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differential service

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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 01:38 PM
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the weez's Avatar
the weez
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differential service

So my front differential started leaking and since I'm sure neither one has been serviced before, I've decided now's the time...but as usual, a few questions first

1)Seems like I just pull all the bolts and let it drain into a pan and pull off the old gasket
2) Do I need to clean out the insides with anything special or just wipe it out
3) I want to replace the fluid with a synthetic..any brand better than others?
4) Anything I've missed?
Thanks in advance for the info
 
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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 03:02 PM
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What year and model truck do you have? My 97 front differential has to have the gear lube sucked out, and I don't now how to. Might be different for yours.
 
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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 04:07 PM
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sorry...1997 F350 4x4
 
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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 04:19 PM
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weez your right just pull both covers off and drain. then scrap the silicon off clean with brake cleaner and resilicon and bolt cover back on and refill. our trucks call for 80W90 gear oil but i think you would be ok with a synthetic like royal purple or something like that. if you ahve a limited slip rear diff then add a LS additive unless you use royal purple it already has it in the oil.

jcab you probably have a 250 and its different on the front than a 350. an f-250 either have to suck it out of remove both axles and pull the drive shaft then remove the third member from the axle housing.
 
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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 06:56 PM
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Yep F250!

I would think it would be easier to suck it out, but what do I use to do the job. Any thoughts? A turkey bayster would take about 4 hours? Thanks Jcab





Originally Posted by tjbeggs
weez your right just pull both covers off and drain. then scrap the silicon off clean with brake cleaner and resilicon and bolt cover back on and refill. our trucks call for 80W90 gear oil but i think you would be ok with a synthetic like royal purple or something like that. if you ahve a limited slip rear diff then add a LS additive unless you use royal purple it already has it in the oil.

jcab you probably have a 250 and its different on the front than a 350. an f-250 either have to suck it out of remove both axles and pull the drive shaft then remove the third member from the axle housing.
 
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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 08:50 PM
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much easier to suck it out. i used a hand vacum pump like those sold for bleeding brakes. it still took about 20 minutes. i would recommend go for a good distance drive witht he hubs locked in that will heat the oil some to help.
 
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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 09:47 PM
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If you check with a marine supply store they sell several different types of vacuum pumps made just for sucking oil out of engines, etc. Some are electric and some are manual. Manual pump will run about $30-$40 bucks but it's a great tool to have around. I used mine to clean out the fuel filter housing a while back. Worked great...
 
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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 10:16 PM
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A shop vac with a garbage bag as a liner works very well.
 
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 12:22 AM
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Good Ideas!

I knew you guys would come up with the right way to get the job done, I'll give it a try, also have you done front wheel bearing maintenance on your 4wd? I have 106k on mine, and am leary of doing the job myself? Thanks for the replies. Jcab



Originally Posted by tjbeggs
much easier to suck it out. i used a hand vacum pump like those sold for bleeding brakes. it still took about 20 minutes. i would recommend go for a good distance drive witht he hubs locked in that will heat the oil some to help.
 
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 01:22 AM
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i've seen guys drill and tap a hole in the bottom of the diff housing for a drain plug. seems smart to me

-cutts-
 
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 06:30 PM
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Possible Cuttings In Differential?

SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA, BUT WHAT ABOUT CUTTINGS GETTING INTO THE DIFF. WHILE DRILLING? I PUT A DRAIN PLUG IN MY TRANNY PAN, TO SPEED UP CHANGING FLUID SERVICE. JCAB



Originally Posted by fishmanndotcom
i've seen guys drill and tap a hole in the bottom of the diff housing for a drain plug. seems smart to me

-cutts-
 
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