9 inch drain plug
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 97
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From: Alberta, Canada
9 inch drain plug
I would like to drill and tap a 1/2 plug in my Ford 9 inch differential. Where would be the best location to drill the hole so I could tap it and not have the plug hit the third member inside? It's a 74 F100, pics would be awesome.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
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From: NorCal
Dude, Why do that? Unless ya go mudding often, just leave a couple of nuts on when ya separate the gear carrier from the housing to keep it from falling out and it will drain all by itself.
The ring gear is left of centerline. Therefore, low and right of center will be fine. Keep in mind to use a low profile plug otherwise a rock can shear that puppy off in a heartbeat and you'll start hearing very expensive groans and moans of your rear end locking up tighter than Obama's liberal ideology.
The ring gear is left of centerline. Therefore, low and right of center will be fine. Keep in mind to use a low profile plug otherwise a rock can shear that puppy off in a heartbeat and you'll start hearing very expensive groans and moans of your rear end locking up tighter than Obama's liberal ideology.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
Dude, Why do that? Unless ya go mudding often, just leave a couple of nuts on when ya separate the gear carrier from the housing to keep it from falling out and it will drain all by itself.
The ring gear is left of centerline. Therefore, low and right of center will be fine. Keep in mind to use a low profile plug otherwise a rock can shear that puppy off in a heartbeat and you'll start hearing very expensive groans and moans of your rear end locking up tighter than Obama's liberal ideology.
The ring gear is left of centerline. Therefore, low and right of center will be fine. Keep in mind to use a low profile plug otherwise a rock can shear that puppy off in a heartbeat and you'll start hearing very expensive groans and moans of your rear end locking up tighter than Obama's liberal ideology.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
Ah. I see... Yeah, it's thick enough. Guys will drill housings for air lockers so a plug will be fine...it'll need to have threads all the way to the plug's head.
Ya could just the OEM drain hole to siphon out the gear oil.
Your call.
Ya could just the OEM drain hole to siphon out the gear oil.
Your call.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,305
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From: Montgomery, IL
I did this for my truck. Just drill a hole, tap it and put in a plug. I used an oil pan style plug so I could use a socket on it to remove it but you could just as easily use a plug similar to what is used for the fill hole.
Just make sure you get all of the shavings out of the housing when you are done drilling and tapping.
Just make sure you get all of the shavings out of the housing when you are done drilling and tapping.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Nanaimo BC
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Alberta, Canada
Thanks, I will use the tips suggested. I plan to drill on the bottom flat part of the diff, just off to the right of centre, hope all goes well!!!
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Laughing Gas
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From: Johns Creek GA
If you start reading in the thread below, there's someone who did just what you're asking about...and he discussed and analyzed it at great length. You might find some good ideas there.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-build-12.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-build-12.html
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Northeast, OK
If you start reading in the thread below, there's someone who did just what you're asking about...and he discussed and analyzed it at great length. You might find some good ideas there.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-build-12.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-build-12.html
Hey, "someone", I'm gonna quote my father:
- If that's a compliment I thank you.
- I resemble that statement.
Rivergreen74 - The way I did it isn't necessarily the way I'd do it again. I think what I'd do would be:
- Drill a hole slightly larger than an oil pan replacement drain plug, and put it off-center to miss the ring gear. And, btw, there is all kinds of clearance over there.
- Put a bolt, but not the drain bolt, through the hole and run a nut, with the same threads as the drain bolt, down on it - this ensures the nut won't move
- Tack weld that nut in several places on the inside
- Weld a piece of pipe to the outside to protect the drain plug
- Run the drain plug in against the case and you know it'll seal
Yes, having a nut inside might be a bit of a liability if it were to get loose, but even my welding skills are better than that. And, having the nut there does reduce the last little bit of lube you can get out, but you'll get far more out that way than just pulling the diff loose and letting it drain. And, it'll be more easily caught coming in one stream that way.
Moderator
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
We know you will thoroughly very! look at all possible angles and consider every approach before doing anything, this is the mark of a good engineer.
FTE Legend
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From: Northeast, OK
Was I lying? Nope
Of course it's a compliment, Gary! Thanks
We know you will thoroughly very! look at all possible angles and consider every approach before doing anything, this is the mark of a good engineer.Yes, and one with more time to do such things than many of you. I'm not sure whether what I'm detecting is frustration for the many considerations, or envy for the time I have. I'll assume envy.
NopeOf course it's a compliment, Gary!
ThanksWe know you will thoroughly very! look at all possible angles and consider every approach before doing anything, this is the mark of a good engineer.
Yes, and one with more time to do such things than many of you. I'm not sure whether what I'm detecting is frustration for the many considerations, or envy for the time I have. I'll assume envy.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Alberta, Canada
And, in true engineer fashion, meaning I can't leave well-enough alone, here's an upgrade on what I suggested previously: Use a castellated-nut with the slots facing down, and tack it on the points so the slots allow all the oil to drain.
