How to check Differencial oil

[Monkey276]

I has a 1996 4.0L HC. My diff is getting a bit noisy and want to know how to check and replace the fluid?

[that daddy]

how noisy monkey? changed my oil also,bit of a pain to get to filler but can be done just fiddly and thats using a ramp,i have a feeling ill being dropping my diff out over the winter im not happy with it, sounds like pinion bearings are starting to collapse maybe im just to fussy.mines got big mileage though.sometimes barely noticable other times more pronounced,bloody ears playing tricks,trouble is im in the garage trade so it tends to make you more critical.

[TVRobin]

Hi Monkey, the diff has two plugs, a drain and a fill. The drain is very obvious; the fill is on the back of the diff and is difficult to reach with the Allen key that is required to open it. There may be a special tool, mine looks like it has been removed with mole grips though! I would advise a cold exhaust (or you will burn yourself getting to the plug) and get the car high enough to get completely underneath it. You will also need some sort of pump to get the oil in as there is not enough room to get a 500 ml bottle above the hole.
Good luck, Robin

[TVRobin]

Where in Devon are you?

[seasider]

TVRobin said:

You will also need some sort of pump to get the oil in as there is not enough room to get a 500 ml bottle above the hole.

Or a long pipe into the wheel arch

[TVRobin]

seasider said:

TVRobin said:

You will also need some sort of pump to get the oil in as there is not enough room to get a 500 ml bottle above the hole.

Or a long pipe into the wheel arch

Good idea!

[seasider]

TVRobin said:

seasider said:

TVRobin said:

You will also need some sort of pump to get the oil in as there is not enough room to get a 500 ml bottle above the hole.

Or a long pipe into the wheel arch

Good idea!

Then go make several cups of tea or think of other jobs to do as gloob is a bit thick

[V8 Kieran]

Think someone else mentioned - check you can undo the top one BEFORE draining - in case the bugger is jammed and you then have empty diff!

[that daddy]

well said that man,i wonder if a few people have got bitten with that one.good advice alright.

[GreenV8S]

seasider said:

Good idea!

Then go make several cups of tea or think of other jobs to do as gloob is a bit thick [/quote]

Or warm the gloop first, it runs like water once it is hot.

[seasider]

GreenV8S said:

seasider said:

Then go make several cups of tea or think of other jobs to do as gloob is a bit thick

Or warm the gloop first, it runs like water once it is hot.

I did after the 1st attempt had to hold the bottle in a towel(will i was drinking my tea )

[frankgilbert]

Just checked mine after a so called specialist in Hinckley fixed an oilseal leak, did renew the inner part of the drive shaft but unfortunately I now find out forgot to fill oil to correct level took 500mm 40% of diff capacity.Doubt if any service specialist change oil at 12tho as they should as I had 4 types of oil in my diff when I drained it at 42k. What you need is a 13mm square plug about £3.5 from car part shps,it fits perfectly -difficulty is in getting any socket on it etc had 6.5cm space from my diff from face of plug to back of boot face. The 13mm plug I bought fittted inside a short 19mm socket however was to long to fit ratchet.I had to cut about icm off 8mm square at opposite end of 13mm tool,then fitted 19mm socket over that and wiggled a ratchet onto that after released plug removed this tool combination,if you fully undo filler plug with this combination takes up the play in the 6.5cm available and your b---ered. Once slacked off use a 12mm bar about 7cm long to undo and remove plug use an adjustable spanner--bought an industrial scringe to inject oil took 2mins. Have some 12 mm bar avaiable if any body wants any as had to buy 3ft of the stuff.

[that daddy]

seems funny that ive seen two chims with dealer history,and from what i can see the threaded part of the filler plug as been undone with molegrips/waterpump pliers,very professional......not.time saving for them i suppose.