First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory?---

[alwayscode390]

I went in to get my rear differential fluid swapped out at the Dodge Dealership ... they couldnt get my fill/drain bolt undone. They told me this was common on FIRST drain/fills.

Something about using thread locker on the bolt from the factory?

They even tried using a torch and notching the bolt ... now they are telling me they have to do a bolt "extraction" which would involve loosening my exhaust to give them room under there.

They ordered a bolt and its $23. They are quoting me 2 hours of labor to extract the bolt and do the drain/fill.

I am not real happy about this , but if it is common I will deal with it ... especially if it will be easy after this is done and I wont have to deal with this again.

The car is a 2001 GTS with 22k miles.

Thanks ---

 

[Stonep185]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

I had to use a 3ft breaker bar to loosen mine. Did they strip the plug? Its a 3/8in allen bit and possible to break it loose without paying all that money to the dealer ship...

 

[alwayscode390]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

I think it may be stripped, they told me I need a new plug.

I saw them under there with a 3 ft breaker and a torch too ---

 

[AFL in NJ]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

Sorry to hear about the problem you're having.

In the how-to section there's a procedure to drill and tap a drain hole at the bottom of the differential. I did it last year and now it's so easy to change my diff fluid.

Regards,
Aaron

 

[Steve-Indy]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

I'm starting to wonder about the "dealership".

 

[alwayscode390]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

Its an actual Dodge dealership ( Five Star / Mid Rivers Chrysler ) ... they didnt put the "viper tech" on the car because he wasnt there.

I figured it wasnt a big deal of a job so I didnt think twice on leaving and coming back.

Now I know to REQUEST that ONLY the Viper tech work on my car.

If he does crappy work too I will try another dealership , its just that this one is the closest to me so I figured I should try it out ---

 

[VIPER BAZ UK]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

I have had a couple round the allen slot due to being to tight..... replaced mine with a SS filler **** no more issues..

 

[alwayscode390]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

Where did you get the SS filler ****?

I just went up there to pick up my bolt and told them they should cover it since they stripped it ... told me no problem.

They will probably just charge me more for the extraction and replacement labor , LOL !!! ---

 

[GTSHolgi]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

Sorry to read about your issues. Acutally, I planned to change the diff fluid by myself this weekend (first time I will do it, if the fluid has been changed ever before, I don't know). But now I am alerted!

I had to use a 3ft breaker bar to loosen mine. Did they strip the plug? Its a 3/8in allen bit and possible to break it loose without paying all that money to the dealer ship...

I thought, it is a 3/8" pipe plug (square not hex)? Or is there a difference between the years (I have a 98 RT/10)?

Holger

 

[alwayscode390]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

The plug they gave me is a 6 sided hex , for the 2001 GTS ---

 

[Mopar Steve]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

I've done several of these, on my Viper and others Vipers as well. Never had a problem. Take your time, stay square with the plug/bolt so not to round it out or strip it. Good luck.

 

[Stonep185]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

Sorry to read about your issues. Acutally, I planned to change the diff fluid by myself this weekend (first time I will do it, if the fluid has been changed ever before, I don't know). But now I am alerted!

I thought, it is a 3/8" pipe plug (square not hex)? Or is there a difference between the years (I have a 98 RT/10)?



Holger

The transmission is a 3/8” square but the diff is a 3/8” allen hex bit

 

[GTSHolgi]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

Understood. Thanks for clarification!

Holger

 

[alwayscode390]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

The plug is pretty deep in the hex too ... Im not quite sure how he was having issues.

I will have to get under there and see how messed up he made it.

Have you guys heard that usually its harder the FIRST time its changed from the factory install, or was he feeding me some BS? Thanks ---

 

[AZTVR]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

They didnt put the "viper tech" on the car because he wasnt there.
Now I know to REQUEST that ONLY the Viper tech work on my car.
If he does crappy work too I will try another dealership ,-

I have had a couple round the allen slot due to being to tight..... replaced mine with a SS filler **** no more issues..

VB UK, So, I wonder if that brands you also as doing crappy work ? Or is it something that could happen to anyone who hasn't encountered that type of plug?

OK, just being semi-funny here. I used a socket allen head adapter and don't remember having an issue; but, my car is not from a wet area where there might be more advanced corrosion of the aluminum to cause this?

 

[Stonep185]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

Exhaust can get in the way. My 3” pipes were a challenge but an extension can allow you to get square to the plug. This may be something they didn't do and caused rounding.

 

[alwayscode390]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

Im pretty sure you hit the nail on the head Stone ... nice Avatar pic BTW ---

 

[GTSHolgi]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

I will give it a try tomorrow. Thanks for the tips provided in this thread, with these I hope it will be straight forward (bought a 3/8" inhex socket for my 1/2" Stahlwille ratchet, also have an extension). I will definitively report back as it is the first time I do it.

I also plan to install a skip shi(f)t eliminator to get rid of this annoying "feature".

Holger

 

[GTSHolgi]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

Good moring,

As promised, here's my report: Did the diff fluid change yesterday. Everything went very smooth. To open the plug I didn't even need to ratchet, I started with a normal 3/8" inhex key (not even a long one) and could open the plug with quite little efforts in terms of force to be applied. Having removed the plug, I saw that it was sealed with some teflon tape (guess, this was not the 1st fluid change). And of course, I had NONE with me. So, I used some Loctite thread locker when I reinstalled the plug (hope, this will not cause an issue next time...). Getting out the old fluid wasn't an issue either as I purchased some time ago an adequate pump. The most tricky step (relatively speaking) was to get the fresh fluid in as I could not use the pump for it. I used the fluid container (1 quart volume) and a short hose from my pump as an extension. I manouvered the container upwards next to the driveshaft on the passenger side (where the fill plug sits) to a level that I could stick the hose into the diff opening and squeeze step by step the fresh fluid from the container into the diff. Of course I added the 4 oz of friction modifier to the fluid and did a "refill" of the empty container with the missing amount of fluid to fill in 45 oz in total (incl. the friction modifier).

So, I would call that a successfull diff fluid swap. Any comments/ideas from your side (hope, I didn't do too much wrong here...)?

BTW: I also installed the skip shift eliminator (12 US$ on eBay) without any problems and works great! Very happy to not be bothered by this anymore!!!

Holger

 

[STL RT/10]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

Hey alwayscode - I know of some local techs I can turn you onto and I'd be happy to help too going forward. Mid Rivers just doesn't see many Vipers. Around here, I think I'd only trust Royal Gate, but I just do all my own work. PM me with your number sometime.

Matt

 

[alwayscode390]

Re: First time rear differential flush swap ... bolt stuck , thread lock from factory

Thanks, nice to meet you Matt.

I keep hearing to trust Royal Gate ... I just moved from that area , and its a little drive now ... but not a big deal.

I may have to bite the bullet and drive a little ways for the peice of mind. ---