Where's the plug???

[quinryan]

Looking at the rear diff on my 82 Jimmy, as it looked like it leaking a bit. MUCH to my surprise, I could not see a plug anywhere for either checking fluid level or putting more back in if needed.

Surely GM didn't design this w/o one.

Where is the plug?

Thanks

 

[imiceman44]

Looking at the rear diff on my 82 Jimmy, as it looked like it leaking a bit. MUCH to my surprise, I could not see a plug anywhere for either checking fluid level or putting more back in if needed.

Surely GM didn't design this w/o one.

Where is the plug?

Thanks

Look on the side of the pumpkin, can't remember if left or right side.
It's not on the cover like a DANA axle.

 

[4X4HIGH]

The fill plug is on the side of the casting and will take a 3/8" square drive (3/8" ratchet and extension) to remove the plug.

 

[sweetk30]

pass side up by the pinion.

3/8 square like a 3/8 drive extension,.

remove all dirt/rust/junk from square hole first. then tap in the extension good n tight. or you will round off the plug.

 

[diesel4me]

I hate the stock plug GM uses with the recessed square drive ,I toss them and replace it with a 3/8" NPT plug with a square or hex head on it--had to drill out or weld bolts into too many original ones to get them to come out!..

 

[AJMBLAZER]

I hate the stock plug GM uses with the recessed square drive ,I toss them and replace it with a 3/8" NPT plug with a square or hex head on it--had to drill out or weld bolts into too many original ones to get them to come out!..

Nice to know the thread specs.

I swear it's a rule that diff/trans/etc plugs are made of a metal that corrodes easily yet also strips out at one turn.

 

[max 02]

I hate the stock plug GM uses with the recessed square drive ,I toss them and replace it with a 3/8" NPT plug with a square or hex head on it--had to drill out or weld bolts into too many original ones to get them to come out!..

Hey now there is a mod that I can afford
Good idea, just checked mine the other day if I would have thought of that I would have replaced it,next time.

 

[diesel4me]

I think the stock plug is tourqed with an impact gun at the factory,judging by how many I've had strip out when I go to remove them...I found using just the ratchet with NO extention gives you a better chance of loosening it ,it seems extentions dont fit as tight or are made from softer steel and will round out the square recess in the plug...I've had to heat the diff housing with a torch or weld a bolt into the stock plugs many times..I drilled one out once and used an E-Z out,one of the few times I've NOT busted one off in what I was trying to unscrew!..had to pull the diff cover and wash out all the chips from drilling too..I like using brass pipe plugs with a hex head,or a steel one ...

GM and other makes used those stupid recessed plugs on engine blocks & heads too,and are often impossible to remove ..had many a bad day at the auto parts stores machine shop because of those dam things!...