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changin the diff fluids

NEK5

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just want to get a general idea of the process as i`ve never done it before and plan on it tonight
 
Rear:
Put a drain pan under the axle. Unbolt the diff cover. Usually I like to leave the upper most bolt in a few threads(so the cover doesn't fall into the drain pan). Use a screw driver or something and pry the cover away from the housing. Let it drain. Check the magnet(if there is one, should be in the bottom of the diff or on the cover) for debris and metal. Clean off any shavings, if there are big chunks, well look for damage on the internals. Clean the mounting surface off. Install the gasket on the cover or silicone on the cover or housing. Black or Grey will work(either is oil resistant). Install the cover. Remove the fill plug. It is on the pinion area on the front side of the axle. Look for a little plug that has a 3/8" square drive. Stick in a 3/8" extension and use a ratchet to remove it. Fill through the hole.

Front:
Same as the rear just the fill hole is on the cover.

Sorry if this insults your intelligence with simplicity.
 
Remove fill plugs first. If they don't come out it will be very difficult to fill after you drain the diffs. Remove cover bolts. Remove cover. Light prying may be needed. Clean gasket surfaces on diff and cover. Reinstall covers with new gasket or sealer. Refill with your choice of gear oil to bottom of fill hole. Install fill plug. Cold beer may be needed between some (most) steps.
 
not to sound like a douche or anything but you should buy a haynes manual to help you out with alot of the basic maintnence on your truck.
 
simply unbolt the diff cover, let the fluid pour out.. then get in there w/ a rag and clean out the old gunk, then put a bunch of rvt sealant on the diff. cover, and bolt it back in.. open the lil drain plug and re-fill till new fluid pours out. there ya go.
 
should i get new gaskets or buy the liquid silicone stuff???and what gear oil should i get???
 
K5Greek91 said:
not to sound like a douche or anything but you should buy a haynes manual to help you out with alot of the basic maintnence on your truck.

well i do have one, its just under a whole bunch of crap in the shed and i am REALY lazy

didnt mean to make it seem like i wanted everyone to tell me everything, even the basics
 
Definitly need a Hayne's or Chilton's manual, they cover all this little stuff in depth.
 
BIGBLAZE433 said:
well i do have one, its just under a whole bunch of crap in the shed and i am REALY lazy

didnt mean to make it seem like i wanted everyone to tell me everything, even the basics

:D:D
 
BIGBLAZE433 said:
should i get new gaskets or buy the liquid silicone stuff???and what gear oil should i get???

Some use RTV, some a gasket. I use both - a thin coat of RTV and an OEM gasket. Most probably just use RTV.
 
Go buy some brake cleaner(once can per diff). Once you've got the cover off and all the fluid drained out, use the entire can rinsing everything down inside the diff. After you're done, scoop out all the gunk that will have accumulated on the bottom and leave the cover off for at least a half an hour so that any left over brake cleaner has a chance to evaporate. When you're sure that everything is dry, button it back up and refill it as per everyone's directions.
 
CanmoreK5 said:
Go buy some brake cleaner(once can per diff). Once you've got the cover off and all the fluid drained out, use the entire can rinsing everything down inside the diff. After you're done, scoop out all the gunk that will have accumulated on the bottom and leave the cover off for at least a half an hour so that any left over brake cleaner has a chance to evaporate. When you're sure that everything is dry, button it back up and refill it as per everyone's directions.

X2 :D That's how I do it every single time. Brake cleaner is a life saver for cleaning up old oil and lubricants.

Rick
 

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