Thread: Diff Filler?????

Originally Posted by Woolly

I thought the rear diff on my 2-door was a bit noisy on a run yesterday, so went to check oil level. However, there doesn't appear to be any means of doing this, or even adding oil. I cannot find a plug on either side of the diff nose or the domed plate on the back of it. The front diff has a plug on the domed cover facing forward, but there is no corresponding one on the rear diff. Wondering if anyone else has struck this and how they managed to fill or check the oil. The only way I can see to do it would be to drain the oil then inject the correct amount in through the breather hole. Any other suggestions would be welcome.
Cheers,
Woolly.

You don't have a diff that looks like this?
Screenshot 2023-07-10 at 3.51.46 pm.jpgScreenshot 2023-07-10 at 3.55.33 pm.jpg

someone has put a later model nose on an early diff. The early ones had a filler on the RH of the nose and the later ones had a filler on the "pan"
Regards PhilipA

The front one is the same as the one in Mercguy’s photos, the back one doesn’t have a plug there or in the right side of the pinion casting where my manual says there should be one. As Philip suggested, it looks like a later diff in the older housing, which means I have to find a way to get oil into it, preferably without pulling it to pieces and putting a plug in the back same as the front one. Ah, the joys of old cars!
Cheers,
Woolly.

Thought about it for a while and decided the easiest way was to pull the axle ( easy because it is on D1 steel wheels) and pump oil in through the hub. Much better than trying to squeeze oil in through the breather hole.

When I put a later metric diff in mine I drilled & tapped a fill hole in the housing,
not the most convenient shape to hold on the table.

EM512527.jpg EM512517.jpg

Unfortunately, I don't have the range of tools Goingbush has, but I am impressed with his jigs to hold the diff casing in the right position. If I ever have to take the diff out, I will try to weld in a boss for a plug in the rear cover of the axle housing; that's more within my capabilities.
Cheers,
Woolly.

FWIW,i had the opposite,a drain plug that was completely rounded off,and wouldn't come out.

I used to siphon the oil out wth a piece of 1/4 copper tube when it needed changing.

Originally Posted by Woolly

Unfortunately, I don't have the range of tools Goingbush has, but I am impressed with his jigs to hold the diff casing in the right position. If I ever have to take the diff out, I will try to weld in a boss for a plug in the rear cover of the axle housing; that's more within my capabilities.
Cheers,
Woolly.

Be aware that the filler plugs in the domed tin part of the diff housing are just that..........filler plugs.

Older diffs had that plug and another the same place as what Goingbush has done (in the cone).

The correct oil level was to the bottom of the hole in the cone, well below the filler plug level.

I just put the correct volume in a pressure pump and put it in. Can't remember the correct volume off the top of my head, but can find it.

Ain't pretty when they're over full.

DL