Rear diff drain plug idea

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 4:38 pm

I have an idea to put a drain plug in the rear diff. Going to change the front & rear diff gear lube. Since i'll be removing the cover to drain the oil, i thought I could drill a 1/2" hole and put a oil pan drain plug kit. So next time it be easy to drain the oil. Would this cause a problem??

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=115+%2D42064+%2D98924+%2D99516

EugeneTheJeep06 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 5:38 pm

I dont think that would be a good idea, being exposed on the rear diff it could be broken off without you knowing until it was too late !!!

bighause · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 5:47 pm

It would be pretty hard to tap threads into the cover since it is pretty thin metal. You would have to weld in a nut that you could screw a drain pulg into, that would be a big hassle and you still wouldn't be able to drain the fluid all the way out since there would be no way to mount it low enough on the cover. It would be nice to have a drain plug, I wouldn't try it though.

wolcott · **Joined:** Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:16 pm **Posts:** 108

It should work fine. I have a Bluetorch differential cover on mine, and I drilled and tapped it for a 1/8" pipe plug (the cover is about 1/4" thick). When you are drilling the differential from the bottom, just look out that you do not break thru too fast and hit the ring gear--you might want to put a block of aluminum over the area where the drill would break thru. Rather than using an auto oil drain plug, I'd recommend putting in a 1/8" socket head pipe plug, this will let you drain the oil (slowly) and would be immune to being damaged. Just be sure to pack the socket with grease so it won't rust. Also, be careful about leaving metal chips.

QuietOutdoorsman · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 7:09 pm

You definitely do not want to do that right into the diff. housing. Bad idea there. If you get one of the heavy aftermarket differential covers you can do it in there. Just make sure you drill and tap it before putting installing the new cover for the same reasons already mentioned.

cowpie · **Joined:** Mon Jul 25, 2005 9:00 am **Posts:** 26

It would make more sense to install a reusable silicone gasket.
I know it is a pain in the butt to scrape off all the old rtv silicone from the housing and the cover, but you need to remove the cover to get out the metalic sludge that is stuck to the magnetic strip inside the lower part of the housing.

If you just use a drain, how are you going to remove the metallic gunk that builds up and sticks inside?

wolcott · **Joined:** Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:16 pm **Posts:** 108

I could not agree more with the poster who suggested a removable, reusable gasket for the differential. If anyone knows who makes such a gasket for the jeep, I'd be delighted to use it.

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 1:07 pm

Where could get a reusable gasket for the Corp 8.25"?

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 1:59 pm

I brought this idea up a few months ago and the consensus here then was that a drain plug would work fine but you'd have to make sure it didn't come into contact with the ring gear inside. I since then have used a Dremel tool to scrape the old sealant off the cover when I change fluid and it makes the job go by faster. I have decided not to try and do the drain plug idea...I guess it would be better to just remove the cover and inspect the gears every 30K miles.

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 5:38 pm

I going to change the diffs next month. The front uses 75w140 and the rear is 75w90. Would it hurt if I used 75w140 in the rear? Or 75w90 is the front? Basically, I just want to buy 4 qts. of the same grade of oil, if possible.

Decided to go with RTV lube. I heard people say red, black, grey, blue, etc... Which one is the best, or does it matter?

NomadKJ · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 6:18 pm

http://www.lubelocker.com/

QuietOutdoorsman · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 7:00 pm

NomadKJ wrote:

http://www.lubelocker.com/

The Dana 35 one? That sounds like it would be great, and I'm about to change my diff. fluids anyway.

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 7:06 pm

Dana 35 are quite rare in KJ's. Most of them are Chrysler 8.25". LubeLockers dont offer gaskets for the 8.25.

Neal · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 8:03 pm

yes they do

benmar2000 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 8:03 pm

Lubelocker is offered in the Chrysler 8.25

http://www.lubelocker.com/products/catalog.html

You will see it listed...

Benn

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 8:26 pm

benmar2000 wrote:

Lubelocker is offered in the Chrysler 8.25

http://www.lubelocker.com/products/catalog.html

You will see it listed...

Benn

17 bucks for a gasket!! How long is it reusable for?

benmar2000 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:29 pm

Not sure.. Atleast once for a trail fix type of situation... But the beauty of it is you don't have to scape and stuff when you do change your diff fluid... I hate scaping the diff to make sure you get all the RTV off.. That is a pain in the butt...

Ben

Stuhlie · **Posted:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 1:39 am

I'll be changing my fluids also in the rear end ! the LUBE LOCKER looks great ! So do I have the 8.25 rerend in a 03 Sport
Liberty ? Great info over heree on this site ! Glad I jioned here

kickit_in4wheel · **Posted:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 1:55 am

Quote:

I going to change the diffs next month. The front uses 75w140 and the rear is 75w90. Would it hurt if I used 75w140 in the rear? Or 75w90 is the front? Basically, I just want to buy 4 qts. of the same grade of oil, if possible.

Decided to go with RTV lube. I heard people say red, black, grey, blue, etc... Which one is the best, or does it matter?

Hey jeepkj02, I'd say put 75W140 all around. My 2002 owner's manual says that for heay duty use, or towing, 75W140 is recommended for the rear diff too. I would not recommend putting the 75W90 in the front, but only because it doesn't say you should. I am sure others have, and I have not ready any horror stories yet about the wrong viscosity gear oil destroying anything, so you'll probably be fine. Where are you going to buy it? I have not see gallon containers of 75W90 synthetic or 75W140 synthetic for sale at any of the autoparts stores. It would probably be easier to just get four 1 quart bottles, since they are easier to maneuver for squirting the oil through the fill holes.

I used the black RTV last time that says "maximum oil resistance."

Rick

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:36 am

Just for reference...my wife's 04 KJ and my 05 KJ both call for 80W90 fluid in the front diff. So I don't think I'd use the heavy stuff up front.

Our owners manuals both call for 75W90 in the rear, unless you tow or work your Jeep pretty hard...in that case it says 75W140.

Rear diff drain plug idea

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