Why a manufacturer would design an axle with no drain plug AND make it virtually impossible to insert a siphon tube is simply beyond me...
I've seen several members recommend drilling and tapping their own drain plugs, but I can't find any photos or write-ups from anyone who has actually done it.
I want this old gear oil OUT, but I'd like to see someone else succeed in tapping their own plug before I try it myself.
Also wondering if putting a hole in the case will compromise its integrity... as in, perhaps that's why it doesn't have a drain to begin with.
1995 Safari front differential-- NO DRAIN PLUG
-
- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 557
- Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2012 12:10 pm
- Location: southeastern ct
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: 1995 Safari front differential-- NO DRAIN PLUG
Does yours look like this? Not my photo-borrowed from a post on the other site
If not you will need to vacuum the fluid out. They make a hand pump vacuum for just such things
If not you will need to vacuum the fluid out. They make a hand pump vacuum for just such things
Captn. Crunch
"I don't beat my rig-I use it to it's maximum potential"
1994 Safari conversion (sold) and miss'n it!
1999 Safari SLE AWD junked
2003 GMC Safari AWD SLT
cast iron Torsen equipped front diff
S-10 leafs-G80 rear w/3.73’s
2” body lift w/Falken Wildpeak AT’s
"I don't beat my rig-I use it to it's maximum potential"
1994 Safari conversion (sold) and miss'n it!
1999 Safari SLE AWD junked
2003 GMC Safari AWD SLT
cast iron Torsen equipped front diff
S-10 leafs-G80 rear w/3.73’s
2” body lift w/Falken Wildpeak AT’s
Re: 1995 Safari front differential-- NO DRAIN PLUG
Decided not to drill/tap a plug. Without seeing the inside of the case, there's just no way to determine its thickness or how close internal differential components would be to the bit. Too risky.Captn. Crunch wrote:Does yours look like this? Not my photo-borrowed from a post on the other site
If not you will need to vacuum the fluid out. They make a hand pump vacuum for just such things
The only hose I could fit through the fill hole to the bottom of the case was some very small aquarium tubing. The tubing that comes with conventional hand-pumps is an absolute no-go. And speaking of hand-pumps... I haven't found one yet that wasn't total garbage. Instead, I pressed the aquarium tubing over a large, catheter-tipped livestock syringe. Far more effective.
Despite wriggling the hose around inside the case as best I could, I could only remove about 1.5 quarts of old oil. Specs say there should be 2.55 quarts in there. So, SO stupid that this differential wasn't designed with a drain plug. Senseless.
-
- ASV Supporter
- Posts: 2060
- Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:27 pm
- Location: Misty Mountains of Cowichan BC.
Re: 1995 Safari front differential-- NO DRAIN PLUG
Ya, Thats just stupid !
They keep makin things cheaper and less freindly to mechanics, in this disposable world.
My Vans all have a drainplug on the front and rear diffs. I like the ol girls.
What year did GM switch over to being so Friggin cheap ! 2003?
They keep makin things cheaper and less freindly to mechanics, in this disposable world.
My Vans all have a drainplug on the front and rear diffs. I like the ol girls.
What year did GM switch over to being so Friggin cheap ! 2003?
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.