What tool do I need to remove rear diff plugs?

[Payback45]

I was about to change my rear diff fluid and somehow I missed the fact that I dont have the proper tool to get the drain and fill plug off. So what do I need here?

[jewbaru]

1/2 inch or 3/8 inch breaker bar no?

[Payback45]

I have no idea

[StatGSR]

you should just need a 1/2 inch ratchet. the ratchet head goes into the sqaure hole on the plugs.

here is a how to for u...
http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/powertrai ... hange.html (http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/powertrain/170934-diy-rear-differential-fluid-change.html)

[jewbaru]

though so lol

basically all diffs are the same. no socket, just a breaker bar lol

[Payback45]

awesome. how hard or those plugs to get off??

[jewbaru]

shouldnt be hard at all if you got some leveage. if ur using a lift, ur all set

filling them back up can be a little tricky

im not positive on how urs fills up, but last time i did it i used a small pump, similar to a soap dispense, and pumped the diff fluid through the pump, through a short hose, and into the fill hole

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/08/mxdfsv30a_diff_lube-1.jpg

all in all, quite an easy job if you got a lift, if not, expect to get a little dirty and may a scrapped knuckle or two

and i wouldnt recomend using those little ramps that you drive up onto. leaves the diff at an angle and you can get all the fluid out

[jewbaru]

doesnt everyone love the smell of gear fluid in the morning? lmao

payback, make sure u wear gloves, and keep that shit outta your hair, smells just peachy

[Payback45]

well i wont be using a lift so what do you recommend?

[jewbaru]

think skinny lmao

[jewbaru]

idk, its not terrible to get under there, creeper and some muscle and u should be all set, biggest breaker bar u can get in there and it should come right out.

ive had a couple stubborn ones, but nothing i couldnt handle. just a lot easier with a truck when u can get under there comfortably lol

[Payback45]

so ramps would be a bad idea do to drainage. could i get it on the ramps open the plugs then throw it in N and coast it off the ramps?

[green97gt]

i think your making this more difficult than you need do.

if your using ramps, put the back wheels on the ramps, and jack up the front, or pull the pass side on a curb and the drivers in the street, jack up drivers side, or dig a hole(not a deep hole) in your back yard and back over it....

diff oil stinks, its not something you want to get everywhere by moving the car while the plugs are open.

[95USsubaru]

that just sounds dangerous lol

[StatGSR]

Yea, the car just needs to be level when you drain and fill it, you can do what ever you want the rest of the time.

[Payback45]

just thought i would throw it out there.

[02_Legacy]

one more thing, make sure you can get the fill plug open before you drain it. Someone once told me this and I thought it was very wise lol.

[jewbaru]

i think your making this more difficult than you need do.

if your using ramps, put the back wheels on the ramps, and jack up the front, or pull the pass side on a curb and the drivers in the street, jack up drivers side, or dig a hole(not a deep hole) in your back yard and back over it....

diff oil stinks, its not something you want to get everywhere by moving the car while the plugs are open.


^ i like your first idea with jacking up the front end. if you got a pair of jackstands, you can raise the front end up too, give ya like a foot or so on top of your ground clearance to get in there, and it'd be level.

thats more than enough room

[Payback45]

thanks guys for all the help!

[jewbaru]

im changing my CVs finally thursday into friday. so we'll both be in the same boat. good luck lol

i get to use a lift tho. so i a little bit of an advantage lol

let me know how it goes

anyone kno what kinda fluid i should use? or should i try n dig up the owners manual somewhere lol (im doing the front diff, idk if that makes a difference)

[green97gt]

CV fluid? what now?

[Payback45]

this might be a stupid question but where do place the jack to jack up the front of the car? I normally just jack up one side at a time but if it is going to be on the ramps I would like to avoid having one side higher and all that weight on one side of the car. I know it wouldn't be for very long but still.

[green97gt]

jack up one side on the pinch weld...put on jack stand..or cement block under wheel, repeat to other side.

or if you can get a jack far enough under the car to hit the Xmember at the rear of the motor...dont crush any PS lines.

and i wouldnt get under a car with one jack in the middle up front..but thats just me. i like my insides inside.

[StatGSR]

jack from the engine cross member on the plate that looks like a butt crack... you will see it, looks like [][]

[Payback45]

gotcha. I will check it out

[Payback45]

Super easy job! thanks for all the help. I also changed the valve cover gaskets, the grommets, and spark plug tube things and the spark plugs. its been a busy day!
next job I am putting in a new radiator.

[jewbaru]

lol, indeed, my valve cover is leakin, i gotta change that. easy job. tomorrow im replacing brakes all around, both front CVs, diff fluid change front n rear, rotating my tires and changing my oil..

oh, and my head gasket has finally started seaping. but i guess thats covered under warrenty due to a recall or something? idk

[Payback45]

I noticed while I was under my car that where the mid pipe and muffler meet there was some thick black stuff coming out of where the gasket is. It was clearly coming out nd not something that splashed on it. Any thoughts?

[jey]

Exhaust leak - probably the gasket that goes between the midpipe and muffler is toast.

[grayguy]

maybe it's just bad luck, but every subie diff plug I've ever removed took just about all I could give it...and I'm not exactly a dainty guy.

[jey]

They're usually on there pretty good, it's not something you remove often and it does get exposed to quite a bit of road elements over time. Every diff plug I've ever worked on was pretty tight (Subaru or other brands)

[Huffer]

I've never had a problem with the rear diff plugs - cheater bar on the end of my ratchet, no worries. I do back the car up onto ramps and then jack the front end up to give me more room though.