Diff oil change

[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

[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.

[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

[Dwaynem884]

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.

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.

[bash]

When you get it off weld a nut to it.
Bash

[Dwaynem884]

Finally got a chance to get the car up in a lift to have another whack at it...

It's mad how easier a job gets when you're able to stand upright below the car, it came right off. Went with Castrol EP90.

As with anything with a Lotus, once she knows one thing is fixed, another issue comes along. I didn't drive the car in those few weeks since I first attempted the oil change, it had been a constant weep and I was concerned that there wouldn't be much left in her. In that time she has picked up a lazy eye! Drivers headlight pod won't lift. I suspect a bad connection somewhere but that's tomorrows project, along with a broken milometer in my new daily, an '83 Escort ghia.

[rogbmw]

One of the things I learned a long time ago, was always FIRST make sure you can remove the top fill plug BEFORE removing the bottom drain plug. I had a friend who drained out the oil, then went to remove the top plug only to find out that it would not budge. He had to remove the rearend and drill out the top plug!

[Dwaynem884]

One of the things I learned a long time ago, was always FIRST make sure you can remove the top fill plug BEFORE removing the bottom drain plug. I had a friend who drained out the oil, then went to remove the top plug only to find out that it would not budge. He had to remove the rearend and drill out the top plug!

A valuable lesson indeed!