Alexander Gurr Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 My final fluid check is the diff, but I am really struggling to see how I get to the filler plug with the de-dion tube in the way. I have one of the new BMW diffs and there is very little clearance between the diff and the de-dion. Is it another pig of a job like the gearbox, or am I best to un-bolt rear dampers and jack the de-dion tube right up out of the way? Cheers, Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 Just checked my (Ford) diff oil level. Took boot floor out and it was easy from above. Car on wheels on ground. You can jack car under middle boss at rear of A-frame to adjust heights between diff and de-Dion if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexander Gurr Posted October 15, 2011 Author Share Posted October 15, 2011 Thanks Ian.....this is going to have to be a job for next weekend as I need to spend some time with the family tomorrow and it is back to work Monday. I am gutted, as I feel I am only 1 - 2 days off finishing, but rather than rush these last stages I will wait until next weekend to have a look. Cheers, Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter clarke Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 Did the same as STM25 couple of weeks ago. Also Ford diff. Not alot of clearance but quite quick and easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z3MCJez Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 Alex, When you race, you'll find diff oil coming out of the breather under sustained cornering. The workshop solution is to put a bigger breather pipe with a large circle in the tube, but I had a breather pipe installed with a small catch tank in the boot. Why do I tell you this - because it makes topping up via the breather really easy. If the BMW diff means access is very tight, this would be an additional benefit. Jez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billyboy Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 Quoting Z3MCJez: Alex, When you race, you'll find diff oil coming out of the breather under sustained cornering. The workshop solution is to put a bigger breather pipe with a large circle in the tube, but I had a breather pipe installed with a small catch tank in the boot. Why do I tell you this - because it makes topping up via the breather really easy. If the BMW diff means access is very tight, this would be an additional benefit. Jez How does one get the oil at the correct level using this method http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTSJQAIUD59sh9XrQCahYeTaiaCa-WF2FyWOjn0j_2EwF1wzMLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adz Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 alex, had exactly the same problem, what i did was find a bolt with the right size head to fit in the 14mm allen socket, cut down the thread to a few mm and screw it into a hole drilled in a piece of flat steel bar , i then tack welded it. This gives me a low profile spanner that fits into the diff with the de deon in situ. Afterwards I realised I could have done the same thing with cutting down the bolt, filing some flats on the thread and using a spanner or thin mole grips to hold it. I filled my diff with the car not level, as a result I think i overfilled it as diff oil leaked out the seals on every drive in alarming quantities, I was suspecting the seals when the leak just stopped, I unscrewed the diff filler plug and the oil was at the right level. So if you top up using the breather, you still need to unscrew the hex plug to check level. hope this helps adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billyboy Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 So if you top up using the breather, you still need to unscrew the hex plug to check level. My point 😶🌫️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 I fill from the top now. When you have a known good level, make youself a dipstick enabling you to check the level through the top fill/breather in future Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
virden Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 I top up my live axle via the breather hole using a 150mm syringe and a piece of plastic tubing. Both cadged from my friendly vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z3MCJez Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Quoting ECR: I fill from the top now. When you have a known good level, make youself a dipstick enabling you to check the level through the top fill/breather in future Like this ... Anyway, once you know the breather isn't losing any diff oil (because it can't) then this isn't something that needs to be regularly checked ... Jez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millsn Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 I found that I could attach a plastic pipe directly onto the Ford LSD plastic oil bottle. I could then fill from below. I recall the same trick for filling the gearbox oil. Chances are I used tubing from a fishshop given my hobby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now