Jarrid,
I was operating under the "put your pinky into the hole and feel oil"
directive.
However, the plug is about 1/4 inch in diameter. There is NO POSSIBLE way
for me to get my pinky into a 1/4 inch hole. The difference between
bringing the fluid to within a 1/4 inch of the fill hole and filling until
the fluid spills out is very small. I was on a level surface when adding
the oil. It is possible that I have just slightly overfilled the rear end,
but I don't think it is 'way' overfilled.
I agree that the fluid should be drained and refilled to the correct level.
This will be done when I rebuild the rear end - hopefully this fall. What
is the appropriate number of quarts? I looked in my workshop manual and
couldn't find it.
Perhaps my story was not clear. It happened as I described. I suspect that
there must have been some buildup of old oil/grease/dirt just below the
fill hole. I will find out more when I rebuild the rear end.
Brad
"Jarrid Gross (Yorba Linda, CA)" <GROSS(at)UNIT.COM> on 09/15/98 09:37:00 AM
To: alpines(at)autox.team.net, Brad R. Sahr/MIPP/Imation
cc:
Subject: RE: Wheels & Wings '98 Car Show Report
----------
From: Brad R. Sahr
>I also decided to check the rear differential fluid level (how does one do
>this?), by checking to see if I could get more into it. At first, the oil
>spilled out the opening. But I persisted, and once the oil started going
>in, I pumped in almost 3 quarts! Glad I checked it. The strange thing is
>that the rear end has never leaked any oil (i.e. no garage floor spots)
>since I
Brad, I'm confused.
You pulled the fill plug, spilled so oil out it, then proceeded to add
3 or so more qts of gear oil?
If this is trully the case, you have just way overfilled the diff.
Were you on a level surface?
The proceedure for checking the oil level is to remove the
plug, and while on a level surface, put your pinky in the hole.
If you feel oil, all is well.
Level to within 1/4 and 3/4 of an inch of the fill hole should
be acceptable.
If you have overfilled the diff, drain it, and start over.
This time putting in the specified amount of oil.
If the diff is overfilled, the axle seals and the input flange seal
will be swamped all the time, and will leak very soon.
Jarrid Gross
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