[Rangerdb]

The front differential mounting bracket broke for the second time on my uforce 500. In order to change the bracket, you have to remove the front diff. Well, it could be done without removing it completely buy I want to check the pinion bearing and seals. I'm having a problem with the electrical plug on the gear motor on the front of the differential. The plastic plug is broken (see pic) and the wires don't seem to want to come out. It looks like it was filled with silicone. Has anyone had thiers off and know if thats how they come from the factory?

I've never had mine apart, however the dealer did last year to replace the bracket the first time. I'm not sure if they broke the plug and just filled it with silicone to keep the wires in or if it comes factory that way.

[NMKawierider]

I was doing a little research on them as I thought I saw some oil coming out of my plug. There have been some discussions on how hard the plug comes off, that getting to the one retainer clip was tough but no where was it mentioned that there was any silicone used or found when removed. So...that must be something the dealer did. And as I see it on yours, when I do pull mine and if there is any oil behind it...I know what to do...lol.

Just dig it out. You can always re-fill it later.

[Rangerdb]

I didn't think the silicone was supposed to be in there, there is no way to get the wires out without removing the silicone. At first when I saw the broken plug, I thought well maybe a stick or rock got up in there an broke it. When I saw the silicone, I pretty much ruled that out. I think the mechanic at the dealer tried to pull it off with a pair of pliers and broke the plastic. I'll dig the silicone out tomorrow and see how it looks.

[glenlivet]

That would be a pretty unethical move, for someone to break an electrical plug on a new machine and then just fill the thing with silicone glue to hide his screwup, and not disclose it to a buyer. I wouldn't want a 'mechanic' like that on my payroll.

[Rangerdb]

I found out today that the plugs on the gear motor do come with the silicone in them but they aren't meant to come off. The wires from the 2 plugs join as one to another plug up in behind the grill in front of the radiator. The plugs circled in green don't come off, the one with the red square is located behind the grill. That's why NMKawierider never found any mention of the silicone.

I'm still not sure if the mechanic broke the plug originally but it looks like groove from pliers on it so I'm guessing that's what happened. Seems he didn't know they are supposed to unplug either.

As a bonus, while looking for a pic of the gear motor, i found out I can get them on amazon for my uforce 500 for $44 and change if I ever need one.

[NMKawierider]

So they don't come off after all...good to know...I was about to get in there with some tools and check it out. Good to know they are only 44 bucks on Amazon. I'm sure the Zs use the same and the Us.