Changing rear-end oil??

Unknown

I have a 1931 Essex super six and I want to change the rear-end oil. I know how to drain the oil but when it comes to refilling the rear-end I don't really know where to put the oil back in. There's no opening anywhere to refill just the drain plug????
Please help me
Thanks George

tigermoth

funny, by '35 there is a fill hole, but no drain hole. do you have access to a service manual? good luck. tom

Unknown

Look on the side of the "pumpkin" to the rear of where the driveshaft fits. Look for a 1/2" pipe plug, it may have a square head you can get a wrench on or it may have a recessed square or hex drive in it, if square it can be gotten with a rachet with a short extension if hex, you'll have to get a proper size allen wrench. Good luck.

Jon B

Here's the owner's manual for the '30 Essex (should be quite similar to the '31). Go to the index and under "Lubrication" you'll find the page you need,number 17. Shows the filler plug.

http://www.hudsonterraplane.com/tech/1930/1930EssexInstructionBook.pdf

(Manual scanned and posted courtesy of Alex Burr)

Unknown

Here's a picture of my rear-end and there no fill plug on it??
http://s1089.photobucket.com/home/98truck/index

Jon B

The drain plug on your axle is too low to be used as a filler, as located. However, the axle cover is bolted (not welded or riveted) so it is possible that someone has inadvertently attached it with the drain plug in the wrong place. Removing, rotating the cover by one or two bolt increments, and then re-attaching, would move the plug to the correct position.

Perhaps someone with a Hudson or Essex or your vintage, can give you a clue as to which bolt location (of the 12) the plug should be nearest.

[Deleted User]

That one is in an odd spot, most ones i've seen are allmost 1/2 the way up the cover . You have made an excellent observation sir,
Roger

Geoff

That is not the drain plug, it is the filler plug! To drain the diff you remove the bottom rear cover bolt. Do not shift the position of the diff cover, as this will put the oil level far too high, and you will have no end of trouble blowing the pinon and wheel seals.
Geoff.

Unknown

Is it wise to run the car first so it makes th oil alittle thinner to drain or does it matter. ( the car has sat for almost 60 years and not move) What kind of oil do you use and how much ?

Thanks George

Geoff

You probably don't even need to drain the oil, unless it has water in it. Oil doesn't "wear out", just gets contaminated, particularly in an engine, but in the rear axle there's not much can happen. Recommended to use 140 grade gear oil.