HELP - Differential Plug

[sbkim]

I just got done changing my rear differential fluid. What a major pain the rear. Make sure you get a good hand pump and long hose. It was one messy procedure.

For some reason, my plastic drain plug won't screw in all the way. Such that oragne "diff fluid only" sign is dangling. Is this normal? I know the shop manual states to torque only 15ft/lbs.

Thanks

 

[Steve-Indy]

Yes, the orange sign dangles...do not over torque plug, just check for a leak after a couple of normal runs, and you should be fine.

 

[sbkim]

Wow that was quick! Thanks alot Steve-Indy. For a minute I thought I had misthreaded the plug but i knew I didn't because it worked it nice and smooth.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Yeah, as long as it didn't cross thread, no sweat.

I agree it's a messy job with a hand pump....so, a couple of years ago I fashioned a cheap yard sprayer into a suction device using a small verturi box with an air compressor...have added another even smaller pump-up sprayer to deliver new fluids (be SURE container, hoses, and seals are compatible with the fluid that you're going to put back in)...noting that I NEVER mix the devices with other fluids. This type device also GREAT for delivering tranny fluid...have two...one for Dexton (which, by the way EATS regular clear PE tubing), and one for Syntorq (the Syn. Man. Tran. Lube.)...all of which make fluid changes clean, quick, and NON-MESSY. When Club members stop in, we can change oil, tranny, and diff. fluids in a flash.

 

[sbkim]

Steve-Indy - perhaps you should work on a patent for that design After this evening, I am convinced that I will pay the dealer to do this. The $10 hand pump from Autozone required alot of work! I would highly recommend doing this with an air compressor for sure! I've take 2 showers and I can still smell that damn diff fluid in my hair...

 

[Viper Wizard]

I've take 2 showers and I can still smell that damn diff fluid in my hair...

Welcome to the club!

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

What a major pain the rear.

That's a good play on words. I wish I would have thought of it.

 

[Steve-Indy]

sbkim...easy to make one after a quick trip thru Lowe's...actually, a tech at a dealer borrowed my Syntorq infuser pump, thought that it was SIMPLE to use, light weight... for an investment of only a few bucks, no spilasge and no mess. I prefer to replace the outflow hose with flexible PVC hose (6 ft in length), and add a valve in the middle...works for me !!!

 

[95Viper]

You could have taken the $10 pump from autozone and put the exit tube into a hollow pipe made of anything, even the cardboard roll Christmas paper goes on. Put other end in exit container. When you pump, it won't spray all over the place or on you.

 

[Bo knows]

There is a great article in the "how to" section that explains how to drill & tap the rear end for draining. I did it on mine and it worked out well. It probably doesn't take much longer than trying to **** it out and the next time you change it you'll be done in minutes.

Bo knows

 

[Steve-Indy]

sbkim..."ab" recently made a suction device to remove diff. fluid and oil from a similar setup...AND, HE POSTED the pics !!!

Try this: Fluid extraction in action! Click here!

 

[sbkim]

Thanks for the replies. I am not quite ready to start drilling but I will check out Ab's contraption.

Chuck - that was purely unintentional. Sorry about the poor grammar...I was a bit in a hurry to type.

Off topic here but I want to sincerely thank Chuck Tator and his willingess help out a fellow Viper owner. He spent countless minutes with me on maintenace and parts info. He is always courteous and I feel terrible that I haven't bought a thing yet. I am sure I will come up with something soon

 

[ViperJoe]

Had Tommy Archer "install" a "drain" plug in the bottom of the diff......Can everyone say CAKE when it comes to diff drains

 

[Ron]

Another quite creative solution that Tom came up with was to drill though the bottom cover plate bolt hole. Hides the drain hole so the stock look is maintained, yet drains the oil perfectly well whenever required.