Diff oil change

Belts, Plugs, Filters, Fuels, Oils, additives etc..... Told you this might morph into servicing and service items.

Moderator: Board Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
Dwaynem884
Regular Poster
Posts: 137
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2023 17:22
Model: Excel SE
Colour: Calypso Red
Year: 1992
Location: Northern Ireland

Diff oil change

Post by Dwaynem884 »

Wanted to change the diff oil today but that fill plug is a tramp to access.

How has people navigated this one?

My sockets are either to long or too short with the lower wishbone in the way and a spanner just wont get up there.

Tried a knucke too but not enough room to get it twisted round.

Added to that, it seems to be imperial 15/16 whilst the drain plug is 24mm.

Gearbox oil change was a doddle.
Wanting to check the rear brakes too as they seem to be sticking.

Dwayne
1980 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Ghia
1983 Ford Escort 1.3 Ghia
1989 Peugeot 205 1.1 Look
1991 Peugeot 205 1.6 GTI
1992 Lotus Excel SE

Who needs modern cars???

User avatar
Hawaiis0
Senior Poster
Posts: 4307
Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 18:39
Model: Excel SA (No 3); Elite 504
Colour: BRG; Dirty White
Year: 1986
Location: West Oxfordshire

Re: Diff oil change

Post by Hawaiis0 »

Buy a correct size ring spanner and get a 6 foot scaffold pole.

Dont use sockets as when you wind it out it will jam against the wish bone.

Normally they are tight as a Scotsman buying walkers crisps, and go off with a bang they break.

Best done from underneath with car in the air.
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

User avatar
bash
Senior Poster
Posts: 2270
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2005 15:34
Model: Se, V8
Colour: white
Year: 1986
Location: Doncaster
Contact:

Re: Diff oil change

Post by bash »

A flank drive socket cut short with a disc cutter and a 2 foot bar usually works but the last one I did on a mates car also needed heat from my induction heater.

Bash
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.

User avatar
Dwaynem884
Regular Poster
Posts: 137
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2023 17:22
Model: Excel SE
Colour: Calypso Red
Year: 1992
Location: Northern Ireland

Re: Diff oil change

Post by Dwaynem884 »

Hawaiis0 wrote:
Sat Sep 14, 2024 19:19
Buy a correct size ring spanner and get a 6 foot scaffold pole.

Dont use sockets as when you wind it out it will jam against the wish bone.

Normally they are tight as a Scotsman buying walkers crisps, and go off with a bang they break.

Best done from underneath with car in the air.
Yes I've got the busted fingernail as a result of the bang that the drain plug produced! (Only to break the seal, not removed. I know to make sure the fill plug can be removed before all the oil is drained out)

I had the car up on axle stands, but eventually conceded and evaluated that a lift is the only option.

I attempted a spanner but struggled to get in on the head due to the protruding fins on the backplate. Maybe up on the lift will give a better go at it.
bash wrote:
Sat Sep 14, 2024 22:43
A flank drive socket cut short with a disc cutter and a 2 foot bar usually works but the last one I did on a mates car also needed heat from my induction heater.

Bash
Sounds a good idea Bash, will keep it in mind. If we've no joy other wise.
1980 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Ghia
1983 Ford Escort 1.3 Ghia
1989 Peugeot 205 1.1 Look
1991 Peugeot 205 1.6 GTI
1992 Lotus Excel SE

Who needs modern cars???

User avatar
bash
Senior Poster
Posts: 2270
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2005 15:34
Model: Se, V8
Colour: white
Year: 1986
Location: Doncaster
Contact:

Re: Diff oil change

Post by bash »

When you get it off weld a nut to it.
Bash
Image
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.

Post Reply