Milky diff??
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Milky diff??
Ok, a few days ago I took the Bronco on a little outing and ended up getting it high centered when going through an unfamiliar water hole. Apperently something a lot bigger had been through because the ruts were about three feet deep. I knew better but decided to try it anyway since I had a buddy in another truck with me. He ended up pulling me out. At least his truck is another Ford, a 78 F150 4wd with a 400/c6. Anyway, this happened last week. Afterwards I went ahead and repacked all the bearings since the truck was stuck in water over the axles. All was well, I thought. Today I noticed what looks like milkshake coming from the tube on top of the rear axle on the drivers side. Question is, what is this tube?? I haven't opened the diff yet to change the fluid but I'll do that today. Do you guys think a fluid change is enough to save the gears? It's only been driven maybe ten miles since the water incident. Thanks for any advice.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 250
Likes: 11
I would say change the fluid, while you have the covers off get all the stuff out of the differential with some kind of cleaner. I would put some cheap oil in it and change it the next day to make sure you got all the water out of the differential. How hard did you drive it after you got out of the mud hole? Could have an effect on whether your gears are gonna be cooked.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 460
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From: Edmonton, Alberta
The tube on top of the rear axle is the breather. The end of that tube should be (stock) tucked up into the frame - many guys extend the tube up as high as they want to prevent it from sucking up water when what happened to you happens. I'd dropped the oil in the rear end, wash it out with a cleaner or kerosene or diesel, refill and then drive it like you are on a Sunday cruise for a couple miles so that everything in there gets mixed together then dump it again. If it is still white or creamy - repeat.
You also try pulling out the axles and jacking up one side at a time and washing out the tube on each side then cleaning everything lastly from the pumpkin. It's a good time to swap out axle seals, $8 each where I get them, too.
You also try pulling out the axles and jacking up one side at a time and washing out the tube on each side then cleaning everything lastly from the pumpkin. It's a good time to swap out axle seals, $8 each where I get them, too.
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I drained the diff today and it was horrible. Kinda looked like somebody poured a chocolate shake in it. I flushed it out with diesel as suggested and filled it ithe cheap gear oil. I drove it easily for a couple of miles then drained and flushed it again. I also flushed the axle tubes as best I could. Took it out for another couple of miles then filled it with synthetic gear oil. My plan is to drive it for a couple of days and then drain it one more time. So far I'm not hearing any strange noises and there's no vibration. And Bimmerboy1989, the truck wasn't driven hard since my little outing, probably about 10 miles or less, and only on side streets at probably no more than 50 mph or so. It hasn't been on the interstate or anything like that. So I'll keep my fingers crossed and the stereo off so I can hear any funny noises. Thanks for the tips guys. Tomorrow I'd better do the front one too, didn't even think about that one. Even if there's no water in it I don't know when or if it's ever been changed. Better safe than sorry!
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
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From: Bend,OR
if your rear diff is like that you better check the front as well. along with the tcase and tranny. does the rear end have a limited slip, if so make sure you put friction modifyer in there or the synthetic mentions this otherwise you will tear up that ls and cause major issues.
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OK guys, I changed every fluid I could today. Started at the front and worked my way back. I even flushed the brake fluid. The front diff had water in it also but wasn't as bad as the rear. I didn't see any water in the tranny or transfer case. Engine oil looked good also. So I feel a little better now. Thanks to everybody that responded with ideas. You guys rock!!
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