2006 XK8 convertible with 119,400 miles....

For those of you who have already drained and refilled your rear differential gear oil, exactly where is the drain/fill plug located? The crude drawing of the rear axle that I found on my JTIS CD does not mention or label its location. It may be on the back side of the differential casing in the upper right-hand corner as you stand at the rear of the car facing forward. JTIS simply states that "the assembly is filled for life using a thermally stable lubricant". Any photos of a differential showing the drain/fill plug location would be much appreciated....

 

There is a Youtube video available but it’s a 1999. Link below

 

Thanks for the video. It does seem to confirm that the drain/fill plug is located where I thought it would be (if the location did not change for the 4.2 drivetrain). We do not plan to drill a hole in the trunk, though....

 

It's the same location, just harder to access because of the plate that was added to the 4.2. I have a piece of square tubing jammed into the plug so all I need is a ratchet wrench from the side to remove the plug.

 

Great idea keeping a piece of square tubing jammed into the drain/fill plug so you can save some time on future drain-and-fills. We plan to use a piece of 1/2-inch square stock. I have read that it needs to be no more than an inch long in order to accomplish the job. Can you confirm?

 

That's probably correct. A little longer may be okay, but I wouldn't go any shorter.

 

Thanks for the confirmation. We know this is going to be a tough job....

 

This is how I did my 99 xk8.

Link. JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

Gus
JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

 

Thanks Gus. Your guidance is much appreciated....

By the way, what was causing your original differential gear oil to leak or weep?

 

Leaking seal.

 

Thanks Gus....

At Wayne's request I have ordered a new front seal from Autozone just in case we decide that we need to replace it. Absolutely no fluid drips on the concrete underneath the vehicle at this point but we realize that we cannot fully assess the situation until the rear end is on jack stands and we can get great looks at the entire differential area. Now all we need is some cool autumn weather but it will be awhile longer before that shows up in our neck of the woods....

 

Jon, the 1/2" bar stock is optimum length at 3/4"-7/8" using a 1/2" thin wrench to loosen. The Harbor Freight pump is your friend to get the fluid in.

 

Thanks - that is indeed our plan as long as we discover no leaks or weeps coming from the differential's front seal....

 

Wayne (cjd777) and I are planning to attempt the rear differential fluid drain-and-fill procedure on my wife's 2006 XK8 this coming Thursday morning (November 7th) at Wayne's home shop in Spencer. It should be a gorgeous autumn morning here in North Carolina, ideal for this difficult-to-access job. Anyone in the area who wants to join us for the job and then a great BBQ lunch afterwards is certainly welcome....

 

Jon, look forward to the BBQ, stinky rear oil running down my arm, not so much. LOL
Should be a great day.

 

Wayne, Jon, thanks for the invite. Any other time I would jump at the chance, however we are expecting our sixth grandchild any minute. Again thanks.

 

Next time Dr D, look forward to it.

 

Good luck with this Wayne and Jon.
It is on my to-do list but thankfully a long way down as it looks like a bear.

On the bright side, Jaguar has provided an access hole in the A-frame for the (non-existent) drain plug.

 

Michaelh, We will write up as much as we can that is anyway different form all that was done my others.
If I had a spare rear, I would try to add a plug like I did on the Spit6, as in it's great wisdom, Triumph didn't add one to the Spitfire or GT6.
I would have to take one out to see where to drill and tap the 1/2 inch tap thread. I tried a 1/4 first but it didn't drain very well. .

 

Dr. D,

Wayne and I get together at his home shop several times each year to tackle whatever needs to be done on these XK8s. Hopefully you will be able to join us next time....




Michael,

We know this rear differential fluid job will indeed be a challenge. Gus was able to do it on his much earlier model. My understanding is that we will have more bracing components in our way on this 2006 model. Once we have the rear of the car up on jack stands and can get a good look at what we are facing, Wayne's improvisation will begin....