1997 Explorer AWD V6 SOHC

Wow I am lost. Sorry, a little bit of a newbie to 4WD. My manuals/documentation are sketchy, and pictures/diagrams not specific to my model.

I believe 60K is correct interval to change my front & rear differential fluids and transfer case fluid. I read conclusively that the rear should not need to be changed during life of vehicle unless leaking or submerged. Neither in my case. On to the front, which I believe should be at 30K intervals.

No such statement is made with regard to the front differential. I assume the housing the drive shaft connects to the transfer case. On this, I have located what appears to be a drain plug…it is a round plug threaded on the exterior with a square center to stick in a drive socket head. I assume I remove and pump the fluid out and replace it. I read that transmission fluid goes in here. Do I use the same Mercon V as the Automatic Transmission takes???

So if this is the transfer case, where is the front differential? It looks like what I previously identified as the transfer case is stock between the two axle rods….isn’t that where the differential goes? Am I not looking hard enough? Does anyone have an undercarriage image they could send me???

Am I over my head…should I take it to a garage?

Guidance would be sincerely appreciated.

Beerguy

 

The differentials are in between the wheel sets. So the front differential is in between the two front wheels, and the rear differential is between the rear wheels.

Yes, the front differential fluid should be changed at 30,000 miles, but there is no drain plug so it must be pumped out from the fill plug. Because of poor clearence, it is hard to get a tube into it.

If you have a limited slip rear differential, you do not need to change the fluid for at least 100,000 miles UNLESS the rear differential has been submerged in water. Then it must be replaced and a special modifier added.

The transfer case is located to the side of the transmission in the middle of the car. Two drive lines come out of it, one to the back, one to the front. It sounds like you have properly identified it. It is easy to change the fluid in it. There is a drain plug and a fill plug. Remove the fill plug first so that if it is stuck, you will know it BEFORE you drain the fluid. Check your owners manual for the type of fluid, but I believe it should take regular MERCON and not MERCON V. Often, Mercon V fluids are rated for Mercon applications, but I cannot speak to their compatability.

I don't think you are over your head on these. Just make sure you don't drink too much beer!

 

...and if the drain plug is stuck (like mine is) how do you get it out? Can I heat it or just WD40 for a few days?

 

The transfer case does take 2 3/4- 3quarts of regular ATF, not Mercon5. If you put Mercon 5 in it the clutch pack will slip and will give you a shudder, and ultimately fail. Ford put locktite on the fill plug, some PB Blaster should do it with a little heat from a mini torch.

 

I just went through the same operation today! however I'm a little worried that the oil I put back in the rear diff is wrong. It was called "Transmission-Differential-Hydraulic fluid for farm equipement"... The only stat I could find on it was that it was rated GL-4.

I am starting to think that I will at LEAST need to add friction modifier, and possibly redo it and put GL-5 rated stuff in. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Its on a 90 fullsize bronco, ford 8.8 axle i believe...

 

Might want to go to another forum to get the answers for Bronco. But the farm lubricants are not designed for highway speeds, but rather for extreme pressure. Unless I heard from an expert that it was okay, I would change it out with what Ford recommends in the owners manual.