changing different fluid
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
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changing different fluid
I called to get a price to have my rear diff fluid changed on my truck - $130 using a synthetic fluid, new gasket and LSD additive.
I consider myself mechanically inclined enough to do it myself, but have not done this before. Sooooooooooooo...
I have a Dana 60 3.54 rear end with LS on my 75 F250 2WD SCCS.
I can get a Felpro gasket locally and have the tools to do the job, including a fluid oil catch pan for the old fluid and a fluid transfer pump to fill the diff.
I no longer haul much of anything in the bed and occasionally tow my 17' jet boat, but I do enjoy a smokey spin once in a while.
Have said that - any specific recommendations for diff fluid and LSD additive for my application? And, how many quarts will I need for the correct fluid capacity? Last, is there something I can/should use to clean the gears before closing it back up and adding fluid?
Thank you.
I consider myself mechanically inclined enough to do it myself, but have not done this before. Sooooooooooooo...
I have a Dana 60 3.54 rear end with LS on my 75 F250 2WD SCCS.
I can get a Felpro gasket locally and have the tools to do the job, including a fluid oil catch pan for the old fluid and a fluid transfer pump to fill the diff.
I no longer haul much of anything in the bed and occasionally tow my 17' jet boat, but I do enjoy a smokey spin once in a while.
Have said that - any specific recommendations for diff fluid and LSD additive for my application? And, how many quarts will I need for the correct fluid capacity? Last, is there something I can/should use to clean the gears before closing it back up and adding fluid?
Thank you.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
For the oil change, pull the cover and let it drop. For the gasket, the gasket is nice but not needed or essential. Common practice is to clean well and use black RTV. Torque finger tight, let it sit for a couple hours and torque to spec... or use the gasket. For the lube, common parts store 80W90 + limited slip additive should work fine. If you are towing heavy, long and fast, the xxW-140 synthetics + limited slip additive would help with the high temps in this situation. Short, light or local tows should not need the extra temperature capability of synthetics.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Clean back side of differential as much as possible before starting.
Loosen the fill plug.
With catch pan in place, only loosen the top number of mounting bolts and then remove the lower mounting bolts. Gently pry the bottom of the cover and drain the gear oil. Now completely remove the differential cover. Drain thoroughly and sop up any remaining gear oil with paper towels. Ya might want to wear latex gloves cuz gear oil has a high sulfur content and you'll smell like a rotten egg even after washing your hands.
Clean the differ cover and its mating surface on the pumpkin. Use brake cleaner for a final wipe down.
Apply a thin 1/8-inch bead of black RTV on the pumpkin and around the bolt holes. Let outgas for about 10 minutes and then apply the gasket. A little goes a long way. The gasket should stay in place.
While waiting for the above, apply a thin 1/8-inch bead on the diff cover the same way ya did on the pumpkin.
Assemble. Evenly snug up the bolts... Btw, if the RTV oozes out that's a sign too much was applied.
DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN..in fact, torque to spec. Let the RTV do the sealing.. not the gasket compression!
This should take less than one hour.
Loosen the fill plug.
With catch pan in place, only loosen the top number of mounting bolts and then remove the lower mounting bolts. Gently pry the bottom of the cover and drain the gear oil. Now completely remove the differential cover. Drain thoroughly and sop up any remaining gear oil with paper towels. Ya might want to wear latex gloves cuz gear oil has a high sulfur content and you'll smell like a rotten egg even after washing your hands.
Clean the differ cover and its mating surface on the pumpkin. Use brake cleaner for a final wipe down.
Apply a thin 1/8-inch bead of black RTV on the pumpkin and around the bolt holes. Let outgas for about 10 minutes and then apply the gasket. A little goes a long way. The gasket should stay in place.
While waiting for the above, apply a thin 1/8-inch bead on the diff cover the same way ya did on the pumpkin.
Assemble. Evenly snug up the bolts... Btw, if the RTV oozes out that's a sign too much was applied.
DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN..in fact, torque to spec. Let the RTV do the sealing.. not the gasket compression!
This should take less than one hour.
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fordmanss12
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Sep 27, 2004 02:40 PM
