diff oil change

[Viral_Jim]

Having just read through the maintenance guide, I'm not 100% clear on why you need to slacken the 2 Diff support bolts. Do they allow you access to one or more of the cover bolts? 

I just carefully drilled mine out after a good blast to get the oil nice and hot, the flow of oil should bring out any swarf, just go through nice and slow 

At the risk of incurring the wrath of the good Dr Gollum, a couple of questions:

Did you drill this out in situ (ie without removing the cover plate)?
Which bolt hole did you use for the drain plug and what diameter did you drill out to?

Reason I ask is that mine (miraculously) doesn't leak so I don't see the advantage of removing the cover if i don't have to.

[amba]

Without removing the end support bolts the diff will not drop down far enough to be able to get onto all of the cover plate bolts...ensure diff is supported on jack though.

Cant answer drilling question though ..couldn't see the benefit as it was quite simple removing cover plate and you are sure the internals are all ok with a quick view with plate removed.

[Doctor Gollum]

Having just read through the maintenance guide, I'm not 100% clear on why you need to slacken the 2 Diff support bolts. Do they allow you access to one or more of the cover bolts? 

I just carefully drilled mine out after a good blast to get the oil nice and hot, the flow of oil should bring out any swarf, just go through nice and slow 

At the risk of incurring the wrath of the good Dr Gollum, a couple of questions:

Did you drill this out in situ (ie without removing the cover plate)?
Which bolt hole did you use for the drain plug and what diameter did you drill out to?

Reason I ask is that mine (miraculously) doesn't leak so I don't see the advantage of removing the cover if i don't have to.

Ggrrrr...

Just kidding :-P

If you read the guide, there's a picture which should answer all your questions...

Personally I would leave well alone if dry, and file a notch diagonally up and left from the bottom right hand bolt.. If drilling it would be the same course but be mindful of the thread...

[Mr Gav]

I drilled up on an angle from the bottom of the bolt hole diagonally upwards to the back of the bolt hole using a 6mm drill bit wrapped with insulation tape to help protect the threads, this was on the bottom most bolt.