Rear Differential “wet” look

[TICKLE ZOMBIE]

UPDATE: shop says it’s from the mechanic wiping away excess after the mess it caused from the cover removal but keep a periodic eye on it just in case.
2 weeks ago I had the rear differential changed. 2022 Ranger so no drain plug so I bought the gasket (Ford OEM) and had my trusted shop do it.
Noticed yesterday the bottom front of cover is “wet”. No fluid evidence on the ground either.
Crawled under and tried wiping it off but it’s bone dry as if they sprayed an under carriage rust inhibitor.
The rear of the cover looks normal.
Thoughts? I have sent an email into my shop to see if I should bring it in.

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[Glocker]

EDITED: DELETED I should read before I reply. LOL

 

[Jacob]

I didn’t know they removed the drain plug on the 2022. Damn glad my 19 has it.

 

[Frenchy]

I would clean it real well and drive it. After that you will get an idea on if you got a problem or not

 

[Mustang2Ranger]

clean it and check it in a few weeks

changed mine and still looks wet just from the residual, but no leak and is clean

 

[ccasanova22]

Not normal if after cleaning the diff it's still appearing to be leaking. I went thru this multiple times and then finally took my '22 in to the dealer, to have them repair the diff. No more leaks now.

 

[LawnMM]

You could probably clean it with a solvent, alcohol or brake cleaner or something to get it good and dry and clear and make it easier to monitor

 

[Racket]

I didn’t know they removed the drain plug on the 2022. Damn glad my 19 has it.

...factory deletes. Replacement transmission pans have a drain and only first year diff covers have it. It feels like Ford doesn't think the trucks will have a long life. ? If there was a truly superior diff cover I'd be all over that but Gayle Banks took a dump on pretty much all of them unless he comes out with one of his own designs that fit our trucks. $$$

 

[pbethel]

...factory deletes. Replacement transmission pans have a drain and only first year diff covers have it. It feels like Ford doesn't think the trucks will have a long life. ? If there was a truly superior diff cover I'd be all over that but Gayle Banks took a dump on pretty much all of them unless he comes out with one of his own designs that fit our trucks. $$$

Both AT's and differentials should have their pan/covers removed when changing fluid.
To change the AT filter and clean the crap out of both. Not having a drain plug kind of forces that to happen
Longevity really depends more on proper PM than drain plugs. And, like you, I can only make wild guesses about Fords expectations.

 

[Frenchy]

Both AT's and differentials should have their pan/covers removed when changing fluid.
To change the AT filter and clean the crap out of both. Not having a drain plug kind of forces that to happen
Longevity really depends more on proper PM than drain plugs. And, like you, I can only make wild guesses about Fords expectations.

Funny you say that. I have yet to see an axle with a filter, also there are manufacturers that don't use a filter, but instead a screen in the Automatic Transmissions. I don't have a complete lift of who all dies it, but I know Nissan is one of them. I found it to be interesting especially since Nissan states to change the transmission fluid(both AT and MT) every 30,000 miles

 

[pbethel]

Funny you say that. I have yet to see an axle with a filter, also there are manufacturers that don't use a filter, but instead a screen in the Automatic Transmissions. I don't have a complete lift of who all dies it, but I know Nissan is one of them. I found it to be interesting especially since Nissan states to change the transmission fluid(both AT and MT) every 30,000 miles

No manufacturer really cares if your vehicle dies a thousand miles out of warranty but they do care that a prospective buyer thinks that the cost of ownership is low.
You do you and do the manufacturers minimum to get the car through warranty and I will continue to do the PM that will get my vehicles to ten years or more.

 

[JasonTremor]

Funny you say that. I have yet to see an axle with a filter, also there are manufacturers that don't use a filter, but instead a screen in the Automatic Transmissions. I don't have a complete lift of who all dies it, but I know Nissan is one of them. I found it to be interesting especially since Nissan states to change the transmission fluid(both AT and MT) every 30,000 miles

That Nissan 30k interval would have saved a lot of people some trouble with their CVT transmissions.

 

[Frenchy]

That Nissan 30k interval would have saved a lot of people some trouble with their CVT transmissions.

As much as I would like to say you are correct on that I have replaced a CVT with less than 15,000 mi on it because it grenaded internally. That said Nissan still recommends the 30K service even on the CVT

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