Rear Differential Fluid Change
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 225
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From: Middle Geogia
Rear Differential Fluid Change
I have read a few of the posts and now I think I want to change my rear differntial fluid earlier than my normal 100k.
My question is when you folks changed the fluid did you remove the rear cover and install a new gasket?
Short of pumping out the old oil, I don't know of any other way to change it.
My question is when you folks changed the fluid did you remove the rear cover and install a new gasket?
Short of pumping out the old oil, I don't know of any other way to change it.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 86
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From: Anaheim USA
Rear differential fluid
You guessed it. Remove the cover, clean the mating surface of the cover and the differential. After the oil has drained check for any debris. Install cover with gasket or RTV and torque to specs then add fluid.
You might want to consider an aftermarket cover. I have a Mag Hi-Tec and I really like it. It has a drain plug and a dip stick, it looks great and it seals with an "O" ring.
You might want to consider an aftermarket cover. I have a Mag Hi-Tec and I really like it. It has a drain plug and a dip stick, it looks great and it seals with an "O" ring.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
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I don't think there is a gasket available for the rear diff. There may be an aftermarket product available but I don't think Ford has one.
That is the main reason why I've delayed doing my diff's. I've never used gasket gunk before and I'm afraid I'll get a leaker.
That is the main reason why I've delayed doing my diff's. I've never used gasket gunk before and I'm afraid I'll get a leaker.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
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From: Lyndonville, Vermont
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
Originally posted by Urban_Prisoner
I don't think there is a gasket available for the rear diff. There may be an aftermarket product available but I don't think Ford has one.
That is the main reason why I've delayed doing my diff's. I've never used gasket gunk before and I'm afraid I'll get a leaker.
I don't think there is a gasket available for the rear diff. There may be an aftermarket product available but I don't think Ford has one.
That is the main reason why I've delayed doing my diff's. I've never used gasket gunk before and I'm afraid I'll get a leaker.
If you use just gunk, cleanliness is #1 and a nice thin bead is #2 and following directions is critical.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 359
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From: Maryland
other quality rear diff. covers?
I know the MAC hi-tec is a quality cover, but does anyone know of other hi quality covers that are stainless or aluminum. I am looking for one that is more noticeable (chrome) than the MAC.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
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From: Washington State
Re: DIFF oil
Originally posted by hjestebo
What kind of oil should I use in the diff on a 1991 F-supper duty
What kind of oil should I use in the diff on a 1991 F-supper duty
But you have a "supper duty" so it may say something on either the bottom of the plate or the fork.
Tee-hee-hee...welcome to FTE!
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Ventura County, CA
HDMust250,
I used Royal Purple rear gear oil ($8/qt @ Jeg's X 4 qts + handling = ~$40) fully synthetic; no friction additive necessary. The tranny shop that flushed my (automatic) tranny fluid and changed the rear gear oil for me used the "squeeze out of a tube" style gasket for the rear end. Works fine; ZERO leaks, and that was almost 5,000 miles ago!
One tip though: wait until it's warmer to change the rear gear oil. The stuff is SO thick (even my 5w-140) that it took a good effort from the tranny shop guy (a younger, pretty stout guy) just to squeeze the stuff out of the bottle and into the rear diff. He also had to make-shift a tube (rubber fuel line) to feed the oil from the bottle to the diff'l opening/filler hole... and that was a bit inconvenient even with the truck up on the lift.
My 2002 has a metal tab on one of the rear diff cover bolts that tells you what weight synthetic oil to use; maybe yours does too.
Technically, you never "need" to change the OE synthetic diff'l oil, but many FTE'rs "want" to for the sake of preventive maintenance and as a way to keep our trucks in tip-top shape mechanically.
I used Royal Purple rear gear oil ($8/qt @ Jeg's X 4 qts + handling = ~$40) fully synthetic; no friction additive necessary. The tranny shop that flushed my (automatic) tranny fluid and changed the rear gear oil for me used the "squeeze out of a tube" style gasket for the rear end. Works fine; ZERO leaks, and that was almost 5,000 miles ago!
One tip though: wait until it's warmer to change the rear gear oil. The stuff is SO thick (even my 5w-140) that it took a good effort from the tranny shop guy (a younger, pretty stout guy) just to squeeze the stuff out of the bottle and into the rear diff. He also had to make-shift a tube (rubber fuel line) to feed the oil from the bottle to the diff'l opening/filler hole... and that was a bit inconvenient even with the truck up on the lift.
My 2002 has a metal tab on one of the rear diff cover bolts that tells you what weight synthetic oil to use; maybe yours does too.
Technically, you never "need" to change the OE synthetic diff'l oil, but many FTE'rs "want" to for the sake of preventive maintenance and as a way to keep our trucks in tip-top shape mechanically.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 582
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From: Kelowna B.C.
I use permatex's "THE RIGHT STUFF" to seal cover plates. It's about $20.- for 1/2 a caulking tube and works great. It cost 3 times as much as other stuff I've tried but its never failed me. No matter what you use make sure you prep the two surfaces properly and the product is intended to be used for your application!
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,742
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From: OK
Be sure to remove the fill plug BEFORE you pop that cover off. It'd sure suck to have an empty diff and not be able to refill it because you can't get the fill plug out. I've seen a few people state they have had just that problem.