Axle oil fill / drain plugs

I have a few questions about the oil filling and drain plugs on the axles.

I noticed that both my front diff has two filling plugs. There's one on the diff pan and one on the casting itself. Can I use whichever one of these I want? As far as I can see looking through the holes they both fill the same area. Why have two?

Also, on the front axle, I take it the hub drain plugs are the hex plugs just to the side of each steering arm. The Land Rover green book doesn't actually have a drawing showing where they are.

Thanks for any info.

normally theres only 1 plug on rear either in the diff housing on early models or in rear of case on later models so either would do ,front allways use case plug ,

Mine is a 1972 vehicle, so could the pans from a later one have been fitted if the originals were corroded or damaged?

My front axle has plugs both on the diff pan and the cast steel housing.

EDIT: I take that back, only the front diff has two plugs.

Do you mean that I should only fill the front diff through the case plug? If so, why is that?

Er, yes. I think they put the filler on the pan 'cos it's easier to access. The front and rear diff casings are interchangeable.

Webley1991 said:

Mine is a 1972 vehicle, so could the pans from a later one have been fitted if the originals were corroded or damaged?

My front and axles has plugs both on the diff pan and the cast steel housing.

EDIT: I take that back, only the front diff has two plugs.

Do you mean that I should only fill the front diff through the case plug? If so, why is that?

Click to expand...

front and rear diffs are the same so when fitted to front the filler plug is on the opposite side on the front