changing front differential fluid in 2005 sport trac?

[ForOffRoadDriving]

i used the search function as well as searched google and yahoo, but still havent found an answer on this question. my girl friend has an 05 explorer sport trac and this past weeked i did a full fluid change on the engine oil, transfer case, transmission (new filter also), and rear differential. i got fluid for the front diff as well, but when i got underneath of it to change itl i couldnt figure out how you are supposed to drain the thing. theres barely enough room to get the cover loose to drain it, let alone scrape the silicone and gasket off and then apply silicone to it and get it to seal back up. is there a way to do it without removing the front D shaft and then removing the hub bearings and cv shafts so that the axle housing can be removed and a thorough job can be done? i know i could use a suction gun to get the majority of it out, but that doesnt seem like the right way to do it so im asking for help from other who have done this.

 

[camodown]

suction or you have to drop the axle

 

[adsm08]

suction or you have to drop the axle

Yup, its suction of drop it. Those are your options.

 

[88_Eddie]

i thought some fords had lifetime differential fluid in them. i'm pretty that's what it said about the 8.8 in my explorer. of course, if you take your rig off-road i'd change it reguarly.

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, I think some do. Not to mention that diff fluid will last pretty long anyway if the diff doesn't grenade.

I just replaced the original fluid in my 7.5 a few months ago, it had about 186K on it. Looked good, the fluid and the diff.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Drop the diff or drill and tap a drain plug in the bottom of the aluminum housing.

I did the second option.

 

[Kona]

i thought some fords had lifetime differential fluid in them. i'm pretty that's what it said about the 8.8 in my explorer. of course, if you take your rig off-road i'd change it reguarly.

Mostly it is only the rear that has 75W140 synthetic gear lube...the front is (check your owners manual) still good old 80W90 dino oil 160,000 kilometer interval.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

i read in the manual that the 8.8 with track lock takes 75w140 and is good for the lifetime of the truck, but i changed it anyways because there is no such thing as a lifetime lubricant (the stuff was already cloudy and black and took quite a bit of brake cleaner to get the film off from everything), especially when i regularly tow my boat, go two tracking, and still manage to get 200k+ miles out of my trucks.
thanks for all the responses guys, it looks like ill be dropping the axle and drilling my own drain hole. all of my drivetrain components get flushed every 50,000 miles regardless of the maunfacturers recommended intervals. so what are the steps in removing this axle (im more familiar with the TTB suspensions than the IFS)? do i need to remove the brakes, hub bearings, cv shafts, drive shaft, and then axle housing.........or can i just remove the drive shaft and then the axle housing bolts that secure it to the frame and pull it back towards the tcase to gain enough clearance to remove the cover? also where is the best spot to put the drain plug, through the bottome side of the aluminum housing or in the bottom of the front cover?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

The bottom of the aluminum housing is the best spot.

Take off the brake calipers and brackets, undo the lower balljoints remove the stud from the knuckles, swing the knuckles out and use a pry bar to pop the CV's out of the diff (held in with little snap clips). Remove the front drive shaft, then you will have 3 bolts holding the diff housing to the truck.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

thanks alot sasquatch_ryda, i figured id have to go all the way, as in no short cuts, but thats ok ill just set aside a full day for garage time and get this sucker knocked out.