How To Check Diff Oil:

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Tools needed:

- Either 2x Sets of Axle stands or pair of stands and ramps.

- Shifter and/or small flat bladed screwdriver.

- Oil to top up if needed

- And last but not least, a pinky finger to check oil.

Method:

1. Raise car on a level surface, high enough so can gain access to under the rear end.

2. Remove this plug - it will either be a screw in type which you need a shifter for, or if you have a proper spanner/socket (preferably so you don’t damage the nut). Or it can be a push in type on which you can use a small flat bladed screwdriver to prise out being careful not to damage plug.


Sometimes oil may come out once you remove the plug, usually this means the oil level is ok, it should not gush out, a trickle is ok. Otherwise insert your pinky finger in the hole to the first knuckle, and dip/push down, remove finger and it should have a coating of oil on the underside. If it doesn’t you need to top up. You can buy from an auto shop the relevant oil in a 1 litre pack that has a tube on it to top up. Bear in mind that a LSD diff uses different oil to an open wheeler, and the XR series needs synthetic oil.

An LSD diff will usually have a screw in plug with a tag attached warning you it is a LSD diff.

If you are unsure, with the wheel in the air, spin a wheel while watching the other one if it spins in the same direction as the one you are spinning it is a LSD other wise it is a open wheeler.

To discuss your Diff problems, or for more information, view the Drive Train section of the forums here...

Thanks to MACXR8 for this article...

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