Front End Diff ?
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Joined: Oct 2001
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Front End Diff ?
How do i change the front diff oil? (I know this is a dumb question,But im a dumb guy) But i notice ford used a different kind of front axel that i have not had any kind of experience working on.
It is leaking some oil and i was wondering if there is a gasket or something that might need to be replaced?
And on the rear end i guess all i do is pop off the Diff Cover,Let the oil drain,Replace the gasket and fill it back up?
O and This is on a 91 f150 lariat 4x4 w/ 351w
Later
The Man
It is leaking some oil and i was wondering if there is a gasket or something that might need to be replaced?
And on the rear end i guess all i do is pop off the Diff Cover,Let the oil drain,Replace the gasket and fill it back up?
O and This is on a 91 f150 lariat 4x4 w/ 351w
Later
The Man
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Front End Diff ?
The front assembly (a Dana 44 IFS) is designed such that to pull the cover, the driveshaft and axles must be removed. You'll notice how the cover is actually the greater part of the housing, bolted to the backside of the drivers side axle arm. I absolutely despise the design. If you desire to only change the fluid and ignore the leak, the old crap must be pumped out through the filler plug on the front. Putting a fresh seal on mandates disassembly of most of your front end.
You're right about the rear. I think your '91 still goes without a gasket, however. Try an 1/8" bead of blue RTV sealer around the cover, surrounding the bolt holes. Secure the cover, torque the bolts to 24-28 ft. lbs in a criss-crossing pattern. Let it set for about a half hour or longer, and refill. Hope this helps.
You're right about the rear. I think your '91 still goes without a gasket, however. Try an 1/8" bead of blue RTV sealer around the cover, surrounding the bolt holes. Secure the cover, torque the bolts to 24-28 ft. lbs in a criss-crossing pattern. Let it set for about a half hour or longer, and refill. Hope this helps.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
Front End Diff ?
Ah, that must be why the manual does not recommend chaning the front end fluid.
I guess it is OK since 99.9% of the time it is free wheeling with no load.
Always good stuff to learn on this site.
Jim Henderson
I guess it is OK since 99.9% of the time it is free wheeling with no load.
Always good stuff to learn on this site.
Jim Henderson
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Front End Diff ?
>Where is the leak ? A lot of differential leaks can be the
>vent tube clogged esp of its the pinion seal .
I really dont know where the oil is coming from its kind of hard to tell,After posting this lastnight i looked and noticed that the oil is black not the color of the oil in the diff the oil in the diff is kinda grey so i could have oil leaking out of the oil pan onto the pumpkin.
Im going to change the rear diff oil tomorrow does it matter what kind of oil i use.
Thanks
>vent tube clogged esp of its the pinion seal .
I really dont know where the oil is coming from its kind of hard to tell,After posting this lastnight i looked and noticed that the oil is black not the color of the oil in the diff the oil in the diff is kinda grey so i could have oil leaking out of the oil pan onto the pumpkin.
Im going to change the rear diff oil tomorrow does it matter what kind of oil i use.
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Missoula USA - God Bless
Front End Diff ?
Gear Lube please use Gear lube otherwise youll really be hating life
F-250 now 350 4x4 ext cab SB Green Monster (Used to have)205000 miles, Mass air 460 w/ performance heads, E40d to 5spd conversion, 205 T-case, 4.11 gears, Power-Lok equipt dana 60 front, Doug Thorleys and swapped in EFI 33 gallon bronco rear tank. 33's on 16x8" Outlaw II's, Truck is destined to be a 5.9L cummins diesel 5spd.
F-250 now 350 4x4 ext cab SB Green Monster (Used to have)205000 miles, Mass air 460 w/ performance heads, E40d to 5spd conversion, 205 T-case, 4.11 gears, Power-Lok equipt dana 60 front, Doug Thorleys and swapped in EFI 33 gallon bronco rear tank. 33's on 16x8" Outlaw II's, Truck is destined to be a 5.9L cummins diesel 5spd.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2001
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Front End Diff ?
I had that same question myself after I bought my 87 F150 4x4. I always like to change out all the fluids after I buy a vehicle so I scratched my head for a while. While browsing through my local parts store I saw this nifty little pump for adding geal oil to a transmission or differential because some of the fill holes are impossible to use with those gear lube containers. I've ended up with more than a quart of 90 weight gear lube all over my head while trying to get fluid back into a transmission. I think valvoline made this one and it was all of $3.50, I just reversed it and pumped out the front diff oil and pumped new stuff back in. Glad I did it as I only took out half a liter and put more than that back in, so it was low.
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Senior User
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Front End Diff ?
    As the other poster said, you must use gear lube in the differentials. It should be 80W-90 weight, unless your manual recommends otherwise. I know the heavy duty applications need 70W-140 or something around those numbers.
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From: NJ
Front End Diff ?
Just a thought, have you changed your motor oil recently? I've found on my Bronco when I change the filter some motor oil always leaks down onto the top of the pumkin and has a tendancy to drip for a day or 2 no matter how much I wipe it off.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 250
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From: South Carolina
Front End Diff ?
Just want to let ya'll know what I did. When I changed my front gears, I noticed that in the bottom of the front diff carrier, right on the edge of where the cover comes under it, there is a dimple in the casting. I used this dimple as a starting spot and drilled and tapped a pipe plug into the bottom of the carrier. Now when I think I need to change the front diff oil, I can pull this plug and drain the oil. It has worked great for me, and the casting there was very thick, so I don't think I have hurt the strength at all. I am not sure if this could be done while the diff is installed but if you took your time, and were carefull......Good luck. My 2c's.
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Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Connecticut
Front End Diff ?
I agree with the last post. I drilled and tapped a 1/2-13 hole in the bottom of the case and used a stainless steel bolt with a copper washer to seal. Just make sure the bolt does not contact the ring gear. Otherwise you must use a pump which leaves contaminants at the bottom. Make sure the oil is warm if you use a pump.
Mark
Mark
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