Differentials and Transfer Case Fluid Change

Msfitoy

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I did all mine today as well @ 1200 miles.

I agree the magnets were full.

IMG_20190504_141449.jpg

Rear Diff - that is chunks and fine particals soaked in oil standing upright on top of the magnet. Drained oil was pretty dirty and some shiny stuff.
IMG_20190504_160151.jpg

Front Diff - wasn't too bad. Oil was still pretty clean.
IMG_20190504_153121.jpg


I didn't take a picture of the transfer case, it wasn't terrible, but the fluid was pretty dirty.

Wasn't a terrible job other than no drain pan I have will stretch between engine oil and oil filter drip locations. Had to get a small pan for filter ramp drain. Now that I know, should be easy. Filter was simple, no tire turn, removed by hand, just took top, forward 3 plastic screws off, and flap out of the way.

I think the capacity on the rear diff is spot on.
Front Diff took less than 1 qt, manual calls for 1 qt and 1.76 oz. or 33.76 oz. Didn't fit.
Transfer case / PTU or whatever Ford calls it, took more than the 23.7 oz, but I couldn't tell how much more, I think about exactly a quart give or take an ounce. I felt fluid near fill plug before draining, so I don't think it's partial fill scenario - maybe.
Screenshot_20190504-224641.png
Which Redline oil go to which diff? Thanks!
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Jacob

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Pretty amazing how much metal floating around in the rear diffs.
I can’t believe ford recommends changing at 150,000 miles. Ridiculous
 

Msfitoy

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Jacob

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levimac`

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The manufacturer does not call for the diff change or the transfer case change for 100000 miles or so unless your use is heavy duty trailering and just general heavy duty use ,the Transmission is also high mile like 100 to 120000 or so as well , but as we are free Americans we can do as we wish with our beautiful and expensive machines.
Every time I look out the window I smile because of the natural beauty of the earth but also my great looking Ford Ranger and Ram pickum up trucks.

1028190843a.jpg
 
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outdoorphotog

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I think the manufacturers just want to show a "low cost of ownership" by having these long fluid change and maintenance intervals.

I feel a fluid change/upgrade is cheap insurance to know there is not tons of metal floating around in the diffs and t-case, so spending $60 to know there isn't metal floating everywhere makes me feel better at night.
 

P. A. Schilke

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I think the manufacturers just want to show a "low cost of ownership" by having these long fluid change and maintenance intervals.

I feel a fluid change/upgrade is cheap insurance to know there is not tons of metal floating around in the diffs and t-case, so spending $60 to know there isn't metal floating everywhere makes me feel better at night.
Hi ODP,

All Ford Truck Durability testing must be to the specified maintenance schedule, and the vehicles must complete the durability testing satisfactorily. Testing is to duplicate the useful life of 150,000 miles by a 90 percentile customer.... This means that if the fluid change is at 100,000 miles, this is when it was changed on the prototype trucks, not before.

Marketing was driving us to 7500 mile oil changes when the norm was 5000. We tried it on the Ranger 2.3L Lima motor....The wear was unsatisfactory and we stayed at 5000. Now with the new fluid technology and manufacturing methodology, extended range fluid changes are possible.

It certainly does not hurt to change earlier if you choose, but likely is unnecessary.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired
 

Sashimi_Moto

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My truck has 13k miles on it with the original fluid in the diffs. I changed them today with Motul 75w-90 (had a box of it). The front diff fluid was fine but the rear was not; black and silver. So I squirted a bunch in with drain plug off to try and flush out some of the blackness. I will probably change it again during my next oil change just for peace of mind.
 

DriverA

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Gotya. Thanks. One more question. The manuals say to throw away drain and fill plugs on the axles after replacing fluid. Is that right? Feel like you can reseal them no?


1D245398-B780-4852-92E9-88FC9563E8F3.png
Is it necessary to add any kind of friction modifier for the locking dif?
 

Jacob

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I didn’t, I think the Redline comes with it already, but I may be wrong
royal purple has it added in already. If you go the cheaper route then yes you need to add it in
 

Sashimi_Moto

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The locking diff would not need friction modifier. FM is needed for typical clutch-plate LSDs to reduce chatters in low speed usage and every day driving scenarios. We do not have a clutch plate LSD. When not locked, our diff is effectively open and FM contributes no functional benefit.
 

gbritt89

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My truck has 13k miles on it with the original fluid in the diffs. I changed them today with Motul 75w-90 (had a box of it). The front diff fluid was fine but the rear was not; black and silver. So I squirted a bunch in with drain plug off to try and flush out some of the blackness. I will probably change it again during my next oil change just for peace of mind.
+1 just did mine with 15,500 and it was FILTHY.. Counted a total of 4 decent sized metal shavings were stuck to the magnet once I wiped the magnet side of the plug clean. When the plug came off the combination of the shavings and metallic "dust" suspended in the gear oil was pretty impressive.
 

Jacob

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Pretty amazing how much metal floating around in the rear diffs.
Yeah It really is a break in period. I’m coming up on 15,000 now so I’ll be changing then again just to check them
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