My front diff doesn’t have a drain plug. Is this normal?

[ShadowsPapa]

And then there are those here who might wonder- what drain plug? Mine has never had one.

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[agoldxj]

You’d be surprised on how many people request it at work(gm dealer). Some trucks have drains and some don’t, those people don’t care though as they’re having someone else do the service. That being said I did the F&R on my old Tacoma at 185k and they both(oil) looked brand new. That truck had drain plugs, I bought the truck from my dad and I know he didn’t do any maintenance other than oil changes.

 

[Pismo61]

They should remove the oil drain plug too,so you have to take the oil pan off scape out the crud and inspect what's in there.Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[Jaxmax]

I agree changing diff. oil is something I have never done on my trucks in past and I ran them all over 150K, Chevy Tahoes(2), pickups (2), and Sububan (1), never a problem or a care. Now all cause of this forum , I changed mine at 30k while putting Dana cast covers on! I do have to blame KrashEd for posting two diff covers for free and the change was for piece of mind wheeling and they are banged up! I have a drain plug , did not use it seemed better to check things out and clean it , and in my opinion the only thing the drain plug might do is be weak point in diff. housing.
Now this damn forum has me thinking better get a PSE tranny pan and change the “lifetime “ fluid, God I love you guys!…..Jack

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Now this damn forum has me thinking better get a PSE tranny pan and change the “lifetime “ fluid, God I love you guys!…..Jack

We’re here for you..we only have your best at heart

 

[JTGuy]

My Diffs don't need a drain as my ARB covers do have one. New oil in when I installed them. I'll do an oil change at 50K just for fun. The front R&P only move when in 4x4 mode.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The front R&P only move when in 4x4 mode.

However, the side gears, carrier gears, move any time it's in motion.
When the ring gear isn't spinning, slinging lube up into the carrier, then they are running on only what might get slung around by the spiders/carriers/side years.

It was such a concern in the 1980s that it was recommended (in the owners manual) that once a month, the system be put into 4 wheel drive to lube things up again.

 

[JTGuy]

I should probably putting it into 4x4 low and doing the lockers just to make sure they still work. Along with the sway bar disco. The spiders are always going crazy but never herd of them having an issue.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The spiders are always going crazy but never herd of them having an issue.

I've seen some with scoring and such, but not failure.
The odds of the carrier stopping where the gears are still in lube and thus spreading it around even minimally are good. Still - me, I engage 4 wheel drive on all of my stuff now and then just because - I want to know it's there, ready and working.

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