Differential drain/fill plugs
 

Those who have done their differential fluid drain/refill, did you have to buy new drain/fill plugs? Or did you simply reuse them? Did you noticed any leaks after the fluid change if you reuse those plugs? My indy did my rear differential a couple of weeks ago (reusing the plugs, of course) and now the drain plug is developing a leak. I thought that maybe my mechanic forgot to put back the crush washer. So I head down to my dealer in search of a crush washer for the diff drain/fill plugs only to find out that they don't exist. Instead of using a crush washer, there's just a tiny rubber o-ring that's built into the plug. I ended up buying the plugs (with the built-in o-ring) for about $10 bucks a piece! I was going to do the front differential this week, but after seeing the leak on my rear differential after the fluid change have me thinking again whether I should even touch the front diff now.

They don't usually leak, but you can get drips for a while from gear oil that was spilled around the plug area during the drain/fill process.

Perhaps the o-ring is damaged. Wipe the area, and if the leak doesn't cease, you'll have to install a new one.

That's what I initially thought as well...so I wiped it clean 2 days after the change and then continues to wipe it daily last week, but the leak continues. It's seeping out of the drain plug slowly...about 1-2 drips per day. I guessed I'll need to put on the new plugs this weekend :(

Sounds like it may be over serviced.

Do you think the plug got over tightened or was threaded wrong? Best thing to do is drain it again and get a new plug to be on the safe side.

I always use http://www.hylomar-usa.com/ on all my threads and gaskets. Great stuff and it will make the plugs come off easier the next time.

I don't recall any 0-rings.

just snug it a little more to see if it stops. unless it's REALLY tight already.

Thanks for the recommendation on hylomar. I may have to go that route if the new plugs don't work.

As you can see from the picture that the O-ring is built right into the plug.

You better know what you are doing if you are going to replace it yourself. It's a simple job. But you must put in the right oil type and right amount.
I replaced them with Mobil 1 Synthetic for front-diff, rear-diff, and crank-case.