Thread: How to fill the diff?

The filler plug should be at the back on the pressed metal section (like the front diff).
If it's definitely not there, it's been welded up for some reason or the cover has been replaced.


Have a look in the workshop manual & see how much oil it's supposed to take. Remove an axle & tip in the required amount through the axle tube.




The plugs are a tapered thread so if someone in the past has used sealer & cranked it up, then it will be awful tight to remove.

Hmmm, never seen one without a plug.

On the stuck front one - I have seen these very tight, but nothing a 3 foot breaker bar didn't fix. Not sure what you're using, but get something longer.

'With a long enough lever you can move the earth'

Meh. Get a hand pump, unscrew the diff breather, adapt a hose fitting and pump the required amount of oil into the diff. Allow the air out every 1/2 litre or so. On my '79 the filler plug is a square headed thing in the diff centre casting, facing upwards on the RHS not far from the rear face. If your diff centre has been replaced by a later model one yours may simply be missing. My '89 has the plug in the banjo as normal and none in the centre. Pic taken through RH wheel arch.

remove the breather and fill from there, be sure to have plenty of time to spare. those little pumps on the 1 litre bottles are handy but take about 300 pumps per litre , good workout.

Yep, that photo looks like my front diff, but the little square plug in question is nowhere to be seen on the rear one.

I'll try the breather route for my next attempt.

Originally Posted by bee utey

Meh. Get a hand pump, unscrew the diff breather, adapt a hose fitting and pump the required amount of oil into the diff. Allow the air out every 1/2 litre or so. On my '79 the filler plug is a square headed thing in the diff centre casting, facing upwards on the RHS not far from the rear face. If your diff centre has been replaced by a later model one yours may simply be missing. My '89 has the plug in the banjo as normal and none in the centre. Pic taken through RH wheel arch.

That's a reasonable oil leak you have up wind somewhere

cheers, DL

I would have to say: You mate, are **** out of luck, you poor bugger.

Originally Posted by igould

Yep, that photo looks like my front diff, but the little square plug in question is nowhere to be seen on the rear one.

I'll try the breather route for my next attempt.

Originally Posted by 350RRC

That's a reasonable oil leak you have up wind somewhere

cheers, DL

Nonono, that's authentic LR antirust treatment.....probably from a couple of engines ago...