changing diff oil on defender with rear axle guard

[brendanmac]

I've had my defender for a little while now and would like to change the diff oils. I've watched the Land Rover tool box video's on youtube and they say to use 1/2 inch drive to undo the filler but mine has a "Solid" brand diff guard which appears to have a smaller hex drive at the filler. It looks like it has some sort of sealant on it. Is it simply a matter of undoing this or do i need to undo the guard? What type of sealant should be used when putting it back?

[JoeFriend]

No sealant required, just undo, drain and fill up.

Just put the plug back in before you do.

And take out the filler hole plug before you drain, it helps a fair bit.

[Ranga]

No sealant required, just undo, drain and fill up.

Just put the plug back in before you do.

And take out the filler hole plug before you drain, it helps a fair bit.I was taught to always remove filler plugs first, to make sure you can. This avoids removing drain plugs to find filler plugs unable to be removed, and lubricant unable to be refilled!

[JoeFriend]

I was taught to always remove filler plugs first, to make sure you can. This avoids removing drain plugs to find filler plugs unable to be removed, and lubricant unable to be refilled!Indeed, quite helpful being able to fill it without having to turn the truck upside down haha

[brendanmac]

Thanks guys,

I intend to remove filler plug first as mentioned on the toolbox video - main reason was to listen for hissing which indicates blocked breather.

Any idea why the filler plug would have a sealant? Is it possible the Solid diff guard filler plug is not tapered like the normal filler plug?

[weeds]

Main reason I pull the filler first is to check the level before dumping the oil....

The joys of after market diff covers. The plug should have a washer under it, maybe copper??

[rick130]

Thanks guys,

I intend to remove filler plug first as mentioned on the toolbox video - main reason was to listen for hissing which indicates blocked breather.

Any idea why the filler plug would have a sealant? Is it possible the Solid diff guard filler plug is not tapered like the normal filler plug?I had a Rockcrusher cover which is the same as your Solid, just an earlier version and I always used Hylomar on the plug, more as a thread locker measure.

Actually I do that on any straight or taper plug, just habit.
I'm paranoid about fill or drain plugs coming out.
Hell, I used to lockwire oil filters on race cars! [emoji23]

[DiscoMick]

Recommend you check the manual for the required amount of diff oil and not just assume it's the same as the amount which comes out, if you haven't already.

[DiscoMick]

Maybe I should explain why I said that above.
I'm not familiar with the Solid diff cover. Does it have a higher fill hole than the diff itself? Does that mean that if you fill it to the cover hole, you will put in more oil than if you filled it to the diff hole? If so, the diff could be over-filled, couldn't it?
Also, there's no guarantee the diff currently contains the correct amount of oil.
So, I recommend you check the correct amount to be put in and fill that amount, even if it is different tp what comes out.
Hope that helps.

[rick130]

FWIW the Solid cover is designed for a high pinion Dana 60 so does have a high fill point, but if you just add 2.3l the pull level might be too low as the cover probably ends up giving a different volume to stock.
I used to deliberately overfill (3l) as I was running oil lubricated wheel bearings.

[brendanmac]

FWIW the Solid cover is designed for a high pinion Dana 60 so does have a high fill point, but if you just add 2.3l the pull level might be too low as the cover probably ends up giving a different volume to stock.
I used to deliberately overfill (3l) as I was running oil lubricated wheel bearings.

Sorry if this is stupid question but is the Solid guard an add on that goes over the diff or a stronger replacement cover for the diff?

My bearings are also oil lubricated. I understand that the front are emptied and refilled separate to the diff but not the rear. Is that correct?

[modman]

The solid brand diff cover is a replacement of the original pressed tin diff cover.
It is much stronger and allows a decent diff shave as well😎
rick is spot on👌 3 litres of appropriate oil will do the job.

[rick130]

and allows a decent diff shave as well[emoji41]
rick is spot on[emoji108] 3 litres of appropriate oil will do the job.

Yep, I cut so much off the bottom of the Sals I had to reposition the bottom bolt. [emoji23]

It pretty much mirrored the Rover diff for clearance.