Rear diff gear oil change question

[g23owner]

I just bought my '07 LC (115k mi from orig owner). I'm now baselining the car, similar to when I bought my 80 series a few years ago by changing out all the fluids. I started with the rear end. I drained the rear diff oil and looked to be in pretty good shape but was a little low based on how much I drained.

When I refilled it, it took over the prescribed 3.4 qts and still wasn't dripping out the fill hole. I put in just under 4 qts to get it to .25" of the fill hole.

3 questions:
1. Has anyone experienced this? Or have most people filled it w/3.4 qts and have the oil running out the fill hole?

2. Is there an axle seal near the rear diff center section meets the axle tube (to prevent gear oil from running down the axle tube)?

3. Or is the inner axle seal at the end of the axle tube (near the hub flange plate) the only axle seal that separates gear oil from the pressed on bearing on the axle shaft? If yes, does that mean that gear oil can travel down the axle tube freely, which may explain why I was able to over fill the pumpkin?

I plan on checking for leaks today. I didn't see any signs of a bad pinion seal. I also plan on checking the breather tube to make sure it's not clogged.

Thanks in advance for any help. Definitely appreciated!
Thanks Rich

 

[jemsec]

Make sure you're on level ground and not jacked up in the rear. Fill until it starts running out the fill hole. Unless you have leaks, don't worry about anything else.

 

[Rigger]

X2


I filled mine til it ran out. I let it drip til it stopped. Put the plug in. She's good.

I didn't keep close track of how much it took. About 3.5 quarts IIRC.

 

[g23owner]

Thx for all the replies.

I confirmed that the breather tube was NOT clogged and no seal leak. So I guess I will monitor the rear diff fluid level to make sure it doesn't get too low. It's just weird that it took 4qts to fill it. The transfer case and front diff were spot on for their fill capacities.

Also did a fluid exchange on the transmission yesterday. Doing coolant today.

LOVE my 100!

 

[g23owner]

Jemsec,
Good point re: being on level ground. Unfortunately that wasn't the cause as I was performing this is my garage so about as close as I'll get to level.