Where did it go? in the front diff! Doh

GSXR_RCR · January 24, 2007

Ok so Im a royal freaking idiot who should be grounded from working on cars. I have been going through all my fluids and changing them in the past couple of months since my 2000 z71 just turn 103k. So I changed my transfer case fluid and my front diff fluid. Transfer goes ok, but cant get new plugs from the dealer aparently its a special order around here, So i just use the old ones clean them up put some dope on them and it seems to be good, no leaks.

I move on to my front diff. I plug the plugs and the fluid just dribbles out, kinda sludgey but not horrible. I look at the magnet and its got some shavings on it but im sure this is the first diff service its seen since new( i bought it used w 68k). So im watching this stuff come out i figure Ill spray some brake cleaner inside and just blow it out to help get some more out. This is a great idea and it is actually woking, got some more out, until that stupid little plastic tube that on the front of the nozzle decides to go shooting out. Of course im looking at the pretty fluid coming out the drain and not then nozzle. So i immediately start with my favorite cause words and begin making new ones up. I get a flash light and figure maybe its lodged in a place i can grap it with some needlenose pliers or something. Nope, i get another tube off the next can of brake cleaner and I find out that the tube will go all the way in the diff, but only at certain angles, anyways long story short I cant find the tube on the ground, i couldn't see it inside the diff, and the only way to get inside the diff is to dismantle my truck from the inside out.

Should I worry about it, I mean its a 2 cent tube of plastic compared to those big narly teeth on the gears. Im sure that wont stop it from moving, but will it cause any damage??

I would really hate to take apart my diff to find out it wasn't inside. And i figure if im going to take the diff apart there better be something wrong with it.

What do you guys think??

I was thinking about driving it a bit like 100 miles or so and changing the diff fluid again and using a strainer to see if there is any plastic pieces in the fluid. I figure if I did this I could probably get most of the plastic tube out, as it will probably be in small pieces.

Also are the gears inside the diff turning while in 2 wheel drive??? I do mostly 2 wheel drive stuff, once in a while 4wd but i probably dont need it when I use it, i just use it because, well i got this button dammit and im gonna use it.

superbee · January 25, 2007

I'm guessing here!! I think because of how soft those tubes are, it should grind up pretty easily. The gears for the CVs turn but the drive gear doesn't when in 2wd (the one from the front driveshaft). Possibly put it in 4wd and drive some, it shouldn't take 100 miles, I wouldn't think. Then drain and flush with thin oil, like 3 in 1 oil, I'm not sure I'm crazy about the brake cleaner idea, I just don't know what kind of residue is going to mix with the new oil. Keep flushing and look for little chunks. Is that enough maybes and possiblys and I thinks for you?

Good luck!!

asilverblazer · January 25, 2007

I would look all over that truck for the tube before I would tear into the diff... and if I couldn't find it, well, I think I would pull the diff apart.

jjrobo · January 25, 2007

I would be more worried about the brake cleaner than I would a little bit of plastic.

I would fill and drain it several times. Put some oil in and drive a few miles in 4 wheel drive, drain, fill, repeat. Maybe use some cheap Walmart stuff until the final fill up.

Good luck

mmmikkke · January 25, 2007

Try this...

http://www.provision100.com/

GSXR_RCR · January 25, 2007

Actually guys I found the tube, its in one piece and it WAS in the diff. I got to thinking with some friends and we used one of those push button spring casing thingys that has the four jaws that go out but retract when you let go. I fished around in there for a few minutes then I saw part of it floating at the top, a couple grabs later it came out in one piece, I was soooooo relieved I measured it against another one I had to make sure it was all there. A couple of knicks were in it from the gears,I had to drive it like 10 miles to pick up my daughter(no choice in that drive). But that little finger thingy is the best 2 dollars spent at harbor freight.

As for the brake cleaner thing, its perfectly safe I have been going through cans and cases of it for years while building racing motorcycle engines,there is no residue left behind it evaporates completely, at least the stuff I use does, some of the other house/store brands aint so hot. And in something like this where the hard are all hard parts drenched in gear oil, even if there was residue it would be so diluted it wouldnt matter. But I can tell you my final bit of old gear oil was nasty until i cleaned it up, then it drained clear.

Thats for your thoughts and wishes of good luck, I guess my truck was feeling sorry for me when i dropped the front skind plate on my eye. Yes I have a black eye now but I won the fight dang it.

pm26 · January 25, 2007

I would be more worried about the brake cleaner than I would a little bit of plastic.

I would fill and drain it several times. Put some oil in and drive a few miles in 4 wheel drive, drain, fill, repeat. Maybe use some cheap Walmart stuff until the final fill up.

Good luck

+1

never spray brake cleaner or any other cleaner on the gears when replacing front or rear differential oil. If you feel you must spray something on there to clean to gears, use clean gear oil. If you have already made the mistake of spraying the cleaner on the gears and bearings. flush profusely with clean gear oil several times, fill the differential, rotate the wheels, drain the oil and refill with fresh oil.

asilverblazer · January 25, 2007

I guess my truck was feeling sorry for me when i dropped the front skind plate on my eye. Yes I have a black eye now but I won the fight dang it.

Your experience seems like something that would happen to me. Just adda few busted knuckles.

lerbud · January 25, 2007

glad to hear you found the tube. i have to admit i was laughing my ass off while reading your post. it sounded like something that would happen to me. kinda reminded me of the time a put a new speedo overlay on and was adjusting the needles and one of them fell down and i looked and looked and could not find it. i was in dire straights as i did not know where i was going to get another needle. any way i get home a little later and it got caught on a fold in my jeans near my shoes. haha