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

[Jrgunn5150]

Geez, now why would a company engineer a product that would guarantee a larger majority of its customers rely on it for overpriced maintenance on that product?

Probably right after they took five aspirin while standing under a chemtrail.

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[vicsvx]

My diesel, May 21, sport had plugs... Recently I bought take - offs from a 22 rubicon diesel and it has plugs (not sure if it's early production MY)

 

[Hootbro]

My diesel, May 21, sport had plugs... Recently I bought take - offs from a 22 rubicon diesel and it has plugs (not sure if it's early production MY)

Was not a clean cut in and a few others with 2022 also had the drain plugs. Pretty sure the part numbers also did not roll either so even a VIN check with parts at the dealership could not tell definitively if one vehicle was built with them vs another.

 

[vicsvx]

Was not a clean cut in and a few others with 2022 also had the drain plugs. Pretty sure the part numbers also did not roll either so even a VIN check with parts at the dealership could not tell definitively if one vehicle was built with them vs another.

Right. Just throwing what I had/have to help clarify that there were some 22s with plugs.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Geez, now why would a company engineer a product that would guarantee a larger majority of its customers rely on it for overpriced maintenance on that product?

A. Most customers won't even change that fluid - ever
B. Why would it matter - anyone who is going to change the fluid DIY style won't be stopped by the lack of a plug - just look at the comments here. They'll still do it and this time they'll do it like they should anyway - pull the cover and LOOK inside, and scoop out the sludge.

In other words, it's not going to make any difference at all. Those who don't normally do it won't anyway, and those who do won't be turned off by the lack of a plug.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Was not a clean cut in and a few others with 2022 also had the drain plugs. Pretty sure the part numbers also did not roll either so even a VIN check with parts at the dealership could not tell definitively if one vehicle was built with them vs another.

The change would have come from DANA unless FCA specifically requested it. Perhaps Dana found it to be a weak spot, or it allowed them to sell to FCA at a $0.003 lower cost per unit.

 

[Hootbro]

The change would have come from DANA unless FCA specifically requested it. Perhaps Dana found it to be a weak spot, or it allowed them to sell to FCA at a $0.003 lower cost per unit.

More than Likely DANA made the case as it was also dropped from the D44 Advantek diff they made for the Ford Ranger around the same time. I am sure both Ford and FCA also had to have a buy in for it also.

 

[Lost1wing]

After a weekend of fun, it is nice to just pull a couple of plugs for a drain and refill. As long as you don't see a milkshake come out that is. I haven't had my covers off yet. I would probably be a little bit lazier if I had to pull the covers to do a quick drain and refill. Like the others have said, you have other things to look at under that cover than just the fluid.

It's on my list of things to do along with trans fluid drain and fill (60k). I'm already at 65k miles. Good grief Charlie Brown!

 

[Jrgunn5150]

The change would have come from DANA unless FCA specifically requested it. Perhaps Dana found it to be a weak spot, or it allowed them to sell to FCA at a $0.003 lower cost per unit.

Boy, let me tell you about FCA's 3% annual cost back requirements lol.

They build stuff in, just to take it out, to meet this requirement lol.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

After a weekend of fun, it is nice to just pull a couple of plugs for a drain and refill. As long as you don't see a milkshake come out that is. I haven't had my covers off yet. I would probably be a little bit lazier if I had to pull the covers to do a quick drain and refill. Like the others have said, you have other things to look at under that cover than just the fluid.

It's on my list of things to do along with trans fluid drain and fill (60k). I'm already at 65k miles. Good grief Charlie Brown!

Trying to fit myself into that situation where I may go through some relatively deep water and/or mud crossing and would be concerned about water intrusion........
I'd have two options:
Do a first full change and pull the cover and replace with a nice aftermarket cover with a drain and fill plug
or
Do the first full change and pull the cover and put a plug into the stock cover.
I'd lean to the first option - getting a good cover, with well-located drain plug and one of the proper shape to maintain fluid dispersion inside the differential (no flat backed cover).

 

[GoFastJTR]

After a weekend of fun, it is nice to just pull a couple of plugs for a drain and refill. As long as you don't see a milkshake come out that is. I haven't had my covers off yet. I would probably be a little bit lazier if I had to pull the covers to do a quick drain and refill. Like the others have said, you have other things to look at under that cover than just the fluid.

It's on my list of things to do along with trans fluid drain and fill (60k). I'm already at 65k miles. Good grief Charlie Brown!

I drained my rear diff after 93k miles (lots of offroad trips and towing a trailer) and it was clear. No milkshake.

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

I drained my rear diff after 93k miles (lots of offroad trips and towing a trailer) and it was clear. No milkshake.

It’s really not something that needs regular changing unless you know you’ve done a lot of water crossing. Good to know about the condition after that use case though!

 

[red/green hawk]

A. Most customers won't even change that fluid - ever
B. Why would it matter - anyone who is going to change the fluid DIY style won't be stopped by the lack of a plug - just look at the comments here. There'll still do it and this time they'll do it like they should anyway - pull the cover and LOOK inside, and scoop out the sludge.

In other words, it's not going to make any difference at all. Those who don't normally do it won't anyway, and those who do won't be turned off by the lack of a plug.

You're probably right. I mean automotive companies never engineer anything to ensure a vast majority need to take it in to have maintenance done on it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You're probably right. I mean automotive companies never engineer anything to ensure a vast majority need to take it in to have maintenance done on it.

I'd bet that the "vast majority" of cars and trucks out there never have the differential fluid changed, or very seldom do.
Over the years I worked at a mechanic/tech, we never once had anyone bring anything in for a diff fluid change - ever.

The only time they got opened up was for other maintenance, and then, like anything else, you pop the cover and fix it.
Transmissions didn't have drains except for a few.
You drop the pan.

Why would most consumers care if there was a drain plug - doesn't matter to them.
We lived for many years without drain plugs on things and did very well.
Doesn't mean maintenance isn't needed, just that it's not a big deal to not have a drain plug - you pull the cover or pan or whatever.
It's what we did for years and now people gripe about the lack of a drain plug?
I guess they never worked in a production shop.

 

[Hootbro]

I'd bet that the "vast majority" of cars and trucks out there never have the differential fluid changed, or very seldom do. ......................

But in this case, we did have it and it got taken away. People are justified in their snivel on this one.

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