Front Idfferential Filla Nd Drain Plugs

[pm26]

I noticed that my front differential plugs were rusty, so I ordered new ones, along with sealing washers, as I was getting ready to change the front differential oil anyway. I figured, they will be about 3 bucks a piece for the plugs, maybe $1 for each sealing washer. I did not even ask about the price. Big mistake! Here is the list price from GM on these parts:

 

8672354 plug: $ 22.30

 

14042602 washer: $ 8.04

 

26058815 plug: $ 20.80

 

15588383 washer: $ 6.09

 

So $ 57.23 plus 6% tax, which is about $ 60 for two small fill and drain plugs that are not even zinc plated and two small plastic washers. A similar size pipe plug sells for less than a dollar in most hardware stores. Same for the plastic washers.

 

No, I will not keep these. I am taking them back for a refund. This is beyond BS. If the cost of oil pan drain plug, which is plated and does not rust is about $ 4 from GM, what can possibly justify these prices on similar size raw steel plugs? No, they are not gold plated.

[RyanbabZ71]

why did you even leave with them and pay for them if you intend to take them back

 

The transfer case drain plugs are pretty pricey also but thats because they are ----- I forgot what material

[pm26]

why did you even leave with them and pay for them if you intend to take them back

 

The transfer case drain plugs are pretty pricey also but thats because they are ----- I forgot what material

 

I bought them together with other stuff and did not find out what they cost until I took a closer look at the bill which seemed a bit high. And that was after I got home.

 

Even titanium bolts which many cyclists use to shave weight off of their bikes are seldom this high in prices per piece. And these plugs are not made of any special metal. Differential housing is cast iron, and the plugs seem to be plain tool steel. And how do they justify pricing a 1 inch diameter plastic washer at $ 8? Is it made out of recycled NASA Space Shuttle $ 50,000 toilet plastic or something?

[pm26]

Maybe NAPA sells these plugs at a reasonable cost? I am curious, I will ask and post the findings.

 

Some time ago, it was mentioned that NAPA still sells magnetic oil pan drain plugs for these trucks for about $ 6/piece. You cannot get one from GM, as they discontinued the magnetic ones.

[RyanbabZ71]

I bought them together with other stuff and did not find out what they cost until I took a closer look at the bill which seemed a bit high. And that was after I got home.

 

Understandable

 

I bought some Dorman magnetic drain plugs from advanced auto for like $4 a pc.

[lineman]

I noticed that my front differential plugs were rusty, so I ordered new ones, along with sealing washers, as I was getting ready to change the front differential oil anyway. I figured, they will be about 3 bucks a piece for the plugs, maybe $1 for each sealing washer. I did not even ask about the price. Big mistake! Here is the list price from GM on these parts:

 

8672354 plug: $ 22.30

 

14042602 washer: $ 8.04

 

26058815 plug: $ 20.80

 

15588383 washer: $ 6.09

 

So $ 57.23 plus 6% tax, which is about $ 60 for two small fill and drain plugs that are not even zinc plated and two small plastic washers. A similar size pipe plug sells for less than a dollar in most hardware stores. Same for the plastic washers.

 

No, I will not keep these. I am taking them back for a refund. This is beyond BS. If the cost of oil pan drain plug, which is plated and does not rust is about $ 4 from GM, what can possibly justify these prices on similar size raw steel plugs? No, they are not gold plated.

 

Were they gold plated or what. I was gonna replace my transfer case fill and drain plugs and they were expensive also so I passed on that deal.

[MikeNH]

Pretty sure the t-case plugs are magnesium or something weird on some trucks.

 

And the plugs are expensive because you bought them from a dealer.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

Maybe NAPA sells these plugs at a reasonable cost? I am curious, I will ask and post the findings.

 

Some time ago, it was mentioned that NAPA still sells magnetic oil pan drain plugs for these trucks for about $ 6/piece. You cannot get one from GM, as they discontinued the magnetic ones.

 

There ya go, get some NAPA plugs.....Was the guy at the dealer parts counter wearing a mask? If not, he should have been because they are crooks!

[pm26]

Pretty sure the t-case plugs are magnesium or something weird on some trucks.

 

And the plugs are expensive because you bought them from a dealer.

 

I previously bought a plug for the oil pan from them and curiously enough it was only $ 4 or so.

I would understand the high price if these differential plugs were made of some exotic metal. They are raw carbon tool steel, are attracted to a magnet (I tested them), and rust very quickly once installed as they are not zinc plated or cadmium plated or galvanized.

 

Maybe they priced them really high by mistake based on transfer case plug price?

[MikeNH]

Who knows. When I was working at a dealer some parts were mysteriously highly priced for what they were and that was our cost, not retail.

[pm26]

Who knows. When I was working at a dealer some parts were mysteriously highly priced for what they were and that was our cost, not retail.

 

Sometimes it is really odd. And it isn't just GM. I bought some motor mounts for my Mazda before and one of them was outrageously high - about 4 times as much what the others were, even though it was the same size. Go figure.

[jblakeney]

Seeeeeeeems, as if I lost one of my plugs in my 3/4ton and ended up getting one from my store (it wasn't the engine drain plug those are in the cataloging)....... Which is a NAPA..... Didn't have a listing but, seems like it was metric treated and I think I had it on the shelf.......... But I do remember leaving the truck on the lift for a day over that. I'm quite sure it wasn't that expensive.... Few bucks.

 

Rear differential drain plug is SPECIAL, I do remember that.... it has as conical seated washer seal..... But if memory serves me it wasn't but a few bucks also.

 

Jbo