Oil on back of rear diff, plugs appear to be out??

[wrx_snobordr]

Ok so i have been hearin a large amount of metal to mutal noise lately when shifting or when getting off the gas then getting back on it. At first i thought it was my exhaust but my frined was driving next to me and said he could hear me shift, it sounded like metal to metal and not in a good way. I went under my car today and the first thing i noticed was oil all over the rear diff. I was thinking the prob would have been coming from the trans but maybe im wrong. I took some pics, ca someone tell me if these plugs look like they are sticking out to far? http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/snobordr/sideviewofdiff.jpghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/snobordr/frontofdiff.jpg

Matt

[UGotSchooledByaGirl]

If I am not mistaken those plugs should be flush,hence the reason why you need a key type of thing to unplug it.

[MuddyREX]

Don't worry Matt, mine aren't flush. Mine look exactly the same.

If he can hear you shifting, its the trans.

[UGotSchooledByaGirl]

Guess I was mistaken...But that doesnt explain oil on the rear diff?

[Aaron]

Pull the top plug and make sure theres fluid up to the hole. You're gonna need some muscle getting it loose though, guarenteed.

[wrx_snobordr]

yeah, i know the noise is coming from the trans, most of it anyway. I just am concerned as to why i have so much of a build up on the rear diff. Part that is really annoying, i have brand new trans and diff fluid waiting to go in, i just havent had any time to do it.

[wrx_snobordr]

Pull the top plug and make sure theres fluid up to the hole. You're gonna need some muscle getting it loose though, guarenteed.

I have no tool that would allow me to get that out. Plus my driveway is angled and if the car is on flat ground i can barley get under it, forget about getting leverage. :thumbdow:

[Aaron]

A 1/4 inch wrench will do it. But yea, kinda helps to be on a level surface.

[poolmike]

All you need is a ratchet. possibly 3/8". The whole job shoudn't take more than 15 minutes. Make sure you put some type of thread sealer on the plugs before you reinstall them.

[LSHatch]

The plugs should have some kind of crush(or whatever they are called) washer on them. Pull the plugs and see if they are ok, or even there. Has the rear diff fluid been changed? You might as well do that while you are under there. It will also allow you to see if any metal to metal action has really occured via metal flakes in the fluid.

[poolmike]

Those are just standard pipe-thread drain plugs, probably no crush washer.

[LSHatch]

Those are just standard pipe-thread drain plugs, probably no crush washer.

Really? My car has crush washers on all drain plugs for driveline parts. Hm... Either way, it can't hurt to check.

[kef]

Matt, when I serviced my tranny and diff both charles and I couldn't move the wrench with both of us on it.. had to use a jack. Good luck.

[wrx_snobordr]

Well its a good thing ill be doing this at charles's house, we can use the lessons learned on your car to get mine done quicker :mrgreen: .

[the mike]

There are no crush washers on those plugs. The oil could be from excessive heat buildup causing it to come out of the vent. Make sure your vent isn't clogged either, the pressure build-up will force oil out of the seals and stuff.