Where is the rear diff. fill plug located?

I looked all over the place for it, and I can't see it anywheres.

There was an electrical connection on the top.......do I remove that plug and add it there?

Thanks,

Steve

 

Front of the diff, driver's side, just above the middle rib in the casting.

-Joe

 

Nothing at all........like I stated before.

The only opening I can see is where there is an electrical sensor on the top front of the diff housing. It is held in with another bolt.

Is that where I could top of the diff?

Steve

 

Its right where GIJoeCam says it is. I replaced my rear diff oil last year and used a 3/8 ratcher driver to remove the plug.

 

Lay down underneath it from the driver's side, in FRONT of the back wheel facing the REAR of the truck. It will be above and to the right of the driveshaft on the FRONT FACE of the diff.

http://www.parts.com/partlocator/ind...17&catalogid=1

Look at the rib on the casting that runs from the pinion shaft to the axle tube. It'll be just above that on the driver's side.

It's there, trust me....

I don't have a pic handy.... maybe someone else does....

-Joe

 

Is it just a threaded plug? Just under where the drive shaft goes into the housing on the drivers side of the housing?

That is the only other thing I saw other then the sensor on the top.

Steve

 

Fer cryin' out loud, it's NOT the sensor on the top!!

It's the plug on the driver's side.... it's just below the rib on the 9.75 axle.... I was corn-fuzed for a bit there....

Yes, just below the rib, driver's side of the housing. It's a simple pipe plug and it takes a 3/8 drive extension to fit the square. You may also need to heat the housing gently to loosen the thread locker that holds it in place. It'll be tight.

-Joe

 

So it's not the sensor on top?

LOL........just kidding.

Ok, now that you say it's the 3/8 drive plug, I know exactly where it is and all that.

I was going to remove that last night, but I wanted to make sure that was it before doing anything.

Thanks,

Steve

 

Yuppers, that's it..... Pull the plug, stick your finger in there, and it should be up to within 1/8" of the bottom of the opening.

-Joe

 

I just added some fluid to it, it took quite a bit.

I need to replace my axle seals, but with the winter season here it's hard to get under the truck and tear it apart.

I'll monitor the fluid level, and once spring is here.........I'll be tearing it apart for the new seals.

Steve

 

I'll be into mine tonight. About a year ago I replaced the diff. fluid because of
the chatter I was experiencing in the limited slip. I only used permatex for the seal and now it's leaking from the top and wetting the rear cover.
Just went to advanced auto and picked up some 75w140, friction modifier, gasket and permatex. Hopefully this fix will last longer.

 

You should not have to use a gasket. You only need to use black or blue Permatex. I found the best method was to clean the face on the pumkin and the cover real good and allow them to dry, apply a 1/4" bead all the way around the pumkin face and around the holes. Let it set up for about 15 min. Then install the cover hand tight and let it set for another 15 min, then tighten to spec. I then let it sit for about an hour before adding fluid and letting it set for another 8+ hours before driving. Needless to say I did mine a night before I went to bed. I also have the 9.75" rear, so there is no gasket for it, 8.8 should be the same way, even though the aftermarket makes a gasket.

 

Ditto.... I never use a gasket unless there was one there from the factory. (On ours, there wasn't)

I've had good luck with blue RTV.... clean both surfaces with some good brake cleaner (or something that won't leave a residue), let it dry, lay a nice bead of blue RTV around all the holes on the cover and around the perimeter. Squish the cover on, and torque the bolts all evenly in stages. Let the RTV set-up for a couple hours (the longer, the better), then fill it. I've never had one leak after that.

-Joe