Questions about changing trans and diff fluids.
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Senior User
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From: Huntsville, AL
Questions about changing trans and diff fluids.
First question: On 9" rear do you drain the fluid via a plug or do you have to pump it out through the filler. What weight fluid should I use?
Second question: On the 3 spd manual where is the drain plug located. What weight fluid should I use?
Thanks
Second question: On the 3 spd manual where is the drain plug located. What weight fluid should I use?
Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: So Cal
I don't know your model so I can only give general info.
On most diffs you either have a drain plug usually like a giant set screw or you have to remove the diff cover. I think there are a few with no cover and no plug so you either have to pump or pull the gear carrier forward a bit to break the seal.
If there is a plug, usually it is very obvious and normally either right on the bottom or very near the bottom of the differential.
If you remove the gear carrier or a diff cover, you probably will need a new gasket and maybe sealer. With a 73 I would guess you will need a sealer.
If you have a cover, be sure to take a look around and inspect for metal bits and check for even gear wear and broken teeth etc.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
On most diffs you either have a drain plug usually like a giant set screw or you have to remove the diff cover. I think there are a few with no cover and no plug so you either have to pump or pull the gear carrier forward a bit to break the seal.
If there is a plug, usually it is very obvious and normally either right on the bottom or very near the bottom of the differential.
If you remove the gear carrier or a diff cover, you probably will need a new gasket and maybe sealer. With a 73 I would guess you will need a sealer.
If you have a cover, be sure to take a look around and inspect for metal bits and check for even gear wear and broken teeth etc.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Cleveland, WI USA
There is no diff cover or drain plug on a 9" There's a fill hole at the top, but that's it.
You have 3 options for draining the 9". 1) suck the fluid out through the fill hole, 2) pull the axles and loosen/remove the 3rd member/center section, or 3) remove one axle and tip the truck sideways.
The best way is to loosen the 10 nuts on the front of the center section and crack it away from the housing. I would pull the axles first and completely remove the center section and replace the gasket while you're there. It's usually on there pretty good and requires some "persuasion", which may damage the gasket.
If you don't want to pull the axles, just loosen the 10 nuts and CAREFULLY pry or tap the center section loose. You shouldn't have to unbolt the drive shaft if you go this route. Make sure you have a big pan to catch all the lube. It tends to go everywhere. Oh, and it really stinks!
No clue on the manula tranny drain.
Good luck.
Kevin K.
You have 3 options for draining the 9". 1) suck the fluid out through the fill hole, 2) pull the axles and loosen/remove the 3rd member/center section, or 3) remove one axle and tip the truck sideways.
The best way is to loosen the 10 nuts on the front of the center section and crack it away from the housing. I would pull the axles first and completely remove the center section and replace the gasket while you're there. It's usually on there pretty good and requires some "persuasion", which may damage the gasket.
If you don't want to pull the axles, just loosen the 10 nuts and CAREFULLY pry or tap the center section loose. You shouldn't have to unbolt the drive shaft if you go this route. Make sure you have a big pan to catch all the lube. It tends to go everywhere. Oh, and it really stinks!
No clue on the manula tranny drain.
Good luck.
Kevin K.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: So Cal
As far as fluid you would probably be OK with either 75W90 or maybe a 90W140 in warmer climates. I am pretty sure they didn't use ATF in manuals and diffs in those early years. I could be wrong so wouldn't hurt to get info from someone who really knows. You can also tell by watching it drain. Real thin like water is probably ATF. Thick like thick oil is probably manual fluid probably a GL5 type.
Don't know if you have limited slip, if you do you might need LS additive.
If your tranny has a drain plug it will be either on the bottom of the diff or on the side near the bottom. It probably looks like a big set screw with a 3/8 inch square drive hole or it might be a plug with a square drive head. Since you didn't mention it and since I don't know your truck, you probably do need to suck it out with one of those pump thingies.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Don't know if you have limited slip, if you do you might need LS additive.
If your tranny has a drain plug it will be either on the bottom of the diff or on the side near the bottom. It probably looks like a big set screw with a 3/8 inch square drive hole or it might be a plug with a square drive head. Since you didn't mention it and since I don't know your truck, you probably do need to suck it out with one of those pump thingies.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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From: Huntsville, AL
Yes it looks like the pump option is the way to go. I just power washed the rear and can't find anything which resembles a drain plug, just the filler plug. As for the tranny I gues I need to take a closer look. The truck is an all original 73 302-2v with 750000 mi with the 3 spd on the column.
Anyone have insight into these 3 speeds as I have found zero info on it.
Thanks!
Anyone have insight into these 3 speeds as I have found zero info on it.
Thanks!
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Cleveland, WI USA
Acording to my Haynes manual, the recommended fluid for the manual tranny and transfer case from 73-79 is SAE 140W gear oil. The differential fluid recommended is SAE 90W (80w90 is pretty much the same thing). Dont forget the friction modifyer if you have the Traction-Lok (posi).
My book says the drain plug and filler plug for the manual tranny are on the side of the tranny case next to the ID tag.
It also says to suck the rear diff fluid out through the fill hole. You should drive adound for a while first to warm up the fluid. That stuff is THICK and will take forever if it's cold.
Hope this helps.
Kevin K.
My book says the drain plug and filler plug for the manual tranny are on the side of the tranny case next to the ID tag.
It also says to suck the rear diff fluid out through the fill hole. You should drive adound for a while first to warm up the fluid. That stuff is THICK and will take forever if it's cold.
Hope this helps.
Kevin K.
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From: Huntsville, AL
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Post Fiend
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From: Missouri
At the lube rack where I worked we used the sucker. I think that method sucks (no pun intended) as you don't get the shavings, but is better than nothing. I am going to see if there is room on my 9" to install a mini drain plug in the bottom. The tranny pan drain plug kits work great. They are a little too big I think for the 9". The best way is to slide the axles out as mentioned above.
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From: Huntsville, AL
I am stumped!!! I still can't find the DRAIN plug on my 3 speed column shift trans ('73 F100). I found the FILLER plug which is high up on the passenger side of the tranny. I found all the bolts for the tailshaft and that goto the bellhousing. The only possiblity is a bolt (perhaps the drainplug) that is located on the driverside in a tight spot where the linkage goes into the tranny. This bolt or plug appears to sit way too high up on the tranny to be a drain plug!! If it matters the case is stamped ORION(above this mystery bolt) and the tag on the tranny (above the filler plug) reads RAB L2 FFGD1803. Does anyone have a diagram you can send me? I am truly thinking there may beno drainplug and like my 9", I'm going to have to pump it out. Thanks for all your input. I figure if anyone will know it will be here at FTE. 
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From: Huntsville, AL
For anyone else with the trans/rear setup I have here is how it went. Neither the trans or rear have drain plugs. Purchase a hand pump at any decent automotive supplier. Pump out both tranny and rear. When refilling pump the fluid back into the units. Much easier than trying to pour it in. Just one note...there isn't too much room in the 9" rear for the pump hose. I had to buy a smaller hose to get it to the bottom of the rear. This did a pretty good job for as easy as it was, only left maybe 1/2 qt in the system according to my refilling.
AS for what fluids to use. The Ford dealer said to use 80w/90 hypoid in the trans and the rear.
AS for what fluids to use. The Ford dealer said to use 80w/90 hypoid in the trans and the rear.
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