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Fill plug on D44 rear cover

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by dbrito, Aug 29, 2010.

  1. dbrito

    dbrito New Member

    Before my question I'd like to say that 2 months ago I bought my new toy, a 65 CJ5, the next day I started the investigation of what the jeep was made of (the po only knew it was a 65 CJ5). I found this site that evening and my keyboard will never be clean again.
    There have been numerous times I’ve had questions and always found they’d already been asked and answered; so thanks to all, this is the best jeep forum with tons of knowledge.
    So here is my question… Has anyone had an issue with the fill plug hitting the bolting on the differential?
    Thanks for any info
    Just saw how to post pic's:
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    Last edited: Aug 29, 2010
  2. dnb71R2

    dnb71R2 SuperDave 2023 Sponsor

    No...not that I know of anyway.
    Please post a picture of your differential that includes the rear cover and fill plug location.
     
  3. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    I have once or twice, usually when someone has overtightened the fill plug repeateadly and the fill plug threads in too deep. A new/used cover should be easy to find. I think I have an extra or two in the garage. If you plan on going off road I'd find one from the front of a Wagoneer, Dodge, Jeep pu, Chev, whatever. Reason is the fronts are usually much thicker and can be had cheap. If not going off road I'd just find another 44 cover that can be thick or thin.
     
  4. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Doesn't look to be in the picture, but maybe the cover is mashed in a little?
     
  5. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Yep...
     
  6. dbrito

    dbrito New Member

    Thanks , I'll look for a new cover. I figured that over tightening of the plug is most likely the problem, but not knowing much about diff’s & gears yet, I thought I would ask the experts. Does this look like a normal D44? The stamped #’s on the ring: 10 28 68 DANA 18525 A3D49 44-9, the diff: 1 20 65 B 28578X.
     
  7. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Yup, standard 44 with a Powerlock Limited slip. 44-9 is the ring gear and drive pinion gear tooth counts. Indicates 4.89-1 ratio commonly referred to as 4.88's. Good low ratio and the best limited slip IHMO. Fully rebuildable and stronger than an open case as they use 4 pinion gears (spider gears).
     
  8. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    not much wiggle room for the fill plug with a powerlock
     
  9. blazer

    blazer Member

    looks like someone used pipe plug instead of normal fill plug
     
  10. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Could be. Some have that style plug though.

    As mentioned earlier, you can go with the heavy front cover from a Wagoneer or whatever - anything with a D44 front - as an upgrade. BJ's sells them

    http://www.bjsoffroad.com/CartGenie/prod-431.htm

    Members of IFSJA get a discount www.ifsja.org

    This is what I put on the CJ-6 (due to a leaky cover with that goofy plastic plug).
     
  11. Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Let me clarify this. What you see is a fill/pipe plug the difference is in a wet or dry seal plug. Dry seal plugs are shorter and the taper is the same but slighlty larger in diameter, about .015". The wet seal is intended to be sealed with dope or tape not by pressure of the plug.
     
  12. Brdjeep

    Brdjeep New Member

    Happened to me once. Wasn't using a cover gasket at the time due to an impromptu repair. After putting a gasket on the plug did not interfere. I also removed the plug and shaved the plug on a stationary belt sander.