Brunton Stalker Riddle ?

[preventec47]

How the heck do you put gear lube into (or check) the differential ?   So today I jacked up an approx 2005 SuperStalker  and crawled under to inspect the rear axle.   There was not only  no drain plug ( which I am familiar with) but there was NO filler plug or screww hole that I could find either.    Maybe this is an IQ test for prospective owners?  On the top  of the differential where I could not see,  I reached around and used the braille method.  Supposedly this would have been the rear axle from a Chevy S-10 from the 90s ......    After I crawled out from under, the owner went under to check for himself and was kind of flustered as well.

[fastg]

I think you can get a rear cover with drain and fill ports.

 

Graham

[11Budlite]

I can see there not being a drain plug but there has to be a fill plug somewhere. If it's not on the rear cover there should be a fill plug somewhere on the cast center section of the rear end.

[preventec47]

I know, I wouldn't believe it if someone told me. I feel silly even reporting this.  The back side of the differential has a flat plate with ten or fourteen bolts around the perimeter.  The front side of the differential

of course is taken up with the drive shaft inputs.   That leaves the top of the diff -casting of which felt totally smooth.     The vehicle has only 300 mi since assembly (5 years) which I attribute to overheating so there has been no urgent need for an owner to check the diff fluid levels.    I will try to find a Chevy S-10 forum somewhere and ask about their diffs.   Otherwise, I imagine you could cut a quarter inch thick steel plate and weld it onto the diff cover after drilling and threading it for a drain plug.

[Anaximander]

I went to the S-10 forum and found the answer you are looking for. Remember, Google is your friend

 

"The fill hole is on the passenger side of the differential halfway between top and bottom. It is recessed so it isn't plainly obvious unless you're looking at it.

Use a 3/8" square socket to get it out. Do not try to use a wobble socket and avoid just using a ratchet if you don't want to chance rounding it off."

 

Unless you want to remove all of the bolts to drain the diff, just get a suction device and pull out all that you can through the fill hole and you should be good to go. Rince and repeat with a fill to the overflow hole and you're done!

Edited July 7, 2023 by Anaximander

[MV8]

Should be a half inch drive extension to fit the pipe plug socked fill port. No need to remove any bolts, just loosen them all and pry on the cover to break the seal, though a new gasket would be better.