magnum434
11/30/2006 10:17:17 AM
Is it as simple as pulling out the plug and the fluid should be up to the bottom of the hole?
swartlkk
12/1/2006 2:44:56 PM
Yup, that's all it is. If there isn't, you can gauge how far down it is with a section of bent wire to act as a make-shift dip stick. This will at least keep you from running oil all over the place if you just go crazy topping it off.
magnum434
12/1/2006 3:05:19 PM
So is there not a drain plug on a 1996? That's what I think I'm hearing...and if there isn't..how do I drain it? I don't have any pump.
20Blazer00
12/1/2006 4:15:53 PM
quote:
ORIGINAL: magnum434
So is there not a drain plug on a 1996? That's what I think I'm hearing...and if there isn't..how do I drain it? I don't have any pump.
From what I remember most GM diffs don't have a drain plug since fluids are supposed to be sealed they don't need replacing as frequently as motor oil, they also don't get as hot as engine oil so they don't break down. So any drain plug found in a cover may be an aftermarket cover.
So to completely drain a diff you have to loosen the cover bolts enough to break the gasket seal and woila instant drain...this design has worked for many decades...
swartlkk
12/1/2006 4:26:34 PM
Well, speaking of rear diffs, yeah, you have to pull the cover. I have never seen it, but word is that some of the IFS diffs didn't have a drain plug and to open the case on one of them would be a major PAIN...
Paddle_grl
12/1/2006 8:41:20 PM
I always use my pinky...for checking anyways...the fluid should be up to your first knuckle when sticking your finger in the top
Jigg
12/1/2006 9:06:43 PM
quote:
From what I remember most GM diffs don't have a drain plug since fluids are supposed to be sealed they don't need replacing as frequently as motor oil, they also don't get as hot as engine oil so they don't break down. So any drain plug found in a cover may be an aftermarket cover.
So to completely drain a diff you have to loosen the cover bolts enough to break the gasket seal and woila instant drain...this design has worked for many decades...
Both of the diffs on my '00 have drain plugs.
swartlkk
12/1/2006 9:10:38 PM
The ZR2 is a different rear (8.625") than the rest of us have. It is possible that they also added a different cover to the rear axle.
Jigg
12/1/2006 9:25:23 PM
quote:
ORIGINAL: swartlkk
The ZR2 is a different rear (8.625") than the rest of us have. It is possible that they also added a different cover to the rear axle.
Yeah, I know... the drain's actually in the casting, the drain is on the front of the diff, not on the cover.
swartlkk
12/1/2006 9:29:59 PM
Oh, plug in the passenger side of the nose is the fill port... Do you have one on the bottom of the casting?
Jigg
12/1/2006 9:42:43 PM
There's one in the bottom of the casting in the front of the rear axle.
In the front diff case, there's a plug in the casting at the bottom of the passenger's side.
