Drain the pumpkin

Gonna drain and fill the pumpkin today. Any problems or issues with getting the cover off without removing the sway bar? I should be able to do this without removing the sway bar right?

Thanks!

Is the gasket leaking? If not... it would be easier to use a pump in the fill hole.

To answer your question...the sway bar shouldn't be a problem.

Pump in the fill hole would be a lot better.

I got a dumb question........What is "the pumpkin"? is that what you call your truck or is it actually something slang for something else?

I got a dumb question........What is "the pumpkin"? is that what you call your truck or is it actually something slang for something else?

I hadn't heard the term either, but based on the description, it is the rear axle case. They don't put a drain bolt in it, just a fill bolt, so to drain it you either pump it out or pull the cover and replace the gasket.

oh ok so I take it the part most likely looks like a pumpkin. Well when my truck needs attention there I think I will opt to go to a shop. draining thigns with drain bolts is so much easier.

I hadn't heard the term either, but based on the description, it is the rear axle case. They don't put a drain bolt in it, just a fill bolt, so to drain it you either pump it out or pull the cover and replace the gasket.

Yeah, we're talking about the rear differential.

If you have a 4wd drive you are better off buying a pump, because that is the only way to change the fluid in the front diff., it doesn't have a drain plug or removable plate.

Yea, a hand pump is really cheap.

I ghettoed mine together using aquarium tubing and a turkey baster. Takes a bit more time, but you will get it dry. Fish the tubing around and just keep sucking up the oil until you can't get any more...then refill. The same baster works for refilling too. ;)

I ghettoed mine together using aquarium tubing and a turkey baster. Takes a bit more time, but you will get it dry. Fish the tubing around and just keep sucking up the oil until you can't get any more...then refill. The same baster works for refilling too. ;)

I bet your wife loved that. I hope you told her before Thanksgiving.:lol2:

I bet your wife loved that. I hope you told her before Thanksgiving.:lol2:

Nope, not a problem there. See, I am single....

And now you know one of the reasons why. Anything left idle in the kitchen is a potential tool. ;)

Hey, whatever works. Potential tools are only limited by your imagination.

Just an update: I got to this job over the weekend and wasn't bad at all:

Removed the rear axle housing cover and gasket -- have a drain pan handy, it all runs out. The cover slid right out between the sway bar so that wasn't an issue at all.

Cleaned the gasket surfaces real good and re-installed the cover.

Refilled with Valvoline 75W-90 Synthetic.

I am interested in changing both front and rear differential fluids as well, but what kind of pump are you talking about.? Is there something commerically available specific for this task...

Help is appreciated !

thanks

Tony

I didn't use a pump to refill the rear. I had to get the right angle with the quart of gear oil so that by squeezing the bottle, it would eventually empty out into the rear axle housing.

It took 1.75 qts, the fluid was just below the fill hole when I was done.

I plan on doing the front diff soon, and I have a feeling that it may require one of those pumps you can screw right on the bottle of oil.

I have seen two different types of pumps for draining engine oil. One was a 12 volt electric pump where you needed to use your own bucket. Another type was a vacuum cylinder with a plunger. In both cases a small tube is inserted in the dip stick tube to suck out the used oil. I think these are the types of pump they are talking about.

Just an update: I got to this job over the weekend and wasn't bad at all:

Removed the rear axle housing cover and gasket -- have a drain pan handy, it all runs out. The cover slid right out between the sway bar so that wasn't an issue at all.

Cleaned the gasket surfaces real good and re-installed the cover.

Refilled with Valvoline 75W-90 Synthetic.

Good job!

You can buy a hand pump at any parts store, just tell the guy what you want it for and they should be able to take you to them. I got mine at Advance Auto for $10. AutoZone has the same pump for $12.

what are peoples thoughts on tapping and plugging it so you have a drain plug? It would make servicing the a lot easier than a pump.

With differential fluid being drained only every 50,000 miles for the rear, I don't really think it is completely necessary.

Neither do I, you'll probably create more trouble than you're trying to fix by drilling into the pumpkin and trying to tap (thread) the hole. Buy the hand pump!

well my front has been tapped b/c I offroad and tend to get water in it. The shop couldn't get their pump to fit into the front so they tapped it for easier drainage when problems arise.

I am interested in changing both front and rear differential fluids as well, but what kind of pump are you talking about.? Is there something commerically available specific for this task...

Help is appreciated !

thanks

Tony

If you haven't already purchased what you need, I found a "fluid transfer pump" at Sears. I tried one from O'Reilly Auto Parts (basically a bulb-type siphon), and it was a piece of junk. The one I found at Sears looks like a small tire pump, but it's made for fluids. Works great. Not a Sears or Craftsman product...found it in their automotive tools section. Cost about $10-$15 US. Used it on the front axle...it was easy.

If you haven't already purchased what you need, I found a "fluid transfer pump" at Sears. I tried one from O'Reilly Auto Parts (basically a bulb-type siphon), and it was a piece of junk. The one I found at Sears looks like a small tire pump, but it's made for fluids. Works great. Not a Sears or Craftsman product...found it in their automotive tools section. Cost about $10-$15 US. Used it on the front axle...it was easy.

sounds like the one I got at Advance Auto for $10. AutoZone has them for $12. They are the plunger style, looks like a small bike tire pump. I use mine without many problems, but I'm sure there is something better.

How much fluid is needed to fill the pumpkin? Is there a fill line or something or do you just fill it up until it overflows? Never done this

You just fill it to the bottom of the fill hole.

Yip, fill it until it starts to come out the fill hole. Then wait a second until the fluid fills all the voids and the impressions in the diff and then top it off.

Also, best to use synthetic if you are doing it anyways.

If you are in an area that is cold right now, take the new oil in the house and let it warm up a while before you put it in. It will go in alot easier and will fill the voids faster, so you can be sure you have actually filled it all the way.

If you are in an area that is cold right now, take the new oil in the house and let it warm up a while before you put it in. It will go in alot easier and will fill the voids faster, so you can be sure you have actually filled it all the way.

That or have a bucket of realy hot water and have the gear oil sit in it and get really thin for easier pouring.

So is there any issues with jacking up the back end with both wheels off the ground and draining diff ? Does it have to be perfectly level to insure you get the right amount in ?

Would/do you jack the entire vehicle up on 4-jack stands ?

Just wondering how you folks do it... ?

You don't have to jack up anything to get to the rear diff.

Get under there and change it.

You don't have to jack up anything to get to the rear diff.

Get under there and change it.

OK......then

Did you pull the cover off when you changed your''s or did you pump out fluid through the fill hole ?

Just curious

I had mine changed at the lube shop.

I would pump it out rather than removing the cover though.

Question: If you don't take the cover off, you won't really be able to inspect it well and get any metal buildup off from the magnet right?

Check out this site about changing the rear fluid... http://www.stu-offroad.com/misc/diff-1.htm

Check out this site about changing the rear fluid... http://www.stu-offroad.com/misc/diff-1.htm


Perfect...exactly what I was looking for..plus this gives you an chance to peek inside to see exactly what's going on. Just another level of comfort to view for any broken teeth etc....

Thanks

Oh trust me, you would know if you had broken teeth.