Can't fill Differential!

[CoastGuardZ]

HELP!!!

I decided to drain and replace the Diff. fluid. I took out the drain plug before seeing if I could remove the fill plug. It is stuck!!!

Can I fill the Diff. from that clear plastic plug on the top of the Diff??? Will 1 quart be enough?

Please help... I have rendered the Z undriveable and it's a beautiful day out!

Nate

[Bambikiller240]

"IF" you can get the plastic breather vent out (without breaking it, remember it's 30 years old!) you could fill from there, but I have no idea what the exact quantity of fluid should be. Have you used something like PB Blaster, or Kroil to help coax the filler plug to loosen? I'd keep trying to loosen the fill plug, maybe with an extension "cheater" bar on your ratchet.

If it was my car, the plastic vent would break the instant I tried to remove it.....and I'd overfill the diff.

PS: Keep this lesson in mind when you go to drain the transmission, although you can fill from the reverse switch if need be.

OH, and use ANTI-SEIZE on all fill and drain plugs!

[CoastGuardZ]

Thanks Carl,

The plastic tube is already out... came out relatively easy and in one piece. the mustache??? bar is in the way and I was trying to use a wrench on the plug... plus it is square and I have no sockets to fit it. I just couldn't get her to budge. I will try it from the top then. On the cap of the vent tube there is an arrow... which direction is it supposed to point to?

thanks,

Nate

[Bambikiller240]

On the cap of the vent tube there is an arrow... which direction is it supposed to point to?

Sorry Nate, I really don't know. I would assume pointing to the rear, but that's just an assumption.

[panchovisa]

I believe the plastic vent tube has a curve on the end that goes into cover. The longer side of tube should go towards the rear (shorter side towards gears).

[auxilary]

you can fill through the tube. r180 is 1.1 or 1.2 quarts, r200 is 1.5, if memory serves. Not all is lost, go to a junkyard, find a matching diff, take that diff. cover and replace yours with it.

you can fill through the overflow tube, and you can top off - worst that will happen is excess will overflow out of that tube, and cover your diff in oil. but you'll know you have enough

[Ed]

On the cap of the vent tube there is an arrow... which direction is it supposed to point to?

thanks,

Nate

It points to the front.

[dogma420]

jack up the back of your Z, slide some of those red ramps under the rear tires....use a large 1/2 inch drive ratchet, and put a pipe on the end, about as long as a baseball bat, and that'll give you enough leverage to get off the most stubborn check plugs...you'll need a 3 inch or so 1/2 drive extension too to get over the mustache bar.

[CoastGuardZ]

Thanks fellas. I finished it up that day by using the vent tube hole, and pointed the arrow forward.

Got lucky.

Nate