Differential plug gone

michael wrote:
> I purchased a 2004 Dakota 4x4 about a year ago. Put about 11,000 km
> on it since then. Currently has about 48,000 km.
>
> Noticed today that the plug/stopper from my rear axle differential was
> missing.
>
> Don't know where it went or how long it's been missing. The truck is
> always road driven.
>
> I cannot touch any fluid when I put my finger into it, but a piece of
> wire comes back with some oil on it. I haven't noticed any excessive
> noise, but then again, I haven't really been listening for it.
>
> The truck still has power train warranty for a couple of years. I
> made a couple of anonymous calls to dealers today explaining the
> situation and asking if warranty would cover it if anything was
> wrong. Both service departments said I would have to talk to the
> manager. Both also said they have never heard of a plug falling out.
>
> I'm freaking out and terrified that this may somehow void my
> warranty. I purposely bought this truck because it had warranty.
>
> What the hell do I do now?

I don't think it's likely that it fell out without some help. Do you ever
get your oil changed at one of those Jiffy-Lube type places or had any work
done at a Midas shop? Some of them do a free "courtesy inspection" on all
your fluids hoping to sell you more than what you originally came in for.
They might have checked the fluid level and never re-installed the plug. For
piece of mind I think I'd change the gear lube when replacing the plug.
--
Ken
 >> Stay informed about: Differential plug gone 

On Sat, 27 Oct 2007 23:44:06 -0600, "michael" wrote:

>I purchased a 2004 Dakota 4x4 about a year ago. Put about 11,000 km on it
>since then. Currently has about 48,000 km.
>
>Noticed today that the plug/stopper from my rear axle differential was
>missing.
>
>Don't know where it went or how long it's been missing. The truck is always
>road driven.
>
>I cannot touch any fluid when I put my finger into it, but a piece of wire
>comes back with some oil on it. I haven't noticed any excessive noise, but
>then again, I haven't really been listening for it.
>
>The truck still has power train warranty for a couple of years. I made a
>couple of anonymous calls to dealers today explaining the situation and
>asking if warranty would cover it if anything was wrong. Both service
>departments said I would have to talk to the manager. Both also said they
>have never heard of a plug falling out.
>
>I'm freaking out and terrified that this may somehow void my warranty. I
>purposely bought this truck because it had warranty.
>
>What the hell do I do now?
>
>
I would pull the cover and take a look see for any damage. If the metal
shavings etc are minimal I would clean it out and replace the plug and fluid.
If they are more than minimal and everything looks and sounds ok then I would do
the same and change the fluid again in about a month.

beekeep
 >> Stay informed about: Differential plug gone 

On Oct 28, 8:51 am, "rick505" wrote:
> over pressures and poped the plug out(your nuts snowman) how can a
> threaded plug pop out the only way it can come out is if the threads were
> gone or was not tight and it would unscrew and fall off not pop out under
> pressure also if it built up too much pressure it would blow the axle
> seals or pinion seal first not blow the plug.
>
> --
> Message posted usinghttp://www.talkaboutautos.com/group/alt.autos.dodge.trucks/
> More information athttp://www.talkaboutautos.com/faq.html

Come on, the answer came from Snoman, it MUST be right!
Snoman, is this answer based off your vast technical abilities? The
same abilities that you told Roy he lacked? The same abilities that
led you to tell a poster to trade in a truck due to a bad $30 sensor?
 >> Stay informed about: Differential plug gone 

Nobody got this right. I would check for a damaged or plugged vent for
rear axle as it may have plugged up and over pressured when it warmed
up and popped the plug out.


On Sat, 27 Oct 2007 23:44:06 -0600, "michael"
wrote:

>I purchased a 2004 Dakota 4x4 about a year ago. Put about 11,000 km on it
>since then. Currently has about 48,000 km.
>
>Noticed today that the plug/stopper from my rear axle differential was
>missing.
>
>Don't know where it went or how long it's been missing. The truck is always
>road driven.
>
>I cannot touch any fluid when I put my finger into it, but a piece of wire
>comes back with some oil on it. I haven't noticed any excessive noise, but
>then again, I haven't really been listening for it.
>
>The truck still has power train warranty for a couple of years. I made a
>couple of anonymous calls to dealers today explaining the situation and
>asking if warranty would cover it if anything was wrong. Both service
>departments said I would have to talk to the manager. Both also said they
>have never heard of a plug falling out.
>
>I'm freaking out and terrified that this may somehow void my warranty. I
>purposely bought this truck because it had warranty.
>
>What the hell do I do now?
>
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com
 >> Stay informed about: Differential plug gone 

SnoMan wrote:
> Nobody got this right. I would check for a damaged or plugged vent for
> rear axle as it may have plugged up and over pressured when it warmed
> up and popped the plug out.

I think it would pop the vent hose off before it blew out a threaded solid
steel pipe plug. I could be wrong but I just don't see it happening.
--
Ken
 >> Stay informed about: Differential plug gone 

On Sun, 28 Oct 2007 10:45:51 -0400, "Nosey"
wrote:

>SnoMan wrote:
>> Nobody got this right. I would check for a damaged or plugged vent for
>> rear axle as it may have plugged up and over pressured when it warmed
>> up and popped the plug out.
>
>I think it would pop the vent hose off before it blew out a threaded solid
>steel pipe plug. I could be wrong but I just don't see it happening.

Logic seems to tell me that if there was pressure on the plug, it wouldn't
vibrate loose because there was pressure against the threads?


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing
 >> Stay informed about: Differential plug gone 

mac davis wrote:

> Logic seems to tell me that if there was pressure on the plug, it wouldn't
> vibrate loose because there was pressure against the threads?

Not so. Applying pressure to a loose plug, bolt, screw etc. can cause
it to turn. But I believe the pressure required to push it all he way
out would be greater than the seals. Also if the plug were tightened I
do not believe the pressure inside would be great enough to loosen it.

I work in force measurement. Part of the product testing involves
generating force through use of a bolt against a force transducer that
measures such force. If left sitting the bolt will eventually turn
itself loose.
 >> Stay informed about: Differential plug gone 

over pressures and poped the plug out(your nuts snowman) how can a
threaded plug pop out the only way it can come out is if the threads were
gone or was not tight and it would unscrew and fall off not pop out under
pressure also if it built up too much pressure it would blow the axle
seals or pinion seal first not blow the plug.

--
Message posted using http://www.talkaboutautos.com/group/alt.autos.dodge.trucks/
More information at http://www.talkaboutautos.com/faq.html
 >> Stay informed about: Differential plug gone 

Do this: Go buy a new or used plug and a quart of synthetic 75/90W gear
lube. Fill the differential(s) to where it just starts to over flow (both
front and rear if required - they both take the same weight). Install the
new or used plug and drive it for a week or so. Then take it to a
dealership you trust or any place you trust that can honor the warranty and
have them do a fluid change on it. The differential fluids are supposed to
be changed every 15k miles anyway. And while you are there have them do the
transmission as well (automatics are done at 15k as well). I don't know
what the schedule is for manual transmissions but it is probably the same.

This will make them responsible if anything happens after that. I would NOT
go in there without a plug in the hole though. They will look at that as a
real bad thing and may work harder to figure out what to tell you as to why
your warranty is void than actually doing any real work on the vehicle. Get
a plug from a wrecking yard. There has to be a Dodge in one of them
somewhere. You may find a lot more Fords than anything else then a few
Chevys. I'm certain there is a Dodge in one though.

In the mean time put some grease in there and plug that damn hole with
something. Use a wine cork or something - just get it plugged now.

"michael" wrote in message

>I purchased a 2004 Dakota 4x4 about a year ago. Put about 11,000 km on it
>since then. Currently has about 48,000 km.
>
> Noticed today that the plug/stopper from my rear axle differential was
> missing.
>
> Don't know where it went or how long it's been missing. The truck is
> always road driven.
>
> I cannot touch any fluid when I put my finger into it, but a piece of wire
> comes back with some oil on it. I haven't noticed any excessive noise, but
> then again, I haven't really been listening for it.
>
> The truck still has power train warranty for a couple of years. I made a
> couple of anonymous calls to dealers today explaining the situation and
> asking if warranty would cover it if anything was wrong. Both service
> departments said I would have to talk to the manager. Both also said they
> have never heard of a plug falling out.
>
> I'm freaking out and terrified that this may somehow void my warranty. I
> purposely bought this truck because it had warranty.
>
> What the hell do I do now?
>
 >> Stay informed about: Differential plug gone 

"mac davis" wrote in message

> On Sun, 28 Oct 2007 10:45:51 -0400, "Nosey"
>
> wrote:
>
>>SnoMan wrote:
>>> Nobody got this right. I would check for a damaged or plugged vent for
>>> rear axle as it may have plugged up and over pressured when it warmed
>>> up and popped the plug out.
>>
>>I think it would pop the vent hose off before it blew out a threaded solid
>>steel pipe plug. I could be wrong but I just don't see it happening.
>
> Logic seems to tell me that if there was pressure on the plug, it wouldn't
> vibrate loose because there was pressure against the threads?
>

Bro, are you out of your mind?? You attempt to introduce logic here??
<VBG>

Oh, here's a bit of info I came across. Seems that there have been more
suicids of Viet Nam vet's since that deal ended than were killed during it.
I read 59K. Of course GB cut's the VA's budget and closes hospitals.

Roy
> mac
>
> Please remove splinters before emailing
 >> Stay informed about: Differential plug gone 

"Abby.Normal" wrote in message

> Do this: Go buy a new or used plug and a quart of synthetic 75/90W gear
> lube. Fill the differential(s) to where it just starts to over flow (both
> front and rear if required - they both take the same weight). Install the
> new or used plug and drive it for a week or so. Then take it to a
> dealership you trust or any place you trust that can honor the warranty
> and have them do a fluid change on it. The differential fluids are
> supposed to be changed every 15k miles anyway. And while you are there
> have them do the transmission as well (automatics are done at 15k as
> well). I don't know what the schedule is for manual transmissions but it
> is probably the same.
>
> This will make them responsible if anything happens after that.

Yep, this is the honest way to do it... I bet your Mom would be proud of
you, huh....Cover up the problem and then take it to a place you trust and
then screw them to death....

Denny


I would NOT
> go in there without a plug in the hole though. They will look at that as
> a real bad thing and may work harder to figure out what to tell you as to
> why your warranty is void than actually doing any real work on the
> vehicle. Get a plug from a wrecking yard. There has to be a Dodge in one
> of them somewhere. You may find a lot more Fords than anything else then
> a few Chevys. I'm certain there is a Dodge in one though.
>
> In the mean time put some grease in there and plug that damn hole with
> something. Use a wine cork or something - just get it plugged now.
>
> "michael" wrote in message
>
>>I purchased a 2004 Dakota 4x4 about a year ago. Put about 11,000 km on it
>>since then. Currently has about 48,000 km.
>>
>> Noticed today that the plug/stopper from my rear axle differential was
>> missing.
>>
>> Don't know where it went or how long it's been missing. The truck is
>> always road driven.
>>
>> I cannot touch any fluid when I put my finger into it, but a piece of
>> wire comes back with some oil on it. I haven't noticed any excessive
>> noise, but then again, I haven't really been listening for it.
>>
>> The truck still has power train warranty for a couple of years. I made a
>> couple of anonymous calls to dealers today explaining the situation and
>> asking if warranty would cover it if anything was wrong. Both service
>> departments said I would have to talk to the manager. Both also said they
>> have never heard of a plug falling out.
>>
>> I'm freaking out and terrified that this may somehow void my warranty. I
>> purposely bought this truck because it had warranty.
>>
>> What the hell do I do now?
>>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Differential plug gone 

On Oct 28, 5:05 pm, "Tom Lawrence" wrote:
> > Last I checked, the fill plug was a threaded plug.
>
> Every 9.25" rear differential I've seen has had a rubber plug in the diff
> cover.

Fine, so I was mistaken about this. Is everyone happy now?
Though as I recall my 95 had a screw in, but who cares.
 >> Stay informed about: Differential plug gone 

On Sun, 28 Oct 2007 10:51:55 -0500, "rick505"
wrote:

>over pressures and poped the plug out(your nuts snowman) how can a
>threaded plug pop out the only way it can come out is if the threads were
>gone or was not tight and it would unscrew and fall off not pop out under
>pressure also if it built up too much pressure it would blow the axle
>seals or pinion seal first not blow the plug.


This was based on I have seen several Dodges with a pressure in rubber
fill plugs. Obviuosly if it is a threaded plug it did not blow out.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com
 >> Stay informed about: Differential plug gone