1995 Safari front differential-- NO DRAIN PLUG

THIS FORUM IS FOR ANY QUESTIONS ON THE 7.25" IFS FRONT DIFF, CV HALF SHAFTS AND FRONT DRIVE SHAFT.
Post Reply

Topic author
Triple
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Oct 01, 2016 8:57 am

1995 Safari front differential-- NO DRAIN PLUG

Post by Triple »

Why a manufacturer would design an axle with no drain plug AND make it virtually impossible to insert a siphon tube is simply beyond me...

I've seen several members recommend drilling and tapping their own drain plugs, but I can't find any photos or write-ups from anyone who has actually done it.

I want this old gear oil OUT, but I'd like to see someone else succeed in tapping their own plug before I try it myself.

Also wondering if putting a hole in the case will compromise its integrity... as in, perhaps that's why it doesn't have a drain to begin with.

Captn. Crunch
I sleep in my van
Posts: 557
Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2012 12:10 pm
Location: southeastern ct
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: 1995 Safari front differential-- NO DRAIN PLUG

Post by Captn. Crunch »

Does yours look like this? Not my photo-borrowed from a post on the other site
If not you will need to vacuum the fluid out. They make a hand pump vacuum for just such things
Attachments
IMG_0509.JPG
Captn. Crunch
"I don't beat my rig-I use it to it's maximum potential"
1994 Safari conversion (sold) and miss'n it!
1999 Safari SLE AWD junked
2003 GMC Safari AWD SLT
cast iron Torsen equipped front diff
S-10 leafs-G80 rear w/3.73’s
2” body lift w/Falken Wildpeak AT’s

Topic author
Triple
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Oct 01, 2016 8:57 am

Re: 1995 Safari front differential-- NO DRAIN PLUG

Post by Triple »

Captn. Crunch wrote:Does yours look like this? Not my photo-borrowed from a post on the other site
If not you will need to vacuum the fluid out. They make a hand pump vacuum for just such things
Decided not to drill/tap a plug. Without seeing the inside of the case, there's just no way to determine its thickness or how close internal differential components would be to the bit. Too risky.

The only hose I could fit through the fill hole to the bottom of the case was some very small aquarium tubing. The tubing that comes with conventional hand-pumps is an absolute no-go. And speaking of hand-pumps... I haven't found one yet that wasn't total garbage. Instead, I pressed the aquarium tubing over a large, catheter-tipped livestock syringe. Far more effective.

Despite wriggling the hose around inside the case as best I could, I could only remove about 1.5 quarts of old oil. Specs say there should be 2.55 quarts in there. So, SO stupid that this differential wasn't designed with a drain plug. Senseless.
User avatar

doyoulikeithere
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 2060
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:27 pm
Location: Misty Mountains of Cowichan BC.

Re: 1995 Safari front differential-- NO DRAIN PLUG

Post by doyoulikeithere »

Ya, Thats just stupid !

They keep makin things cheaper and less freindly to mechanics, in this disposable world.

My Vans all have a drainplug on the front and rear diffs. I like the ol girls.

What year did GM switch over to being so Friggin cheap ! 2003?
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
Post Reply