Why would you take a car to the dealer to get the axle fluid changed in the first place??? I agree with Kawazar about the broken seal thing. I like to keep the factory seal intact. I have changed axle fluid in hundreds of vehicles and lots of them will leak. If there is no concern about the gears then do it the easy, clean way.

 

OK, choice #2 it is.

 

I posted this because everytime I have taken a diff cover off I sometimes run into a problem with the seal. It seems to be from fluid getting between the seal and the housing or cover. As you know no matter how long you let it drain (Maybe if you left it overnight) you always get that little drop that starts running out of the bottom before you get the cover on. I just hate dealing with it. That is why I was looking for ideas on draining instead of pulling the cover. The manual recommends every 12000mi to 22000mi depending on how hard you work it.

 

I know exactly where you are coming from man. If there is no problems and you just want to change the fluid, go with the tube idea.

 

when i changed my axle fluid,i wanted to know what was inside there.if nothing else,it was piece of mind knowing that there were no chips or metal shavings in the diff..this way you can wipe off the magnet while your in there.i used rtv on the fr but the rear i just used the gasket from advance auto.torqued bolts down in the criss-cross pattern to specs and no leaks.woo hoo.