- Joined
- Feb 14, 2023
- Messages
- 4
Has anyone seen a 2023 GMC sierra 2500 without a drain plug in the rear differential?
Rear differential
- Thread starter joe denali
- Start date
AFAIK GM rear diffs never had drain plugs, just a fill plug.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Yep - I just back out bolts until they drain - dump a half quart of cheap gear oil through - tighten and fill with Delvac 1.
I coulda sworn our old '02 Silverado 1500 did in the 8.6 rear (front is a given).
See also, this looks to be a 2500:
They didn't make it all the way through the GMT800s though IIRC. Save a few pennies and all that.
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2023
- Messages
- 4
My 2017 HD had one.
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2023
- Messages
- 4
Photos or it didn’t happen.
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2023
- Messages
- 4
This was for an LP5 Turbo diesel which gets you a 14 bolt 11.5 inch AAM rear end. That will get you a drain plug evidently, so I guess it’s not true that Chevy trucks don’t have drain plugs. However, you won’t get a 14 bolt AAM in a 1500 pickup. Still, good info that there is a drain plug on the AAM.
Last edited:
The earlier years DM 11.5" AAM also got a drain in the bottom. By earlier, I mean 2002-2010 with the 3.5" axle tubes. I think the later 11.5" AAM with 4" tubes retained the plug. Keep in mind some GM HD trucks are now getting a 12" AAM (for a few years now) and I am not familiar with the housing differences.
My 'new' Ram is a 2014 3500 SRW, also with the 11.5" AAM, but no drain plug anywhere in the housing. The RAM and GM housings were always unique, despite both being 11.5" AAM.
Some of the Ford/Sterling axles have one of the pan bolts drilled through the housing, so it serves as a drain plug.
Does the OP have a newer truck with a 12" AAM, an 11.5" AAM, or a gasser with the gm corp 10.5? The world may never know.
My 'new' Ram is a 2014 3500 SRW, also with the 11.5" AAM, but no drain plug anywhere in the housing. The RAM and GM housings were always unique, despite both being 11.5" AAM.
Some of the Ford/Sterling axles have one of the pan bolts drilled through the housing, so it serves as a drain plug.
Does the OP have a newer truck with a 12" AAM, an 11.5" AAM, or a gasser with the gm corp 10.5? The world may never know.
Last edited:
I had a 2001 GMC Yukon that had both a drain and fill plug.
1963 thru 1982 Corvettes did not have a drain plug; you suck it out. I always thought of drilling and tapping a small plug thread in the bottom...
I never knew. That's kinda cool.
I have a 2008 Chevy 3/4 ton with 10.5 inch 14 bolt corporate rear end. The fill plug is on the passenger side of the diff and there is no drain plug. In fact, the rear cover has no plug at all.
