OP
OP
Trash Panda
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #61
5/16/2026 UPDATE :
I ended up changing the rear differential fluid again at 75,000 miles. I placed an Amsoil order for my small engine oils/grease and decided to grab two more quart packs of their Severe Gear 80W-90 oil. I already had a spare drain and fill plug handy from the original job and write-up in 2023.
I have gotten some new toys since this original post and got to put them to good use!
Tools Used This Time :
3/8” Snap-On Long Handle Flex-Head Ratchet (FHLF80A)
3/8” Snap-On 4” Knurled Extension (FXK4)
3/8” Mac Tools Male Square Drain Plug Socket (XS124)
3/8” Icon Flex Head Torque Wrench (5-75 ft-lb)
I do think a 4” extension is the perfect size and I was pleasantly surprised at how nice (albeit niche) a drain plug socket is for this job.
I did stop by the Ford dealer earlier today and had my usual oil change and a transmission flush. While I was there I asked them to quote this job and they said $200…
Likely that is because some year models do not have a drain and fill plug and you have to drop the differential cover/gasket
The running joke with my wife is look how much money I “saved” that I can use on new tools…
(Not sure I would recommend that though)
This go around though the fluid was MUCH cleaner than the original job. I noticed the magnetic drain plug had about half of the gunk on it compared to the first time. Remember when you are filling the differential, oil will start to slowly stream out of the fill hole and that is how you know you put enough in there. You can use a bright flashlight like a Streamlight Micro to visually verify the fluid level is slightly below the fill plug threads.
I ended up changing the rear differential fluid again at 75,000 miles. I placed an Amsoil order for my small engine oils/grease and decided to grab two more quart packs of their Severe Gear 80W-90 oil. I already had a spare drain and fill plug handy from the original job and write-up in 2023.
I have gotten some new toys since this original post and got to put them to good use!
Tools Used This Time :
3/8” Snap-On Long Handle Flex-Head Ratchet (FHLF80A)
3/8” Snap-On 4” Knurled Extension (FXK4)
3/8” Mac Tools Male Square Drain Plug Socket (XS124)
3/8” Icon Flex Head Torque Wrench (5-75 ft-lb)
I do think a 4” extension is the perfect size and I was pleasantly surprised at how nice (albeit niche) a drain plug socket is for this job.
I did stop by the Ford dealer earlier today and had my usual oil change and a transmission flush. While I was there I asked them to quote this job and they said $200…
Likely that is because some year models do not have a drain and fill plug and you have to drop the differential cover/gasketThe running joke with my wife is look how much money I “saved” that I can use on new tools…
(Not sure I would recommend that though)This go around though the fluid was MUCH cleaner than the original job. I noticed the magnetic drain plug had about half of the gunk on it compared to the first time. Remember when you are filling the differential, oil will start to slowly stream out of the fill hole and that is how you know you put enough in there. You can use a bright flashlight like a Streamlight Micro to visually verify the fluid level is slightly below the fill plug threads.
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