No fill plug on 1996 s10 rear differential How do you change the fluid?

Answer 1

My 95 S10 had no drain plug either, just a fill plug on the upper passenger side of the pumpkin, just ahead of the right side axle. Unscrew this first to make sure you can get it out before removing the rear plate and draining fluid. I think I used a 3/8 extension bar to fit in the square hole on that fill plug. Put a drain pan under the differential housing to catch the oil as you will have to remove the 10 screws and allow fluid to drain out that way. After removing screws (starting with bottom and working your way to upper screws) you may have to pry the cover plate off differential with a putty knife or screwdriver without bending it. Scrape all gasket vestiges off of housing and the cover. I used a gasket remover spray auto parts stores have to get tough pieces off. Take the cover to an auto part store so they may give you the exact gasket for it, as it seems S10's could use three different sizes depending on the rear end. While at the store, get this gasket, some RTV sealer for it, and the correct gear fluid for the temperatures where you live. I got Mobil1 Synthetic. I applied sealer to cover and housing, applied gasket to cover, and carefully placed cover on housing. Put in screws. I torqued screws to10-15 ft.lbs as I recall. Now fill the gear oil into the fill plug until it starts to drip out. This was about two bottles (quarts) as I recall. I put one of those plastic tubes on the bottles the store sells to make filling easier. Hope that does it.