LOST JEEPS :: View topic - Can front dif fluid be changed without removing skid plate?

I just did my front diff, and I wouldn't think you could get to the fill plug without removing the skid plate.

I couldn't get my own plate off (darn bolts were stuck and one was already snapped and replaced from the last fluid change). t.

To get to the front diff, you have to drop this "cowbell" housing to get to the diff. I can't see how you would drop that without removing the skid plate so it would clear. I think it would be more of a pain to try and change the fluid with the skid and housing attached that with them removed (minus the part where the cowbell keeps danging around and hitting you in the head since it is bolted to the frame in such a fashion that you can't get the bolt all the way out and take the cowbell off entirely).

Pablo wrote:

I never had to drop what you call the "cowbell housing" to change the fluids.

Just loosen and remove the filler plug using a socket extension
Loosen and remove the hex drain plug.
drain
replace drain plug
fill until its coming out the fill plug
replace fill plug.

Author:	Big Montana [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:07 am ]
Post subject:	Can front dif fluid be changed without removing skid plate?
I had the service performed in December because I couldn't get my own plate off (darn bolts were stuck and one was already snapped and replaced from the last fluid change). I took it to a dealer and asked for my second dif and Tranfer case fluid changes. I paid $245. This summer, I was changing the oil and noticed that the bolts on the skid plate are in the exact same position as when I gave up in December. Do techs have a machine that can suck the fluid out of the front dif? I am afraid they never did it.

Author:	RTStabler51 [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:09 am ]
Post subject:
I just did my front diff, and I wouldn't think you could get to the fill plug without removing the skid plate.

Author:	yakers [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:28 pm ]
Post subject:
RTStabler51 wrote: I just did my front diff, and I wouldn't think you could get to the fill plug without removing the skid plate. X2 If there is a way to do it without removing the plate it would require some special tools and or special human extremities.

Author:	bugnout [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:38 pm ]
Post subject:
Its easy to remove the engine skid, loosen 2 rear bolts, remove 2 front bolts and pull it out.

Author:	dritchie [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:52 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Can front dif fluid be changed without removing skid pla
Big Montana wrote: I couldn't get my own plate off (darn bolts were stuck and one was already snapped and replaced from the last fluid change). t. Ahhh, that good old Michigan salt at work again.....( I grew up there)

LOST JEEPS http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/

Can front dif fluid be changed without removing skid plate? http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=45465	Page 1 of 1

Author:	Pablo [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:35 pm ]
Post subject:
To get to the front diff, you have to drop this "cowbell" housing to get to the diff. I can't see how you would drop that without removing the skid plate so it would clear. I think it would be more of a pain to try and change the fluid with the skid and housing attached that with them removed (minus the part where the cowbell keeps danging around and hitting you in the head since it is bolted to the frame in such a fashion that you can't get the bolt all the way out and take the cowbell off entirely).

Author:	bugnout [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:53 pm ]
Post subject:
Pablo wrote: To get to the front diff, you have to drop this "cowbell" housing to get to the diff. I can't see how you would drop that without removing the skid plate so it would clear. I think it would be more of a pain to try and change the fluid with the skid and housing attached that with them removed (minus the part where the cowbell keeps danging around and hitting you in the head since it is bolted to the frame in such a fashion that you can't get the bolt all the way out and take the cowbell off entirely). I never had to drop what you call the "cowbell housing" to change the fluids. Just loosen and remove the filler plug using a socket extension Loosen and remove the hex drain plug. drain replace drain plug fill until its coming out the fill plug replace fill plug.

Author:	Big Montana [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 4:26 pm ]
Post subject:
All I'm saying is that I think the plate was never removed at the dealer. If they did remove it, they didn't put the two bolts back in all the way. It looks like I was robbed.

Author:	bugnout [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 4:49 pm ]
Post subject:
Wow my apologies, I was heading down the wrong path. Yes some service shops can and do pump out the oil. BUT The front diff drain hole is very close to the skid plate, don't think it can be removed without removing the skid plate. The fill hole is high on the motor side of the diff. Its pretty tough to get out with the skid plate removed Can't imagine doing it with the skid plate installed.

Author:	Pablo [ Fri Jul 31, 2009 6:57 pm ]
Post subject:
bugnout wrote: Pablo wrote: To get to the front diff, you have to drop this "cowbell" housing to get to the diff. I can't see how you would drop that without removing the skid plate so it would clear. I think it would be more of a pain to try and change the fluid with the skid and housing attached that with them removed (minus the part where the cowbell keeps danging around and hitting you in the head since it is bolted to the frame in such a fashion that you can't get the bolt all the way out and take the cowbell off entirely). I never had to drop what you call the "cowbell housing" to change the fluids. Just loosen and remove the filler plug using a socket extension Loosen and remove the hex drain plug. drain replace drain plug fill until its coming out the fill plug replace fill plug. That is right, we had to take my cover off for the gears and DTT, but you don't for simple fluid changes. My bad.

Page 1 of 1	All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/