How To: Change Rear Differential Fluid

[dixie_boysles]

Written By: dixie_boysles (http://www.fordrangerforum.com/members/dixie_boysles.html)


Discalimer: Neither I nor this site takes any responsibility in any damage or actions resulting from this . When performing this, you are doing so at your own risk

In this how-to I will be showing you my method to replacing the gear oil in your rear differential. There may be other ways, but this is the way that I found best. This was for my 04' Lariat with 3.73 Limit Slip.

Materials needed:

- 3 Qrts of 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Oil (I used Mobil 1) (your truck may call for different fluids)
- 1 Tube of TransX Friction Modifier (for people with limited slip only!!!)
- 1 tube of RTV Sealant
- 1 Can of brake cleaner
- Old Rags

Tools Needed:

- 3/8" Drive Ratchet
- 1/2" Socket
- Extension
- 1/2" wrench if needed
- razor blade or gasket scraper
- Hammer
- Oil Drain pan

Tips:

- Wear old cloths as you dont want gear oil or rtv sealant on you
- I wore medical gloves to keep the smelly gear oil off my hands (that stuff stinks)
- you should always loosen the fill plug before you start the job to make sure the plug will come out. You'll be in a tough situation if you pull the pan, drain the fluid, re-install the pan then find out you can't get the fill plug out.


Procedure:

Gather Materials:

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_11-10-48_126.jpg

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_11-12-33_673.jpg

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_11-32-16_962.jpg

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_11-28-15_153.jpg

Put truck in park and apply brake. Place Oil catch pan under rear differential

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_11-11-43_4.jpg

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_12-57-28_208.jpg

Using the 1/2" Ratchet or Wrench, start loosening all of the bolts

I took them all out but the top Two, used them to hold the cover so it wouldnt fall for the next step.

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_11-10-02_40.jpg

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_11-20-57_532.jpg

Once that is done, it's time to break the seal. Using a combination of the screw driver and the hammer, try to pry away the bottom of the cover from the axle. dont force too much in one area.

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_11-18-02_938.jpg

Then oil should start to drain

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_11-20-49_44.jpg

When it drain all the oil then go ahead and remove the remaining two top bolts.

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_11-24-37_746.jpg

Use the razor blade to clean both mating surfaces on the axle and cover

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_11-32-53_860.jpg

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_11-24-43_259.jpg

Use brake cleaner to clean the gears and the back of the diff cover

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_11-30-26_557.jpg

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_11-57-16_286.jpg

Once both surfaces are clean, apply RTV sealant around all the holes and a good solid bead around the perimeter of the cover

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_12-09-41_403.jpg

Put cover on and hand tighten all the bolts, let RTV dry for an hour then tighten completely using a cross bolt pattern similar to tightening lugs for wheels.

Using the 3/8" drive ratchet, loosen oil drain plug

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_12-57-43_624.jpg

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/dixie_boysles/Pictures/2012-11-17_13-02-47_541.jpg

Once loose, begin filling. I mixed my friction modifier with a qrt before putting it in. fill until the oil is level with the fill hole. Plug the hole. Done.

[djfllmn]

maybe you should add this scott...make sure you can get the fill plug loose before you pop the cover off

[Jersey_Joe]

Nice write up Scott

[RhinoZ24]

One question, how did you clean the side of the gear facing the front when you used the brake cleaner. You can get to the back with the cover off, but what about the front?

[RhinoZ24]

Also, if I have non-limited slip, is there any other additive I put in, or just the gear oil? Since you said the friction modifier is for limited slip only.

[RhinoZ24]

Bump

[5.0Flareside]

No extra additive needed..


Sent from my iPhone 4 using Ford Power

[RhinoZ24]

No extra additive needed..

Sent from my iPhone 4 using Ford Power

Awesome, thanks. I'll hopefully pick up the gear oil and other stuff this weekend and get it done.