Changing the differential fluid
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 354
Likes: 5
From: Katy, Republic of Texas
Not really, unless the front end was at a 70° angle or something. The area where the extra fluid is pooled is deep, and a rag and your hand can clean it out easily.
Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Thanks Steve & everyone. You are always very helpful people!
I successfully finished it yesterday. But WHAT A PITA REFILLING IT WAS!! I used the attaching a hose to the bottle method & made quite a mess with spilled oil down my arms & on the driveway cause the hose wouldn't stay on the bottle. Someone had mentioned removing the ABS sensor on top of the diff & putting the oil in there which would probably be much easier but I was concerned about dirt or rust falling in.
I only had Teflon tape to put on the plug. I hope that was ok.
I successfully finished it yesterday. But WHAT A PITA REFILLING IT WAS!! I used the attaching a hose to the bottle method & made quite a mess with spilled oil down my arms & on the driveway cause the hose wouldn't stay on the bottle. Someone had mentioned removing the ABS sensor on top of the diff & putting the oil in there which would probably be much easier but I was concerned about dirt or rust falling in.
I only had Teflon tape to put on the plug. I hope that was ok.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,013
Likes: 6
From: Cajun Country
My go to differential fluid used to be RED LINE. Since I have retired, my go to fluid is M1, Valvoline, or Super Tech.
Also, I have ALWAYS used a gasket with an ultra thin bit of RTV smeared onto both sides of the gasket. I have been known to use 3M yellow sealer in the past as well.
A couple of tips here;
1) If your differential calls for friction modifier, don't rely on a fluid that states the modifier is already in the fluid. Buy the required amount of modifier as well.
2) After doing the fluid and modifier install, go find an empty store parking lot. Do a series of figure 8's (about 8-10) to evenly disperse and mix the modifier with the fluid.
Also, I have ALWAYS used a gasket with an ultra thin bit of RTV smeared onto both sides of the gasket. I have been known to use 3M yellow sealer in the past as well.
A couple of tips here;
1) If your differential calls for friction modifier, don't rely on a fluid that states the modifier is already in the fluid. Buy the required amount of modifier as well.
2) After doing the fluid and modifier install, go find an empty store parking lot. Do a series of figure 8's (about 8-10) to evenly disperse and mix the modifier with the fluid.
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