Diff Plug Thread Sealant – After the Fact

[Oldwolf]

I recently changed the rear differential fluid and didn’t know I was supposed to use Teflon tape or RTV to seal the threads. Now I have an irritating slow seep that leaves spots on the garage floor.

Is the plug thread ¾” NPT? I was thinking to buy a PVC pipe plug so that I can do a quick plug replacement. Once I get the Teflon tape on the metal plug I can swap them back again.

Hopefully I won’t lose too much fluid doing this. That synthetic fluid is expensive.

Has anybody tried this method?

 

[Ronin8002]

You could just drain it into a very clean pan and re-use it. That would let you fix the leak properly and not have to buy new stuff.

 

[Maniak]

"assuming" the drain plug is still on the front of the diff on your 2002, just park the front tires on ramps or at least make them higher than the rear of the truck. That way the fluid is lower at the front of the diff.

Also, full is normally right below the bottom of the fill hole. That means if you open it and a little comes out, its no biggie.

~Mark