Question about front diff drain plug washer

So I recently upgraded to 5.29s and I just hit 500 miles to change my diff oil. I just finished changing the front, got it all filled, and was cleaning up when I realized there is a copper washer that fell off the drain plug into my drain pan that I did not see and did not install when I put the drain plug back in.

My question, can I just wait until I need to change next time to re-install it? Should I just go ahead, bite the bullet, and drain the new oil to put it back on?

 

Why would you drain the fluid to replace the washer? I’m sure you will lose a little bit of fluid but you can always just add some.

 

Just get a new washer on the plug and top off the diff .

 

Oh sorry, I didn't mean I would need to drain it all, it's just I was just wondering if it was that important to reinstall it. I've got a limited amount of oil and still need to do the rear. Long story even longer, I got my gears changed out at Nitro Gears and bought their synthetic gear oil and I've only got 7 quarts. It's a 2 hour drive to get more

EDIT: Mostly I'm just mad at my stupidity and was trying to talk myself out of needing to do more work to undo it. It sounds like I need to do the right thing, which is just put the damn thing back on now.

 

Im pretty sure it’s a crush washer meaning you need a new one . The old one is done .

 

They’re washers to prevent leaking. If it’s not leaking, then it’ll be fine without a washer. But it’ll probably leak.

 

Oh, good to know, there was no mention of that from the folks at at the shop, nor in the videos I watched, thanks for the info!

 

I honestly don’t think those brass washers are crush washers. They are not like the engine oil drain plug washer. I re installed my old diff washers and no issues here.

 

It’s possible I’m no mechanic

 

They’re not crush washers in the sense that they’re not the same design as others and actually crush down, but they do perform the same function and do deform a little. But you have a much better chance reusing one of those vs an actual crush washer.

 

I did the same thing on the rear diff of my '05 and rather than lose a bunch of oil replacing the washer I decided to just keep an eye on it. In 30,000 miles it never leaked a drop.

You'll likely be fine, but just watch it to be sure.

 

Yeah, makes sense.

Funny story. I did the oil changes on my ranger for about 7 years using the same crush washer, never had a leak. I just didn’t know any better. I did have to get a new drain plug at some point though.

 

Here's what it looks like, not sure if this helps.

 

I’d get everything lined up and do the fasted swap ever. I bet you don’t lose much diff-juice. Or Get your wife or girlfriend to stuff a finger in the drain hole . Don’t forget to take a pic.
Then go buy flowers STAT.

 

Same.

I didn't even start changing crush washers at all until I was in my late 20's, and I did a LOT of oil changes before I made it there. lol

 

Copper washer. Put it back on there..
You won't lose 10￠in fluid.

Edit: Drain and refill. LOL

 

Idk how fast y’all are at wrenching but damn. You really think you could pull the drain plug, put a washer on it, and reinstall without losing much oil? There’s only a quart and a half in there.

OP, if you have a clean container you could drain it out into that and just pump it back in. Also if you’re going to go through the effort of putting the washer back on, may as well get a new one.

$7 90430-24003 Front Differential Drain Plug Gasket

90430-24003

 

That copper washer is the drain plug washer. Ok to reuse. Fill plug has a stainless steel crush washer that should be replaced.

Yes you should drain the dif and install that drain plug washer.

 

You're right, you're not covering that hole with a thumb..