8.25 What is this rubber plug at the bottom of diff?!
 

Hey,

Just pulled a 8.25 axle from a 1998 xj to swap with my dana 35. But what is this rubber plug at the bottom on the differential cover?! I cant find an answer. Assuming its a drain plug? I haven't seen any other axles with this plug?

Thanks for your help!

Attachment 408450

I plan on regear,locker, disc conversion, and new diff cover before I swap it out with my d35.

Looks like a drain plug to PO added.

Thats what I assumed but just thought I would get someone else opinion. Thank you! I think it was a government vehicle at one point due to the dummy gauges.

Pull it out and see what happens? If it works it's a pretty good way to change, most of the fluid, without pulling the cover. If thats what its for I would drain it and if any metal, pull the cover. That will allow you inspection and change ALL the fluid.

That's where the folks at the JY punched a hole in it to drain it before putting it on the lot. They do the same thing to gas tanks, transmissions, etc, etc.

Time for a new diff cover....cuz that rubber plug isn't going to last very long once the oil starts heating up.

This and done....
http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...sler-8.25-axle

This. Seen it many times.

Also how lube shops do a 19.95 gear oil change.

LMAO almost that bad.

I had a friend drop by my place one weekend to show off The Shining new AW4 tranny swap in his TJ. She had the exact same rubber plug corner of the tranny pan. I asked if he knew that the pen needed to be replaced and he said "no it came with that from the factory, I found it just like that at the junkyard." About 60 seconds later that plug shot out and spewed hot tranny fluid all over the street front of my house.

No further comments were needed about the "OEM" rubber plug after that.


Good times.

That's great.