How often do you change your rear diff. fluid?

I have an 03 Edge ext cab, 3.0, 4x2, no towing, light hauling,56k.

Thanks in advance.

 

I would do it when you get a chance. Its not an expensive job, so why not.

 

My rule of thumb is to have it changed everytime I flush the transmission fluid which for me is every 30,000 miles. If not that then at least every 50K.

 

ya know ive never changed mine and never had the rear services in eight years and 151K on the truck.. not saying its the right thing to do but never thought to do it

 

I change both diffs, transfer case, and tranny every 30,000 miles

 

Thanks for the replies folks!

I am getting ready to service the tranny so I'll go ahead and do the rear diff. while I'm at it.

 

In my 99 Scheduled Maintenance Guide, it says, in the Normal Schedule Exceptions section, that rear axles containing synthetic lube & light duty trucks equipped with Ford dsigned axles, are lubed for life!!!!!

It also goes on to say that any differential sumerged in water, must have the lubricant changed.

It also says, that if the rear axle lube is replaced with non synthetic, then it's to be changed every 3000 miles or 3 months, if extended towing, or extended WOT periods above 45 mph occur regularly.

So if the differential is factory filled, or it has been serviced & filled with 75W-140 synthetic gear lube, meeting Fords WSL-M2C192-A spec & 4oz of friction modifier meeting C8AZ-19B56-A (EST-M2C118-A) for Traction-Loc axles has been added, it's lubed for life.

If it's been serviced & filled with dino lube & we tow, or hill climb often at WOT above 45 mph, then it's 3000 mile/3month change time.

It's time to change anytime the axle has been sumerged in water, or seal leaks occur, or any axle repair has been done.

If 75W-140 synthetic gear lube is used, &
If we have a Traction-Loc differential, we need to remember to add 4oz of the above friction modifier.

Seems to me, if we haul, tow, or run in the mountains often, 100K mile rear axle lube change would be often enough. Certainly sooner isn't likely hurt anything but our wallet!!!! lol

Just some scheduled maintenance thoughts to ponder.

 

I say at 50k as well, unless you wheel it hard as I do. When you change it, would be a great time to switch to synthetics, I run mobil 1 in the engine and royal purple in the tranny, t-case and rear diff. It reduces heat and friction, prolongs parts and helped me with my mpg. For best results, change all the fluids to synthetic, not just the engine. Thats where a lot of people mess up, they only put synthetic in the engine and wonder why they get no better mpg. I went from 18/22 to 22/25 by switching to synthetics and a bama programer.

 

This thread has peaked my interest and now I want to change the fluid in my rear differential. Can anyone point to a good how-to for this task. I checked the tech info section but did not see anything. Is there drain and fill plugs or do I have to remove the cover plate.

Thanks, Pat

 

You will have to remove the cover. Here is a "how to" for replacing the factory cover with an aftermarket one, but you get the idea. The author also skips the fact that you should ad 4oz of friction modifier if you have limited-slip rear end.

http://ranger-forums.com/forum2/show...4&page=1&pp=25

 

Another way to do it is to use a small suction pump to suck the fluid out through the fill hole. This avoids having to pull the whole cover. The plastic pump kits can be found pretty inexpensive at most parts stores.

 

Thanks all. I like the idea to remove the cover and really give it a good cleaning.....it seems rather straightforward. But I have the pump I used to fill the M5OD and transfer case which I assume would work and I assume I can get nearly all the old out. If I remove the cover, is it suggested to use some kind of cleaner or spray solvent to remover old oil.

 

i dunno if it aint been submerged id say lubed for life is good enough for me if it aint broke no need to fix it.. particularly when i make my living repairing what other husbands have fixed lol