Gary F.

[Gary F.]

I trashed the rear differential fill plug on my 2002 Silverado can i use a new cover with a fill plug and still get enough fluid to fill it up?

[dsr611]

Why wouldn't you be able to?  Replace the cover with another OEM cover and it will be the same fill volume

[Black02Silverado]

How did you trash it?  Can you drill it out and get the rest of the plug out? If so then do that and run a tap to clean up the threads and put a new plug in.  This is the drain plug on the bottom of the diff, correct?

[Gary F.]

The plug that trashed is on the housing not on the cover

[Black02Silverado]

31 minutes ago, Gary F. said:

The plug that trashed is on the housing not on the cover

Correct, like on my 2002.  I would think you could drill it out and get the parts out without damaging the threads and then just install a new plug.  Just take your time.

[Gary F.]

But what i'm wondering is if i just let the fill plug that i trashed in. and get a new cover that has a fill plug on it would i be good to go?

[Gary F.]

it is the fill plug on the housing not a drain plug

[davester]

Sure, if someone made a cover with the fill plug at the right level.  At least from the video's put out by Banks about 3rd party rear diff covers, they don't seem to bother trying to keep the original  fluid level.

 

I would fix the threads, and then use a torque wrench when tightening the plug so it doesn't get gimped again.

[txab]

Did you bugger up the square drive hole on the plug? If so, do as suggested drill it out and replace with new.

 

This story is a good example of why you remove the fill plug before pulling the cover.

[diyer2]

Is this the type of diff you have?

Video of fluid change.

https://www.google.com/search?q=2002+silverado+differential+fluid+change&rlz=1C1FGUR_enUS716US736&oq=2002+silverado+differential+&aqs=chrome.1.0l2j69i57j0l5.22029j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=_eU2cXpaZLpjK-gTOsoTAAQ28

And you trashed the fill plug on the side of  the diff?

As mentioned drill it out and replace it.

 

[Duelin]

I would weld a nut onto plug and try that first. If it come out use teflon tape on the new one and don't tightn it so tight.