I accidentally dropped a short (2" Long) plastic hose in the filler hole of my rear differential and could not fish it back out (I was replacing the Differential Fluid). What would you recommend I do? Do I have to dismantle the whole differential? I tried draining it but the hose did not come out. What would happen if I fill the diffential back up, drive around a little, then drain it to get the plastic pieces out? Metal gears vs. plastic hose - the metal should chew up the plastic. Just not sure how to get the plastic bits past the gears so they will drain out if I do this.... Any creative ideas? I'm sure I'm not the first person this has happened to...

 

Just pop the rear differential cover off. Very simple...

 

I did consider that, but there are about 8 bolts and I can't get to the bolts on the top. Seems like I would have to dissconnect the axles first then drop the diffential? when done just replace cover and tighten bolts? Do you know torque specs? No need to worry about tolerances because I did not touch them, right?

 

Go purchase whatever tools you need to access the bolts out of reach. No torque specs, just tight enough. And no, no need to worry about tolerances...