I see two plugs... is the drain plug hidden by the skid plate ? It looks like three torx screws to take off the rear skid plate, correct ?

I assume the reservoir is to be filled until it runs out of the small middle hole half way up the rear of the reservoir ! ? !

Thanks in advance.

 

My 03 has a hole in the skidplate for the drain plug. Your supposed to fill it to 1 inch below the fill hole. They also tell you the amount in ml, but I can remember how much.

 

275ml (9.3 fl oz) of 80w-90 hypoid lubricant is what my manual says. I used a turkey baster syringe to put 275ml, easy to shoot it in and no guessing if I'm 1 inch below the filler plug.

 

Thanks for the reply... my 500 is a not independent version so it's slightly different. The instructions in the manual are not great. It says to fill to the top of the fill hole and gives no capacity. It looks like the skid plate must come to drain it on mine.

Thanks again.

 

You can either remove the skid plate or clean it up after you are done. Service manual says for ACT rear drives to remove the inspection plug (located by towing hitch, small middle one) and the fluid level should be even with the threads of the plug. Same procedure for the FIS models except the fluid level should be 1 inch below the threads.

Fluid Type is 80W-90 hypoid gear oil. I usually use the stuff for marine use as its handy. I think it also works better in case you get a little water at some point in time in the differential.

 

be careful with the plug. they break real easy. i had an aluminum one made at a machine shop. when i broke mine it took a week to get a new from the dealer.