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  #1  
Old 10-11-2017, 05:00 PM
jim22 jim22 is offline
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Posts: 96
Default Rear diff fliud change

I'm planning to change the rear diff fluid on my '99 2WD, which is oozing fluid at the cover. I'm going to try to find some Permatex Gear Oil sealant, and Amsoil 75W90 synthetic gear lube. I have an open diff, not limited slip. Sound good? Any tips? I used blue RTV and 80W90 dino last time. I've been hearing rumors that Ford is now recommending a different weight? If so, can someone give me the TBS number?
Thanks,
Jim
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Old 10-13-2017, 01:46 PM
MaDMaXX MaDMaXX is offline
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Default Re: Rear diff fliud change

75w90 will work fine, doesn't matter if it's the Valvoline including the LS additive.

Nothing wrong with using RTV, but for $6 and far less effort, i just got the gasket from NAPA.
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Old 10-13-2017, 08:37 PM
jim22 jim22 is offline
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Default Re: Rear diff fliud change

Gasket might have been a good idea. I put the cover on this morning and am currently waiting until tomorrow to torque bolts and refill. Hating the 24 hour wait! I guess I will be happy if it doesn't leak... ever.
Jim
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Old 10-14-2017, 05:59 PM
jim22 jim22 is offline
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Default Re: Rear diff fliud change

Well, it's done. I am not sure it's going to hold up. I gave the Permatex more than 24 hours, but after I torqued the bolts, there was still some uncured product squeezing out of the joint. Maybe tomorrow I'll climb under there with some soapy water and clean it off good so I can tell if it's leaking. Maybe I got a hold of an old tube of the Permatex. If i have to redo it again, I'm going to try to find a gasket instead.
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Old 10-16-2017, 10:13 AM
MaDMaXX MaDMaXX is offline
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Default Re: Rear diff fliud change

Hopefully there wasn't uncured stuff squeezing out inside the diff, too!!

Gasket was no problem and in stock at NAPA for me.
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  #6  
Old 10-16-2017, 02:22 PM
jim22 jim22 is offline
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Default Re: Rear diff fliud change

Hope not! So far, it looks sealed. I rechecked the level, and it's basically up to the base of the fill plug, but took only 2 quarts. I'm declaring a temporary victory! Next time I will definitely look for a gasket.
Jim
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Old 10-23-2017, 09:10 PM
NewShockerGuy NewShockerGuy is offline
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Default Re: Rear diff fliud change

I've only ever used RTV silicon (dark gray permetex oil resistant stuff) and never had any issues with leaking rear diff fluid. I might get a gasket next time but honestly it's so easy with the rtv that an entire tube of that stuff is 7 bucks and can do 10+ times on the rear diff. Trick to it is not gob it on. Use a latex glove and spread it out on the rear diff cover and let it tack for about 30 minutes. Then put it on the rear diff and install the bolts. Too many people put a HUGE bead of RTV on the cover thinking that's needed when it's not at all. I'm doing my STi's oil pan tomorrow because I'm changing the oil pick up assembly and the torque specs for the bolts are something like 1ft lb. The bolts are pretty much there just to hold the pan in place until the sealant cures to hold the pan on. I follow this same logic with the rear diff cover on the truck.

-Nigel
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2001 Ranger XLT 2.3L Auto: Bunch of misc mods.
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Old 10-23-2017, 09:50 PM
MaDMaXX MaDMaXX is offline
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Default Re: Rear diff fliud change

Doesn't your STI have a drain plug, i could have sworn it does.
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  #9  
Old 10-27-2017, 10:34 PM
NewShockerGuy NewShockerGuy is offline
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Default Re: Rear diff fliud change

Yep my STi has a drain plug on both the rear diff and oil pan. Problem with the oil pan is that there is no gasket from the factory. They use a sealing agent called Fujibond which is like HondaBond or any type of sealant that doesn't need oxygen to cure. So once the oil pan is removed for the oil pickup assembly to be replaced you have to scrape off all the old bond on both the pan and bottom of engine. Then you use the Fujibond (sealant) and put it on the oil pan. Spread it out and then attach it back to the car. The bolts are simply there to hold the pan in place until the bond is fully cured which can take up to 24hrs. In theory you could take all the bolts off and the pan will still hold due to the bond..lol

I was super delayed and actually didn't get to start this last week. Now I get to do it in the morning which should be super fun trying to break the oil pan off the car... w00t w00t.

-Nigel
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2001 Ranger XLT 2.3L Auto: Bunch of misc mods.
Little lift: 4" Spindle Lift w/ 2" shackles and 2" oem blocks.OEM Ranger Sport Wheels: Tires=245x75x16

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  #10  
Old 11-05-2017, 05:23 PM
dvrich dvrich is offline
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Default Re: Rear diff fliud change

Quote:
Originally Posted by jim22 View Post
Hope not! So far, it looks sealed. I rechecked the level, and it's basically up to the base of the fill plug, but took only 2 quarts. I'm declaring a temporary victory! Next time I will definitely look for a gasket.
Jim
I have never used a gasket on a rear axle fluid change. Ford doesn't put gaskets on at the factory and using RTV is quite difficult to foul up......just don't torque the bolts too tight and you are good to go.
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