How to check rear differential?

[Jhover]

I can't seem to figure out how to open the plug on the rear diff. There is a hole in the crossmember but I have a unused exhaust hanger blocking it. Help plz

[bpd1151]

You'll have to reach up there from the side, or on an angle.

 

Incredibly, there is no stink'n drain plug.

 

If you want to change out your rear diff fluid, you'll literally have to suck it out from the fill plug located at the top of the housing.

 

I recently just performed this with the assistance of my mechanic friend.

 

To say it was a P.I.T.A. would be an understatement.

 

And yes, that stupid unused exhaust hangar doesn't help matters.

 

Good luck.

[83racecrew]

I looked at my '13 and was rightly upset with the configuration I found. The other way to drain it would be to remove the back cover completely, but then reinstallation looks like a real pain. Best access would be obtained by removing the rear end

[tss]

I hate to even ask....but how often should this be done....I will have to be paying somebody to do it when the time comes......

[bpd1151]

I've done it twice now since I bought mine.

 

I plan on doing it once a year, from here out, only cuz I track it periodically.

 

I'd rather pay for fluid, rather than a new rear.

 

 

 

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

[Crash712us]

I can't seem to figure out how to open the plug on the rear diff. There is a hole in the crossmember but I have a unused exhaust hanger blocking it. Help plz

 

This unused hanger must have been phased out at some point. At don't recall it being a issue. But there was enough room between frame for a ratchet with a hex key.

I suck mine out with a mighty mini vac and refilled with a hand plunger pump that screws on your oil bottle, works much like a soap dispenser.

You could always loosen all bolts and rear cover and drain that way also.

[racerx78]

The way the Ford techs do it is to take the fill hole and sucks it out, then refills it through there. I would typically do mine twice a year. Once before racing season and then after racing season. I had ford do the PTU & Rear Diff for around $150.

[Jhover]

I see how to do it now but I don't have a ratchet short and shallow enough to back the plug out without getting stuck on the exhaust bracket. I may end up taking the exhaust off and grinding the backet off.

[Crash712us]

I see how to do it now but I don't have a ratchet short and shallow enough to back the plug out without getting stuck on the exhaust bracket. I may end up taking the exhaust off and grinding the backet off.

 

Ok I see, I think I may have broke lose with ratchet and then used channel lock on the hex bit to take out.