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front diff capacity question

Old Sep 3, 2012 | 11:30 AM
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front diff capacity question

I have a 2002 F250 SD 4x4 w/5.4. I drained the front differential gear lube and refilled with 2 qts of gear lube as specified in my owners manual. Actually the manual says 1.8l / 3.8 pts. The fluid level is not up to the fill hole and if I stick my little finger in the hole I can barely get any on the tip of my finger. The owners manual says these capacities are for F250/350 w/ Dana 50 axle. It then says F350/450/550 capacity as 2.7l / 5.8 pts with a Dana 60 axle. My question is should the fluid level be up to the fill hole, as with the transfer case and rear end levels? Could I have a Dana 60 with the higher gear oil capacity in my F250? Whats the proper gear oil level?
 
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Old Sep 4, 2012 | 10:44 AM
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D60 axle is a straight (rigid) axle from left wheel across to right wheel. D50 has a "hinge" in it on the pass side if the diff.
However, no matter what axle you have the fluid should be filled to the lower edge of the fluid level/fill bung with the truck sitting on level pavement.
 
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Old Sep 4, 2012 | 01:27 PM
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I thought it should be filled to the bottom of the fill plug hole. Thanks for confirming that. When you say rigid axle from left to right, you mean the axle housing correct? Both lft and rt axle housing tubes are rigid in the pumkin? That's what I have. It looks like the rear end, but turned around for the front. I never saw a front diff as you're describing the Dana 50, but then I never paid that much attention to it before.
 
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Old Sep 5, 2012 | 09:58 AM
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Good description of a D60, "looks like a rear end but turned around for the front". So sounds like you have a D60 axle.
The D50 is "hinged" so that it gives a form of independant front suspension but in doing so introduces a weak point.
 
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Old Sep 5, 2012 | 05:25 PM
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The hinged Dana 50 is from the previous 98 and under F-250's using the Twin Traction Beam suspension. The Super Duties can use either a Straight Dana 50 or 60. Check the axle code on the warranty sticker on the driver's door, the cast number on the cast diff section of the axle, and the Dana BOM number (Bill Of Materials) on the sticker on the axle tube and check the Dana website to see what axle you have.
Edit: according to Dana, you have a 60, but check your BOM for sure here:

http://www2.dana.com/expertforms/deabill.aspx
 
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