Yep. 5mm flexi I/D tube for the diff, and got 3mm I/D ready for the PTU. B&Q (Home Depot!). I used a 100ml syringe from ebay (7 times full) for the diff.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112291770742?_tr...EBIDX%3AIT

Slow but necessary. I do have an oil syringe...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-Oil-Sucti...SwDN1UQUBL

...but it takes an 8mm I/D tube which was too inflexible to use. So I've just bought one of these to assist in future.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172494423374?_tr...EBIDX%3AIT

Simply infuriating that there's no drain plug on either of these components. I wonder if they rectiified it for the DS and other new models?

I also wonder if the metal diff filings are cause or symptom of failure?

DE,

Take a look at this video

2:02 Inside the differential, metal particles clearly visible, as well as some sludge

2:48 Failed Pinion Bearing, it looks like this is where the metal is coming from




Happy motoring

Paul

de1979 wrote:

Is it just me or does this look like it wants to be a drain plug? It's sealed and unthreaded though.

Click image to enlarge

Mr. Rover 75,

That's a strong endorsement.

Based on what I've read the team at Bell Engineering have come up with an improved pinion bearing design and I don't see anyone complaining about the result (no one complaining on the internet is a very rare thing).

Thanks for sharing

Paul

MRRover75 wrote:

On Bell Engineering's FB page, I just saw that Austen is adding a drain plug to this spot on his reconditioned diffs from now on. Nice add-on!

Where can I find that? Can't see any mention of it on the "Freelander 2" page ?

Hi

We have just started using this area to install a drain plug, it's the only area i feel is thick enough to take good thread to drill and tap. There are a few slight variations in the castings on the rear diffs, they all fit any car but there are some subtle differences in the castings and some don't have this face (it's a tooling locator for machining at the factory).

I can't find a suitable place to fit a haldex bung that is easily accessible while the a diff is fitted to the car, so sucking out the old fluid is only option for a straight fluid changed. To service the haldex properly it has to be removed anyway

The front diff hasnt such an obvious place to fit a drain, and the sump is very thin so still trying to work out a good place to add one. www.bellengineering.co.uk

de1979 wrote:

MRRover75 wrote:

On Bell Engineering's FB page, I just saw that Austen is adding a drain plug to this spot on his reconditioned diffs from now on. Nice add-on!

Where can I find that? Can't see any mention of it on the "Freelander 2" page ?

I haven't updated the website yet, i only started doing it last week www.bellengineering.co.uk

de1979 wrote:

MRRover75 wrote:

On Bell Engineering's FB page, I just saw that Austen is adding a drain plug to this spot on his reconditioned diffs from now on. Nice add-on!

Where can I find that? Can't see any mention of it on the "Freelander 2" page ?

I will need to do both my front and rear oils soon so this thread will help a great deal thank you to those whom have shared their knowledge Arctic

12 months have passed since my last post on this thread and I still have not found the time to do said jobs, therefore it looks like a visit to ( www.bellengineering.co.uk ) is imminent.

Arctic,

That’s an excellent solution!

The team at Bell Engineering come highly recommended by many Freel2 members.

As you have discovered this site is very useful for understanding what should be done proactively.

Let us know how your visit goes

Take care

Paul

p_gill wrote:

Here is the drain plug that I bought
Volvo Magnetic Differential Drain Plug - Dimple 30713275

I just use a magnet

I've decided to insert into the original plug hole (as it has one, in the center, 12x12), a cylindrical neodymium magnet and glue it there, just for making sure.

Alex

I didn’t see your post asking about a source for the part

Sorry about that

I like your solution

Let me know if the magnet collects anything

Good luck

Paul