2012 Rear Differential Fluid Change Help!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 145
Likes: 20
From: Orlando Florida
2012 Rear Differential Fluid Change Help!
I am in the process of trying to change my 2012 rear differential fluid and the plug is covered by the rear leaf spring. After checking through the forums the only useful thing I could find was removing the two 18mm cradle bolts that hold the transmission and differential. Can someone either provide a picture of these bolts or another way to access the drain plug?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 126
From: Toronto
No need to remove anything. I have an 07 and changed my fluid a few years back. 2006 and up an Allen socket will work, that's what I used. 2005 models you had to use an L shaped Allen tool.
http://www.southerncarparts.com/corv...nge-pm-43.html
http://www.southerncarparts.com/corv...nge-pm-43.html
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 433
From: Boca Raton Florida
2012 Rear Differential Fluid Change Help!
Yep no need to remove anything. Just get a socket wrench with the right size extension you will be fine. Changed mine 3 times. However get a good hand pump to fill it up. It is rather tight in there, doable but with the pump much easier
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 79
From: Houston, Tx
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14
It is 8 or 10mm allen and easy to get to. Be sure to remove the fill plug first.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s-for-faq.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s-for-faq.html
Last edited by simplegto; Aug 14, 2015 at 10:34 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 145
Likes: 20
From: Orlando Florida
I will try and take a picture and post tomorrow, but it is impossible to fit a socket or L shaped allen key in. The gap between the leaf spring and the drain plug is about 3-4 inches
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 145
Likes: 20
From: Orlando Florida
No need to remove anything. I have an 07 and changed my fluid a few years back. 2006 and up an Allen socket will work, that's what I used. 2005 models you had to use an L shaped Allen tool.
http://www.southerncarparts.com/corv...nge-pm-43.html
http://www.southerncarparts.com/corv...nge-pm-43.html
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 79
From: Houston, Tx
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s-for-faq.html
This shows how to change an 05.
This is interesting too
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1584642455
This shows how to change an 05.
This is interesting too
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1584642455
Last edited by simplegto; Aug 15, 2015 at 10:42 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 145
Likes: 20
From: Orlando Florida
I've tried there method and I still can't access it. Using the same tool and everything.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 539
Likes: 86
From: Newington CT
ask you're question to the Corvette Mechanic at
c4c5@thecorvettemechanic.com If he doesn't know then it can't be done! LOL
c4c5@thecorvettemechanic.com If he doesn't know then it can't be done! LOL
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 126
From: Toronto
Found your answer Brandon. Forum member Waveguirella has the solution
Half way down the page.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...or-faq-13.html
Half way down the page.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...or-faq-13.html
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 145
Likes: 20
From: Orlando Florida
Found your answer Brandon. Forum member Waveguirella has the solution
Half way down the page.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...or-faq-13.html
Half way down the page.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...or-faq-13.html
Thank you that looks like the allen piece of the socket. Any idea how to remove the allen portion from the socket? I also heard I should try a ball socket.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 11,087
Likes: 1,852
From: Missouri City, TX
A trick you might employ which seemed to help a lot on the 05s is this:
Lower the rear wheels onto blocks so that the full weight of the rear of the car is back on the rear wheels. That will change the arc of the single leaf rear spring back to normal and should provide more clearance for your wrench above the spring.
Lower the rear wheels onto blocks so that the full weight of the rear of the car is back on the rear wheels. That will change the arc of the single leaf rear spring back to normal and should provide more clearance for your wrench above the spring.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 126
From: Toronto
Just cut a piece off an allen wrench to the size shown in the pics and you should be good to go
Last edited by crusher1; Aug 18, 2015 at 06:32 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
I have a 2013 and have been wondering how to do this as well. My car has the same problem with the rear leaf spring in the way and hardly any space at all under the drain plug. A socket sure won't fit under there. I'll try a L wrench tomorrow and see if that fits, if not I guess I'll try cutting my 10mm allen socket piece off...