can i fill my diff with gear oil while it is out of the car?

[merrill]

I currently have the rear axle out of my 66 for refurbishment.

is it acceptable to fill the differential (rear end) with gear oil while it it out of the car?

it would be so much easier to remove the breather and put in the oil in while it is out rather than fill it installed in the car.

thanks in advance
matt

[ja17]

Yes, you can, but , make sure the axles are level (if yo use the fill level hole) or you use the proper spec. for the amount to fill.

[merrill]

Thanks Joe

yes i would keep the axles level and could fill and then remove the level drain plug to ensure i have not overfilled the unit.


Matt

[wwheeler]

Here is something similar to what I used for this job. https://www.ebay.com/i/202711422732?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=202711422732&targetid=503482144924&device=c&adtype=pla&googleloc=9026915&poi=&campaignid=1669934825&adgroupid=65058350099&rlsatarget=pla-503482144924&abcId=1139296&merchantid=6296724&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIodTFk5Ke4wIVyISzCh184AKKEAQYBiABEgLqofD_BwE

Also good for manual transmissions.

 

[merrill]

hi Joe,
 not sure why i asked about using the vent to fill the axle when the fill plug was right in front of me....

anyway, with the axles level with the diff i was only able to get 2 quarts in before it started to come back out.

I guess I will re check after the axle is installed and i have a few miles on it.

thanks again

[Shvegel]

I drive a Land Rover LR4 and I needed to do a major fluid swap(Axles, transfer case and auto trans).  I never look forward to messing with gear oils etc and I find the installation a pain with suction guns etc.  You always seem to knock over a quart of gear oil and make a mess. On the boat I use gardening spray cans for our various gear lubes etc so I bought a couple of these from Home Depot(One for gear lubes and one for the ridiculously expensive trans fluid) threw the nozzle away and never looked back.  You can just dump all your trans fluid or axle lube into the bottle in one go, pump it up and fire away.

https://www.amazon.com/Chapin-International-20000-1-Gallon-Translucent/dp/B000E28UQU/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3FQKIS0TBPLPU&keywords=hand+sprayer+1+gallon&qid=1562586408&s=gateway&sprefix=hand+sprayer%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-3