Changing Diff Oil

[m3f_LemonPaper]

So I ordered a 14 mm hex tool on amazon to drain and replace the differential fluid. Annoyingly, even though 14 mm is the right size for the drain and filler plugs, I haven't got nearly enough clearance to undo either of them (especially the filler) due to the gas tank. Am I really going to have to take off the gas tank if I want to go through and change the diff fluid? Is there some other special tool I'll need to buy?

[m3f_djjvr]

I didn't have to do anything to the "tank" (aka spare wheel well). I ended up grinding down an old ratchet piece that I had to make it fit and allow my wrench to clear the tank to remove the bolt. However I am sure if you used a smaller wrench and ratchet you could undo the filler bolt no problem.

[m3f_drtwofish]

Yeah, I used a dremel and cut my hex bit in half, then put a box-end wrench around the cut-off end. Bit of a pain, but not a big deal. A cutoff wheel would probably work better but the dremel was fine.


Also, not to be a dummy, but I believe that's the spare-tire well you're hitting, not the gas tank...somebody whack me if my memory's off though.

[m3f_aeronaut]

Typically, if you have a 14mm socket, all you have to do is punch out the 14mm hex portion then use that with a 14mm box end wrench. Takes about 30 seconds or less to pop/punch out the 14mm hex from the drive socket. Can even pop it back into the drive socket after you're done if you want. Of course, it can't be a 10" 14mm hex drive .

[m3f_LemonPaper]

Oops. I didn't look around very long. I saw big plasticey thing and assumed tank, but spare tire well makes more sense.

[m3f_LemonPaper]

Oh how did you pop it out?

[m3f_ECS Tuning]

^depending on the shape of the hex socket you could probably put it in a vice and use a punch to knock it out.



I use a Schwaben Service Wrench (LINK) on my car, since I didn't feel like hacking up a hex key to make a tool.

[m3f_Jrrrrrrr]

Typically, if you have a 14mm socket, all you have to do is punch out the 14mm hex portion then use that with a 14mm box end wrench. Takes about 30 seconds or less to pop/punch out the 14mm hex from the drive socket. Can even pop it back into the drive socket after you're done if you want. Of course, it can't be a 10" 14mm hex drive .

This, and I'm pretty sure this is the unofficial tool making technique among BMW owners to handle the diff plugs.

[m3f_abcurran]

Return your tool to Amazon. Go to Harbor Freight and buy their hex sockets for $13. Then fit a 14mm box end around the allen, insert into fill plug and open.


Mine was on tight. I used a pretty long pipe over the wrench to break the fill plug free.


http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece...7880-html.html

[m3f_turbo_911]

I used a 14mm bolt, (the head went into the diff bolt) then put two nuts on it to lock and used wrench to unbolt it. Took me 10 seconds. That's the easiest, cheapest way for me I think.

[m3f_fiveightandten]

^ You could use a bolt as described above.


I went to autozone and bought a 14mm hex bit. Theirs was in the base pretty well, so I just hacked the end off with a grinder. I put that in the plugs and turn it with a 14mm wrench.

[m3f_Z Driver]

Return your tool to Amazon. Go to Harbor Freight and buy their hex sockets for $13. Then fit a 14mm box end around the allen, insert into fill plug and open.



Mine was on tight. I used a pretty long pipe over the wrench to break the fill plug free.



http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece...7880-html.html

Or buy this set from HF: http://www.harborfreight.com/12-piec...set-94961.html



These are shallow enough to use with a 3/8 ratchet.

[m3f_LemonPaper]

Wow. Lots of good ways to do it. Thanks a lot for making up for my lack of creativity hahahaha

[m3f_M3_Tiag]

i purchased a 14mm allen online for a couple dollars in advance before attempting this, cut the shorter side of the allen wrench off to make the piece that would work...hmm wonder what i did with that



i used a box wrench and a large pipe over the box wrench to get them off, torqued on from the factory very tight