Axle differential fluid

[rod2004]

I am thinking about pumping out the rear axle fluid without taking the cover off.

anybody just pump out the old fluid thru the filler plug and pump back in new fluid?

[amigo-2k]

That is all my dealer does. That is, suck out the old and pump in the new.

[rod2004]

reason I asked cuz I don't think I need to go thru all the trouble to change the gasket and all. And, it makes sense just to suck the fluid out and pump back in new fluid.

Much less pain and not much advantage of taking cover off and replace gasket.

[Gizmo42]

I've always pulled the cover (granted I've had to the last 3 times over the past month due to destroying my cover). Pulling it allows you to check the condition of the gears and and spray everything down with brake cleaner to get out anything not suspended in the fluid. Its pretty simple to do and can be done quickly after a couple times. I just use permatex ultra blue to re-seal it. Its sealed with rtv from the factory, no gasket.

[rod2004]

yeah I guess I'll just pump the fluid out and in.

It shouldn't be too dirty anyway.

only 32k

[Andie_J]

I agree with Gizmo, taking the cover off to drain it is the only way you can really tell whats going on. When the transfer case went on mine the chuncks of metal were too big to drain out and the dealer said it was fine. Id look but im nosy. Andie

[rod2004]

so if you gona take off the diff housing then you have to lower the spare tire and move the swaying bar right?

The bar is right in front of the housing.

[Andie_J]

I take the spare off, then the upper nut off the lateral bar, and swing it down out of the way then just remove the screws on the cover. Andie

[rod2004]

ok lateral bar ...

and then gasket or permatex?

also, they are selling 1qt bottle with a long tip so you can pump the fluid in thru the filler plug.

would that work or you really need a siphon pump to pump fluid back in?

[Gizmo42]

I've done it with the spare in place and without it there. Easier with it removed though. The latteral bar I pull the nut on the axle side and just pull it back, dont usually remove it. But that normally works better with the spare moved.

Pump is the best way to do it, much quicker and cleaner. Squeezin that stuff out of the bottle takes a while (did it on the trail a couple times with a peice of tubing stuck on the bottle, what a pain).

I tried just a paper gasket and it leaked. Not bad but still leaked. Now I just use ultra blue permatex, not a hint of leak with it.

[Andie_J]

Thats odd, on mine its super easy to squirt the oil in right out of the qt. bottle, the little spout goes all the way in and the bottle can go to about a 45 degree angle. Andie

[rod2004]

maybe cuz you got an 04 rodeo like mine.

anyway thank you both for your tips.

This is my little project this weekend.

so, permatex is the way to go instead of a real gasket.
move lateral bar by loosening upper bolt ( I didnt notice that but I'll look for it, all I saw was a huge bolt attached to it )

we'll see what happens.

[rod2004]

oh and the Supertech diff fluid is great right?

[Gizmo42]

I used Valvoline SynPower in mine the first time I did it. Now I have Royal Purple in both. Costs about the same or a bit less depending on where you get it. Neither needs extra addatives for limited slip. I have no complaints about either. Dont know about supertech.

[rod2004]

it says on bottle "no additives needed" because it's equivalent.

I come to trust supertech because I've been using their oils for my engine and transmision.