Jon,
I'm trying to visualize what you recommend and am having trouble with
the pictures that are flooding through my mind. If we are talking
Spitfire here, there is no "cover" that can be removed from the
differential, To access the insides (and drain the oil) one must remove
both stub axles and remove the ring gear and pinion assembly. This can
be done with the differential in the car suspended by the rear mounting
brackets. Although, if you have gone this far, it would not be much
more trouble to remove the bolt that holds that in and remove the whole
thing.
After removing the ring/pinion assembly, the case can be cleaned our as
you mentioned. I too wonder about why there is no drain plug for the
diff. I recall that I have seen them on GT6's but never on a Spit.
Maybe the engineers thought people would have the differentials repaired
often enough that the oil would never be a problem. Who knows!
Joe Curry
jonmac wrote:
>
> Evangelos,
> You've already had enough answers on how to remove the plug! A 1/2" drive
> on your socket wrench should be quite adequate. As someone else commented,
> the spring loaded ball should recess anyway. I wouldn't think too many
> people in Greece hold 1/2" stock - it was a metric country when I last
> visited it!
> The only thing I wanted to add is this. I don't ever remember the Spitfire
> having a drain plug - only a filler, hence it was effectively regarded as
> "Sealed for Life" assembly and maintenance free. Cobblers! A former chum
> and colleague from Shell oil once told me he had zero confidence in
> anyone's oil being able to last for life. Okay, axle oil doesn't have
> anything like the same contaminants as would be found in an engine but it
> does suffer from breakdown over a prolonged period from the 'shearing'
> action of the drive pinion on the crown wheel. If you're thinking of poking
> around down there (and if I was in your situation) I wouldn't bother about
> just taking out the plug to top up with fresh oil. Subject to the responses
> this thread might precipitate about access, I'd go under your car with some
> suitable wrenches/spanners, a waterproof hat and a large bowl. Take off the
> cover, drain out the oil and then spend some time with a paintbrush and
> some kero/paraffin and wash out the diff. Before you start all this, smell
> the oil deposit on plug when you remove it, or dip your little finger into
> the oil in there. If you detect an aroma which indicates a family of
> tom-cats have been living there and "marking territory" as tom-cats do, or
> it just smells absolutely foul - don't hesitate. Remove the diff backplate
> and get on with a dirty job. Let the diff fully dry out for 24 hours,
> replace the cover (a new gasket would be sensible if you can get one) and
> then refill.
> Good luck
> John Macartney
>
> John Macartney
--
"Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible
to travel across the country coast to coast without seeing
anything." -- Charles Kuralt
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