torque specs for front diff and rear diff

apollo18 · October 30, 2017

Did my fluids last night in a 2007 escalade ext, and on a YouTube video I saw the guy with the same truck and he did:

Front diff fill plug 13 lb foot
Front diff drain plug 13 lb foot
Rear fill plug 13 lb foot
Rear diff cover case 13 lb ft

i used the same torque specs that he did but when i read online it seems like its 24lb ft for the drain and fill plug, and then 29lb ft for the rear cover bolts.

ive been driving around for a day or two and no leaks. i should probably torque it up to 24 and 29 if its supposed to be that high

newdude · October 30, 2017

Specs are dependent on what rear axle you have. If its got a fill plug in the cover and no drain, specs are as follows:

Rear Axle:

Fill plug - 24ft.lbs. (fill plug in the cover itself)

Diff cover bolts - 30ft.lbs.

Front Axle:

Drain and fill plugs - 24ft.lbs.

sdeeter19555 · October 30, 2017

Ft-lb or in-lb? Seems high for a drain plug...

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007matman · October 30, 2017

I agree.. I'd double-check that. It seems high.

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apollo18 · October 30, 2017

Yeah I've read the same thing as @newdude

front diff fill plug and drain plug 24 ft lb

rear diff case bolts 29 ft lb

and rear diff fill plug 24 lb ft

thag means I should probably tightener up a bit more

sdeeter19555 · October 30, 2017

I would think 24 ft-lb on a cover bolt would warp the cover...or cause the seal to leak.

I only go a little beyond snug with a 1/4" ratchet...

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apollo18 · October 31, 2017

well i tightened up to 24 ft lbs for the plugs and the difference was minimal.
i barely applied any muscle and it clicked for 24. it was at 13 ft lbs before

is the difference between 13ft lbs and 24 ft lbs barely anything?

apollo18 · October 31, 2017

attached pic of service manual. he is correct. seems like 24 ft lbs for both the front and rear fill and drain plug and also 30lb ft for the case(i think its on the other page)

Cowpie · November 1, 2017

I have been changing diff and Xfer fluids since the late 1960's and I have never torqued down bolts on covers or plugs. I just have never considered it. Maybe just the way I was taught about such things growing up on the farm. I just do it by "feel". Now, of course, heads, manifolds, etc, they would get torqued. I guess I am always amazed at how much into detail some folks go regarding this sort of stuff. Nothing wrong with it. Not sure it is all that necessary though.

Edited November 1, 2017 by Cowpie

apollo18 · November 1, 2017

Yeah I know what you mean! It's just for piece of mind because when they were tightened with a wrench it leaked a slight bit so I torqued it to 29 each and now it seems like it's good. I checked the level as well and barely anything leaked iht

newdude · November 1, 2017

On ‎10‎/‎30‎/‎2017 at 1:45 PM, sdeeter19555 said:

Ft-lb or in-lb? Seems high for a drain plug...

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On ‎10‎/‎30‎/‎2017 at 3:03 PM, 007matman said:

I agree.. I'd double-check that. It seems high.

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All specs I posted are right from GM.

Edited November 1, 2017 by newdude

007matman · November 1, 2017

All specs I posted are right from GM.

Sounds good.

Just be careful though. I know I stripped one. Don't know if it's a manufacturer defect or what that caused it but I'm just happy it hasn't decided to leak.

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apollo18 · November 8, 2017

Wierd! Does seem tight but it must be right

ksfarmdude · December 7, 2017

special torques on drain plugs is redundant anyone who is mechanically inclined knows that drain plugs and fill plugs have little or no pressure from any leaks on them However I can see where a greenhorn may not know what tight enough is , different applications are more important such as Aluminum or magneseum cases or housing that can be damaged from over tightening