Front Differential

[Josh B]

Dang, I just looked up differential oil and they want 26-28 bucks a qt for most of it, I did see one that about 10-12.

I think mine needs changed
Seems to be water in it.
Are there any places in it that can be fixed to keep water out?
I haven't had it in deep water, although I have driven in some heavy rains

 

[Blmpkn]

Where TF are you buying gear oil where it's that much a QT? The napa crap is like... 6$


Unless you've had it in water up to the seals I'd say it's probably just dirty.. perhaps some condensation has built up in it or something but yeah.. the only way a meaningful amount of water ingress could happen is submerging it in water when it's nice and hot.. itll quickly cool down and pull water into itself past the seals. I change the fluid in my wheeler diffs every 250ish miles for that reason.. they're always submerged.

 

[Josh B]

The first page I saw they were all 25 up in their first row of photos, after another search or two I began getting more down to earth prices. I have a qt or 2 in back, I thought maybe I was rich

When I stick my finger in there it feels wet and hardly any sticks to my finger

Will that stuff siphon out if I just stick a hose in there? I have a clear hose

 

[Curious Hound]

Make sure the breather vent hose is installed. I don't remember where the high end if the front one mounts. But if it's gone, water can get in easier through the vent.

 

[Josh B]

Awesome Eric, I will find it, thanks man.
That light stuff looks and feel like water to me. I'll also be hoping to get as much of that fluid out as I can and refill it

 

[Uncle Gump]

I have the older version of this...

It's not a perfect fit for every application... but I've put a bunch of miles on mine.

 

[DRanger024]

The driver side inner axle shaft seal may also be the culprit. Mine unknowingly failed on my D35 and I filled the diff with sandy water. Have to pull the 3rd member for that repair but its an easy one to do if you are capable of pulling the shafts.

 

[Josh B]

I should consider that also DRanger, I haven't known of it before but I should check in to it.
I have been under there with the front axle raised and turned the shaft from the transfer case to the front differential and watched it push the front drive shafts out to engage the hubs.
I suppose that seal is on the drivers side shaft?

 

[scotts90ranger]

Water makes it milky not dark and oil colored, all you need is regular gear oil for a D35...

The vent hose on a D35 should be the question mark if memory serves... I ran a 6' piece of nylon hose to the beam pivot then up by the battery on mine...

 

[Josh B]

I have one qt of wmart full synthetic 75/90 so I need another one of those to change the oil in it, if that's the right oil

 

[mikkelstuff]

If wanting to flush out that old differential gunk, I have drained the differential, refilled with cheap automatic transmission fluid, driven only a few miles, and then drained before refilling with synthetic differential lube. The thinner transmission fluid dissolves that heavier gunk.

 

[pjtoledo]

I have the older version of this...

View attachment 100132

It's not a perfect fit for every application... but I've put a bunch of miles on mine.

@Uncle Gump I have a newer version of that

 

[Shran]

I have one qt of wmart full synthetic 75/90 so I need another one of those to change the oil in it, if that's the right oil

Any gear oil will work fine for a Ranger front axle. No need to get special synthetic or anything but if you have some already you might as well match that. I have a 5 gallon bucket of 80w90 GL5... that's what I use in axles most of the time.

 

[DRanger024]

I should consider that also DRanger, I haven't known of it before but I should check in to it.
I have been under there with the front axle raised and turned the shaft from the transfer case to the front differential and watched it push the front drive shafts out to engage the hubs.
I suppose that seal is on the drivers side shaft?

Yes it is

Water makes it milky not dark and oil colored, all you need is regular gear oil for a D35...

True but if he rarely locks the hubs, I would assume there would be plenty of time for the oil/water to separate.

The vent hose on a D35 should be the question mark if memory serves... I ran a 6' piece of nylon hose to the beam pivot then up by the battery on mine...

I did essentially the same with mine. Ran to brake master and zip tied to the cruise control cable in a Shepards hook shape.

 

[Josh B]

Yes it is

That's true but I'm getting the lighter clear watery stuff from the top! Water should sink in oil, if there's any real amount of oil in it