03 Expedition Front Differential

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Jun 19, 2008 | 10:16 AM

alwaysfords41

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03 Expedition Front Differential

Is the fluid change in the front diff any tougher than the rear?

Jun 19, 2008 | 11:18 PM

sbclemens

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No. On mine there's both a drain and fill plug. Make sure you can remove the fill plug before you drain it.

Jun 20, 2008 | 07:37 AM

alwaysfords41

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Sage advice. I got the fluid yesterday and will probably get to it over the weekend.

Jun 21, 2008 | 05:36 PM

broncoholic

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From: Melbourne, FL

I don't recall seeing a drain plug on the front diff of my '03 last time I was under it. Let us know if you do have one.

Jun 21, 2008 | 07:11 PM

sbclemens

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Front lower right on the 98. Maybe this fits in with the plug/no plug on the transmissions depending on what month your Expy was made.

Jun 23, 2008 | 07:35 AM

alwaysfords41

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Didn't get to it, the toddler had other ideas for how to spend the afternoon instead of napping. I am caught up on Elmo and Mickey mouse videos however.

Jul 1, 2008 | 12:24 PM

alwaysfords41

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There is not a drain, and the gasket is from a tube. Any favorites for gasket products?

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Aug 4, 2008 | 08:08 AM

alwaysfords41

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Finally got to this over the weekend. I took all the bolts at once, there was enough room for my catch pan. It took a little while to break the old seal free, I wound up using box cutter blades and hammering them in along the lower perimeter. After a few blades it popped free. There is one plastic guard in the way of taking the cover off clean, but it flexes out of the way easily. I did use the Ultra Black. Great product - nasty if you get it places you don't want it, but a really nice seal. I used a bead along the inner edge, around the bolt holes and along the outer edge. It appears to be the same pattern they used at the factory. I used the Permatex suggestion for tightening the bolts - hand tight for an hour, then a quarter turn more (I wrench tightened though). Floor is dry and clean so far.