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Dave
Dodge Dakota
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2/27/2002
07:55:01

Subject: Basic Q- how do I get the Diff Oil out?
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I have a 98 Dak 3.9, there's no Drain Plug in the bottom of the Rear Differential, all I see is a Hard Rubber type plug in/on the Differential Cover, do I pop that out & then syphon the gear oil out?


thx



Big Blue QC
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2/27/2002
08:15:25

RE: Basic Q- how do I get the Diff Oil out?
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That is your best bet. When I had mine changed the tech. at the dealer had said they had too many vehicles come back for the cover leaking because they had removed the cover to drain the fluid. Could have also been how they sealed it back up. Good Luck.

2002 QC Sport 4x4, 4.7L, auto, Patriot Blue, Tire & Handling group,
Heavy Duty Service group, Leer cap w/out windows, Mopar Step bars and roof rack, Rhino liner in bed and on step bars,
3.55 rear, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, all possible fluids are AMSOIL

HSKR
Dodge Dakota
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2/27/2002
08:35:15

RE: Basic Q- how do I get the Diff Oil out?
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I think you woudl want to remove the cover to be able to inspect the differential for any signs of premature wear. Also it will get out all the debree that has settled to the bottom. I've had mine drained and refilled 4 times since I've owned and they removed and resealed the cover everytime. Never had it leak once.







kota on 20s
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2/27/2002
10:21:17

RE: Basic Q- how do I get the Diff Oil out?
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i agree with HSKR, take the cover off. mine has never leaked either. just make sure to plug your nose. that gear lube stinks!

Eric



Matt Barret
Dodge Dakota
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2/27/2002
10:34:18

RE: Basic Q- how do I get the Diff Oil out?
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Premature wear ?? What exactly are you looking for when you are inspecting the ring, pinion, spider gears??? It's not like you're going to correct anything at that point. If you were to see something bad internally it's time to replace anyway.

Matt




HSKR
Dodge Dakota
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2/27/2002
10:54:23

RE: Basic Q- how do I get the Diff Oil out?
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You are correct Matt, but if you don't take it off, how will you know if anything is goin bad or not?? Just wait till it stops working and then be possibly stranded?? It's better to catch something early through inspection than to wait for it to just die on you!!! I'm sorry, I guess my common sense way of doing things doesn't work well for some people.





Geoff
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2/27/2002
11:12:17

RE: Basic Q- how do I get the Diff Oil out?
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I did mine myself, it was a pain in the ass and that lube does STINK resealed it with copper RTV no leaks. I think if you wanted to you could drill a hole and install a drain plug. I was looking through some broceures at my Dodge Delaer and they charge $79.99 for rear diff. service and an additional $40 for synthetic !!! All i had to pay for was the lube (less then $20) and a tube of RTV $4

Get dirty, do it yourself, save money, buy mods



Geoff
2000 3.9L RC Sport. Flame Red. 5-speed, 3.55, Airaid, Vortex Muffler, F&B 48mm TB, 180 T-Stat, Autolite 3923s, IAT Adjuster, Clear Corners, SS Grill Insert, JBA Plug Wires, Underdrive Crank Pulley. Hurst Shifter, Removed Clutch Fan, Sony CDX-MP450X MP3, Infinity Reference Speakers

Matt Barret
Dodge Dakota
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2/27/2002
11:25:46

RE: Basic Q- how do I get the Diff Oil out?
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I can't argue the "being stranded part" but my common sense says that if you've got damage severe enough to leave you stranded, the chances of you actually seing something in the "early stages" while changing the oil is slim to none.

Again I ask, what are you looking for? What signs of "early stage" wear are you looking for?

I have driven around for litterally years with gear sets that have a chipped tooth and never had problems. Its been my observation through experience, that the rear is either going to absolutley fail, or not. You may get some whinning, or some clunking but it will continue to operate. Inspection is not going to help you there.

Stress fractures are what usually cause eventual breakage.. if you can see a stress fracture while changing lube, then consider yourself very lucky because its about 2 seconds from breaking.
Some Stress fractures can survive for a long time without totally failing.

Matt




HSKR
Dodge Dakota
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2/27/2002
11:34:24

RE: Basic Q- how do I get the Diff Oil out?
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Those people with the limited slip differnetials would be able to inspect the clutches, and by removing the cover as stated earlier will ensure you get all the debri that coudl cause more dmage later on. I wouldn't want some small peice of gear that chipped off getting caught in the gears because I didn't drain the diferential all the way and merely sucked out what I could with a pump. To each his own, but I say take the safer route and just remove the cover. I guess it's like me changing the oil every 3K even though I use synthetics and they say you shoudl be able to go 7-10K before changing with synthetics. Better safe than sorry!!!





HSKR
Dodge Dakota
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2/27/2002
11:53:53

RE: Basic Q- how do I get the Diff Oil out?
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You can either half azz the job, or do it correctly. Which do you prefere???





Dave
Dodge Dakota
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2/27/2002
12:09:10

RE: Basic Q- how do I get the Diff Oil out?
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Thanks to all for the quick responses, ill take a stab at it, I also have a pump I use to drain the Engine oil from my Boat Engine, that may also work effectively, although it would not allow for the "inspection" part of the task.

thanks again



TigerDak
Dodge Dakota
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2/27/2002
12:14:18

RE: Basic Q- how do I get the Diff Oil out?
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This is how I drained mine:

First, you should see about 10 bolts holding the cover plate on. Loosen all of them, except one of the bolts at the top to hold it on. Then, starting with one of the bottom bolts, proceed until you go back and forth, working your way up to the top. Slowly, it will come pouring out into your oil bucket. After you unbolt all the bolts, working your way up to the top, you will still leave that top one loosened, but dont remove it. This will just leave the cover plate on there without falling off.

After about 4-5 bolts removed, the oil will be pouring out at a steady flow. Just dont forget you can leave one of the top ones loosened and not removed to hold the plate in place.



Geoff
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2/27/2002
12:57:09

RE: Basic Q- how do I get the Diff Oil out?
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Wow that sounds good but here is how mine went. Removed all bolts except one. then nothing. the RTV that was there held tenaciously i had to pry off the cover. then spend 30 minutes cleaning off the old RTV. Not difficult just suprised me when it was stuck on there.

Geoff
2000 3.9L RC Sport. Flame Red. 5-speed, 3.55, Airaid, Vortex Muffler, F&B 48mm TB, 180 T-Stat, Autolite 3923s, IAT Adjuster, Clear Corners, SS Grill Insert, JBA Plug Wires, Underdrive Crank Pulley. Hurst Shifter, Removed Clutch Fan, Sony CDX-MP450X MP3, Infinity Reference Speakers

Ron
Dodge Dakota
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2/27/2002
19:03:01

RE: Basic Q- how do I get the Diff Oil out?
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Is the hole with the plastic plug threaded? Does it just pop out? Can a regular steel plug be threaded in like all the other cars I've ever owned?



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