question regarding rear axle differential...

[nh2123]

Hey, I have a 2004 4cyl. 2.3 Ranger. It is 4x2 and seems to be a standard base model. Also from the reseach I got from the dealer it does not have a locking rear. The reason I gave this info. is because I came into something that concerns me while changing the rear diff. fluid. Everything was going along fine until I began to refill the rear diff. through the fill plug with gear oil. My owners manual called for 2.4 to 2.5 liters which is equal to 2.54 to 2.64 quarts. I bought 3 quarts to be safe. I used a suction pump to put the fluid in and the differential only took slightly more than 2 quarts before it began spilling out of the fill plug (yes I did fill it on level ground). This seems to be a big difference from what the manual calls for. I want to know if this is ok. I want to make sure I did not do anything wrong. I am taking a long trip and I don't want an damage to be done to the axle gears. As an aside I spoke to a service manager from Ford on the phone who really wasn't much help but did give one good piece of advice. He told me to drive the truck around for a few miles to see if the oil worked itself into the gears. He told me that may be the reason for the diffence in the specified fluid level vs. how much the truck took. I did this. I drove the truck around for a few miles then took off the fill plug to check the fluid level. Sure enough fluid started to dribble out when I took the plug out. Also I put my finger in the fill hole and I felt that the fluid was close to the fill plug. Anyway sorry to write so much but I want to give the correct information so I can get the right answer. Any and all info. is appreciated. - Regards, Mike.

 

[kunar]

if you only used a suction gun, you probably didn't get it all out. if there was still 1/2 quart in it, it would only take 2 to fill it. as long as it's full, it should be fine. if you want to find out if your axle is a l/s unit or not, get the axle code off of your door sticker, and decode it here

 

[nh2123]

No I didnt use the suction gun to take out the fluid. I unbolted the side to let the fluid out. I only used the suction gun to put the new fluid in.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

If its full its full. Its just that simple. Once its to the bottom of the fill plug shes good to go.

 

[nh2123]

yeah thanks for your reply, I just had my truck out for a drive and it drives good, no noticable difference since before the diff. fluid change.

 

[nh2123]

anyone with any other comments on this?

 

[86ford]

I dont recall off hand if the 7.5 and the 8.8 have different fill quantities but if so that would explain your problem. I usually fill it till it runs out, hopefully not out the bottom because it did not seal.

86

 

[nh2123]

anyone have any specific experiance with the 7.5 rear axle regarding diffenential fluid capacity?