differential question

[mossyoak03]

im about to change my front and rear differential fluid bc im coming up on 100,000 miles. what do you guys use to clean it out before puttin new fluid in? and also is there a gasket i need or does rtv do the job? thanks

 

[mjonesjr]

I always use some cheap diff fluid to clean it out. I also use micro-fiber towels to wipe the bottom of the diff out.

The rear has a gasket. I don't know about the front on yours (my TTB front doesn't have a gasket).

 

[Aragorn]

I have used brake parts cleaner and it works fine.
I use high temp rtv for the seal. Same stuff for valve covers and oil pans, etc.

 

[Hahnsb2]

You don't need gaskets, straight up RTV works fine.

 

[Shran]

x3 on brake cleaner and RTV.

 

[exbass94]

For the front diff, you can't really clean it out at all, unless you feel like disconnecting the axles and driveshaft and dropping the whole diff out of the truck. You just have to suck as much fluid out through the fill hole as possible and refill with fresh fluid.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

I always use some cheap diff fluid to clean it out. I also use micro-fiber towels to wipe the bottom of the diff out.

The rear has a gasket. I don't know about the front on yours (my TTB front doesn't have a gasket).

Never seen a ford rear end with a gasket, its got RTV on it from the factory.

As for cleaning it out, I usually just give it a good spray with some brake clean.

 

[mjonesjr]

Never seen a ford rear end with a gasket, its got RTV on it from the factory.

They may not put the gasket on there from the factory, but the gaskets on the rear sure do make it easier to clean off if you ever pull the diff cover again.

For the gaskets only costing $5 at your local auto parts store, I will put a gasket on mine.

 

[Shran]

I have not seen a gasket on an axle that's never been open, but you can buy gaskets for them. I got one from Checker for my old 7.5.

 

[4x4junkie]

Drive the truck at freeway speed for about 20 miles or so with the hubs locked (t-case in 2WD) before you suction the oil out of your front diff. This will get any crap inside there suspended in the oil to be sucked out with it. This is about as good as you'll be able to do without taking the whole thing apart like exbass mentions.

 

[mossyoak03]

thanks alot guys