rear end?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: no
rear end?
the rearend seal on my 79 bronco was dripping a little bit of fluid. i havent noticed it in a while though. i was wondering how i could go about checking the amount of fluid in it to see if it is ok. also, is the transmission the only part of the truck that holds transmission fluid? what i am asking is, doesn't the 4wd differential hold tranny fluid or is it oil. also, how would i check to see if that the differential is at the right fluid level?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
With most rear ends and T-cases, you just fill them til the fluid reaches the rim of the fill hole and won't hold any more. If you are fairly certain of the condition and age of the oil, you can just top them off. If you have never seen the oil in either, I recommend a drain and fill.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
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From: Bend,OR
I suggest removeing the rear diff cover to drain the fluid and inspect the gears and such. I did this and found the gear oil was more like sludge and my spider gears were shot. get a new gasket and if there is a Limited slip in there you will need the special lube additive when you fill it up with gear oil.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: USA
answers
Ok you have a couple of questions going there
1) To check the rear diff fluid, have the truck parked on level ground, chock/block the wheels. Remove the fill plug and dip you finger in, you should immediately touch fluid, meaning that the fluid should be up to the bottom of the fill plug. The same goes for your Transfer Case.
2) If the Transmission is a Manual then yes it is the only part of the truck that holds the fluid. If the Tranny is an Automatic, then you have 2 tranny lines going to your Radiator. The radiator cools the tranny fluid. You may have an additional tranny cooler as well.
3) When referring to the 4wd differential that holds tranny fluid, I am guessing you are talking about your Transfer case. If it is a NP-208 it would take tranny fluid, I am pretty sure that the NP-203 and the NP-205's use rear-end gear oil.
Another thing is this, since you have a 1979 Bronco there is a real good chance you have the stock rear-end. If you do then your rear end is a 9" and you CANNOT remove the rear diff cover, well simply because there isn't one. To change the fluid / inspect the gears you will actually have to remove the 9" pumpkin / chuck. I would recommend getting new bronze washers when you replace it as well. You will most likely damage the ones that are on there now.
1) To check the rear diff fluid, have the truck parked on level ground, chock/block the wheels. Remove the fill plug and dip you finger in, you should immediately touch fluid, meaning that the fluid should be up to the bottom of the fill plug. The same goes for your Transfer Case.
2) If the Transmission is a Manual then yes it is the only part of the truck that holds the fluid. If the Tranny is an Automatic, then you have 2 tranny lines going to your Radiator. The radiator cools the tranny fluid. You may have an additional tranny cooler as well.
3) When referring to the 4wd differential that holds tranny fluid, I am guessing you are talking about your Transfer case. If it is a NP-208 it would take tranny fluid, I am pretty sure that the NP-203 and the NP-205's use rear-end gear oil.
Another thing is this, since you have a 1979 Bronco there is a real good chance you have the stock rear-end. If you do then your rear end is a 9" and you CANNOT remove the rear diff cover, well simply because there isn't one. To change the fluid / inspect the gears you will actually have to remove the 9" pumpkin / chuck. I would recommend getting new bronze washers when you replace it as well. You will most likely damage the ones that are on there now.
