Differential drain plug /trans service questions

[V10SpeedLuvr]

I was having my transmission and rearend serviced today and the differential drain plug will not come out of the differentail. The tech tried many times to break it loose, but all he ended up doing was rounding part of the plug off. He wants me to come by tomorrow so he can try with a better pair of pliers that he didnt have with him, but even if he does get it loose, I'm going to need a replacement. The Dodge dealer told me itd be atleast a week before they could get one. I really want to get this done now, so does anyone know if the drain plug fits any other type car? I tried some parts houses but they dont even show a listing for the diff. plug on a Viper.

Question 2-After refilling my transmission, he put the plug back in before the fluid stopped running out (he put in 4 full quarts). He said he did this so when the car warmed up to operating temp, itd have the extra fluid there to keep the trans. lubricated. Is this a good idea or should I have him drain the rest of the excess fluid out tomorrow while we're (hopefully) doing the rearend? As always, thanks for the help and advice

 

[Steve-Indy]

Chad, as you recall, I'm NO Viper tech...but I have been servicing our Vipers successfully for several years. In my opinion (and from the refill directions in the Service Manual), your tranny is likely overfilled. One is supposed to fill it to a level that is stated as being: "fluid level should be at the bottom of the fill plug hole"...I read that as NOT running back out.

 

[Joseph Dell]

What Steve said. Tranny fluid should be level with the fill plug hole. go find another tech... fast.

JD

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Thanks guys. Thats what I figured but i wanted opinions from the experts . I've driven the car less than 10 miles since the fluid change (just to get home), so it'll be going back 1st thing tomorrow and get the excess out. There should be no damage done in the approx. 20 miles since the overfill, right?

 

[snampro]

Chad, see what happens when you pay someone to do the work for you? I only trust myself and techs that come highly recommended and don't mind me watching while they work.

I'm sure there's no damage to your trans from the slight overfill. Its really hard to overfill these transmissions by much just because you have to pump the fluid in. Honestly, I doubt the difference is anything to worry about. Most of the excess fluid would run out the hole before he could get the plug back in. The only way to significantly overfill would be having the car at an angle that would elevate the fill hole relative to the rest of the trans.

Next time bring it up to my place. Neither of these jobs is very difficult and I don't even have a drain plug on my diff.

Good luck.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Hey Ben, I was walking around the house this morning with the service manual saying how easy these jobs would be if I had a rack. So I take it to a shop and all this junk happens. Next time, I'll give you a call.

 

[snampro]

Well, I don't have a lift, but I'm pretty good at getting the car off the ground with ramps, jacks and jack stands. Works for me.

Like I said in the belt post: Have a relationship with a great car, do the work yourself.

If I get my hands on some Viper wheel dollys I'll be able to use the lifts on the Reserve base in Marietta or the one's at Robbins

 

[Jay Herbert]

I was having my transmission and rearend serviced today and the differential drain plug will not come out of the differentail. The tech tried many times to break it loose, but all he ended up doing was rounding part of the plug off. He wants me to come by tomorrow so he can try with a better pair of pliers that he didnt have with him, but even if he does get it loose, I'm going to need a replacement. The Dodge dealer told me itd be atleast a week before they could get one. I really want to get this done now, so does anyone know if the drain plug fits any other type car? I tried some parts houses but they dont even show a listing for the diff. plug on a Viper.

Question 2-After refilling my transmission, he put the plug back in before the fluid stopped running out (he put in 4 full quarts). He said he did this so when the car warmed up to operating temp, itd have the extra fluid there to keep the trans. lubricated. Is this a good idea or should I have him drain the rest of the excess fluid out tomorrow while we're (hopefully) doing the rearend? As always, thanks for the help and advice

1) Do you mean differential filler plug? I'm pretty sure by '96 the drain plug was gone. The explanation was "to reduce service issues relating to a loose plug", I always believed it was just to save cost by not having to drill and tap the hole for the plug and eliminating the cost of the plug. I like drain plugs as they allow you to get all the old fluid out. Had one added to my diff. Here is a link to the instuction on this in the how to area:

"How-To" install a diff drain plug

Also, did he put in the small bottle of friction modifier/additive?? If he didn't make sure he does, it is necessary for the limited slip clutches to work correctly. Warning, this stuff stinks to high heaven.

2) Have him drain the "extra". More is not better in a transmission, fluid level matters, just like in an engine.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

1) Do you mean differential filler plug? I'm pretty sure by '96 the drain plug was gone. The explanation was "to reduce service issues relating to a loose plug", I always believed it was just to save cost by not having to drill and tap the hole for the plug and eliminating the cost of the plug. I like drain plugs as they allow you to get all the old fluid out. Had one added to my diff. Here is a link to the instuction on this in the how to area:

"How-To" install a diff drain plug

Also, did he put in the small bottle of friction modifier/additive?? If he didn't make sure he does, it is necessary for the limited slip clutches to work correctly. Warning, this stuff stinks to high heaven.

2) Have him drain the "extra". More is not better in a transmission, fluid level matters, just like in an engine.

1. Yeah I meant the differential filler plug. Sorry for the terminology error. He never got the filler plug out, so we never got to the part of adding the new fluid or the friction modifier. I do have both though for when we do get the plug out. We will continue that battle in a week when Dodge gets the new filler plug in to replace mine when it finally comes off.

2. I spoke to him tonight and told him I'd be by 1st thing tomorrow to get the extra drained.