05 Diff drain plug difficulty
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 701
Likes: 2
From: Lewisville TX
05 Diff drain plug difficulty
Alright guys i have read the old DIY post on the Diff fluid change. I had mine up on jack stands and there was no way i was getting even an L-wrench up in there to get to the drain plug. Am i missing something.
I am close to moving the leaf springs so i can do this since I have read this isn't too terribly difficult.
Any advice on this.
Is there more room when the car is on the ground. Really want to do this myself but that leaf spring is SOOO close to the drain plug.
I am close to moving the leaf springs so i can do this since I have read this isn't too terribly difficult.
Any advice on this.
Is there more room when the car is on the ground. Really want to do this myself but that leaf spring is SOOO close to the drain plug.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 279
Likes: 1
From: montrose colorado
Had same problem with my 05, understand GM changed the location of the plug in 06. What I did was to cut the end off of the proper size allen wrench (10mm I think), just long enough to get inbetween the leaf spring and into the plug. Then use the box end of a 10mm wrench to loosen the plug. They are usually very tight.
Good luck
Good luck
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 701
Likes: 2
From: Lewisville TX
Thats a really good idea acutally. I may try it that way thanks. Sounds like it should work.
How was the fill plug to get to on the 05' Any harder than the drain or just probably not a lot of a turning radius with everything around it.
Either way gives me another idea to try.
How was the fill plug to get to on the 05' Any harder than the drain or just probably not a lot of a turning radius with everything around it.
Either way gives me another idea to try.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 133
Likes: 10
From: Cupertino Ca
I did basically the same thing Donald did on my 05. However I was able to pull the 10mm hex bit out of a 10mm hex 3/8 socket I used to use for caliper bolt removal on a old car I had. Pulled the bit out and used the closed end of a combo 10mm wrench on it. Still too short to break it lose. So I used a floor jack handle pipe on the wrench to get it lose. It was really tight.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 701
Likes: 2
From: Lewisville TX
Sounds like just some section of 10mm wrench with the box wrench around it and some leverage will be needed. Bad thing about a clean garage floor is sliding when your trying to open something like that.
Thanks for the tips guys.
Thanks for the tips guys.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Lauderdale FL
Excellent idea! 
Had same problem with my 05, understand GM changed the location of the plug in 06. What I did was to cut the end off of the proper size allen wrench (10mm I think), just long enough to get inbetween the leaf spring and into the plug. Then use the box end of a 10mm wrench to loosen the plug. They are usually very tight.
Good luck
Good luck
Retired & lovin' it!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,472
Likes: 546
From: Jackson NJ
As a caution...make sure you can loosen the fill plug before you pull the drain plug. Would be a b*tch to drain the gear oil & then find for whatever reason, you can't get the fill plug out. Also, if you pull the fill plug, the oil will drain somewhat faster, although in any case, it's not a bad idea to let it drain for several hours to get as much of the old fluid out as possible.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
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From: Thousand Oaks California
Alright guys i have read the old DIY post on the Diff fluid change. I had mine up on jack stands and there was no way i was getting even an L-wrench up in there to get to the drain plug. Am i missing something.
I am close to moving the leaf springs so i can do this since I have read this isn't too terribly difficult.
Any advice on this.
Is there more room when the car is on the ground. Really want to do this myself but that leaf spring is SOOO close to the drain plug.
I am close to moving the leaf springs so i can do this since I have read this isn't too terribly difficult.
Any advice on this.
Is there more room when the car is on the ground. Really want to do this myself but that leaf spring is SOOO close to the drain plug.
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From: Miami FL
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 693
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From: Los Angeles CA
just go buy a set of mid length BALL HEX bit set/sockets.
the ball aspect allows it to work at that angle.
just make sure to get at least mid length so the fat socket part does not hit the leaf spring (which would create too much angle).
just make sure you seat that ball hex fully and tight into the drain plug before you try to turn it, because the ball aspect that allows for angles will also allow it to round out that plug easier.
the ball aspect allows it to work at that angle.
just make sure to get at least mid length so the fat socket part does not hit the leaf spring (which would create too much angle).
just make sure you seat that ball hex fully and tight into the drain plug before you try to turn it, because the ball aspect that allows for angles will also allow it to round out that plug easier.