I have been thinking of doing an oil change on my 2005 Aviator tranny.
Can the large plug with the standpipe in it be removed or is it welded or pressed into place?
What is the differences between the 5r55w and the N and S versions looking at it from the outside?
I would also like to change the rear diffy oil because of the howling and other issues I read about. My brother had to have his diffy in his 2002 Explorer rebuilt, and it still whines a bit. I'm sure the Aviator has the same diffy and tranny, and I want to prevent trouble now while it's working good.
I also want to flush and change the coolant. I always used to install a flushing tee in the heater hose going from the engine to the heater, pull the upper rad hose off at the rad and flush backward through the engine to the rad and out the inlet. Will that work with this one?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

on the tranny, the big plug drains the oil. THere is a 2 inch tall standtube on that plug. the small plug that looks like 1/8 inch pipe plug is where you refill with a weed sprayer type pump.. the oil goes in untill it fills the pan to the top of the 2 inch stand tube in teh big plug.. pull the big plug and drain and you will get the idea......... rear end can be many things. my 2002 has a slight whine. it is loudest at 60 MPH. It goes away if you take your foot off the gas pedal.. that means its not a bearing, its gear whine. You can change the oil viscosity , etc and that can help.. i use 75w 140 full synthetic with the friction modifier, even tho i dont have a Limit slip rear endd.. about 2/3 of the noise goes away.. been there for 100k miles....... your idea with the radiator flush is good.

 

OK thanks Steve.