Littlebeefy Posted August 13, 2023 Share Posted August 13, 2023 I’ve done what can only be described as a shit ton of work on my Bronco. At this point it’s only about 10% original (by weight hahaha). As mistakes go, it’s not a big one, but I want to share with you my biggest regret. I wish I had welded a bung for a drain on my 9”. It would have been so easy to do at the time. Now, not so much. Take my advice and do it if you ever have the housing out. Not having a drain plug is the biggest flaw in the 9” in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
351FUN Posted August 13, 2023 Share Posted August 13, 2023 Why? I thought about adding one to my D60, but when fluid changes are done so rarely it's not like it matters much. Pulling the cover also gives you a chance to inspect everything every few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlebeefy Posted August 13, 2023 Author Share Posted August 13, 2023 Why? I thought about adding one to my D60, but when fluid changes are done so rarely it's not like it matters much. Pulling the cover also gives you a chance to inspect everything every few years. Several reasons. First off, it makes a mess draining from the chunk. If I’m just pulling the axle shaft then I have a slow drip of fluid that is unceasing and another mess. Second, you can’t get all of the dope out just by loosening the chunk; there is still a pool of dope that sits below the lip. Third, the metal shavings and any other particles end up in the bottom of that remaining pool of dope. With a bung on the bottom and a magnetic plug then all of those problems would go away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85lebaront2 Posted August 13, 2023 Share Posted August 13, 2023 Several reasons. First off, it makes a mess draining from the chunk. If I’m just pulling the axle shaft then I have a slow drip of fluid that is unceasing and another mess. Second, you can’t get all of the dope out just by loosening the chunk; there is still a pool of dope that sits below the lip. Third, the metal shavings and any other particles end up in the bottom of that remaining pool of dope. With a bung on the bottom and a magnetic plug then all of those problems would go away. Good points Chad. When I rebuilt my friend's 10.25" Sterling, I put a 3/8" NPT hex socket pipe plug in the bottom. I should have done it when I swapped the housing and installed the traction loc on Darth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted August 13, 2023 Share Posted August 13, 2023 Good points Chad. When I rebuilt my friend's 10.25" Sterling, I put a 3/8" NPT hex socket pipe plug in the bottom. I should have done it when I swapped the housing and installed the traction loc on Darth. Here's how I did it on Dad's 9" rear axle. The "berm" around the plug is to ensure it doesn't get knocked off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpin Posted August 13, 2023 Share Posted August 13, 2023 Here's how I did it on Dad's 9" rear axle. The "berm" around the plug is to ensure it doesn't get knocked off. That's slick Gary, I like that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBrother-84 Posted August 14, 2023 Share Posted August 14, 2023 Here's how I did it on Dad's 9" rear axle. The "berm" around the plug is to ensure it doesn't get knocked off. Gary, is this a short piece of pipe, conical welded? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted August 14, 2023 Share Posted August 14, 2023 Here's how I did it on Dad's 9" rear axle. The "berm" around the plug is to ensure it doesn't get knocked off. Gary, is this a short piece of pipe, conical welded? Yes. I put a short piece of pipe on there and welded/ground/welded/ground until I got what I wanted - a shape that could take a hit on a rock w/o knocking the plug off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nothing Special Posted August 15, 2023 Share Posted August 15, 2023 Why? I thought about adding one to my D60, but when fluid changes are done so rarely it's not like it matters much. Pulling the cover also gives you a chance to inspect everything every few years. It's been talked around here, but the Ford 9" doesn't have a cover. Instead you pull both axle shafts and the driveshaft and then remove the third member. And with my 9" that's been rotated up to compensate for the suspension lift on a short wheelbase early Bronco, there's a substantial amount of gear lube that won't run out, so you end up having to sop it out with a rag or something. I don't have a drain plug on mine, but I wouldn't describe it as a mistake in my case. I hit the diff on enough rocks as it is. I don't want to do anything that would cost me any ground clearance there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
351FUN Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 Why? I thought about adding one to my D60, but when fluid changes are done so rarely it's not like it matters much. Pulling the cover also gives you a chance to inspect everything every few years. It's been talked around here, but the Ford 9" doesn't have a cover. Instead you pull both axle shafts and the driveshaft and then remove the third member. And with my 9" that's been rotated up to compensate for the suspension lift on a short wheelbase early Bronco, there's a substantial amount of gear lube that won't run out, so you end up having to sop it out with a rag or something. I don't have a drain plug on mine, but I wouldn't describe it as a mistake in my case. I hit the diff on enough rocks as it is. I don't want to do anything that would cost me any ground clearance there. I've never played with one of those axles and that changes things significantly, ignore everything I said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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