Diff Oil...when should it be changed?? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Extreme_2020 · 10-09-2002, 21:06

Hey Guys,

Just wondering...when should you replace the oil in your diff?? Just looking at my XF and wondering when it was last done...or if it ever has been!

I know diffs are overlooked during most routine servicing...but is there a recommended interval?? Or do you never have to replace/drain it unless something goes wrong??

Thanks

Extreme

TopGhia · 10-09-2002, 22:53

i would change it at/every 100k k's, oil is cheaper than re-builds.

robluvsxr8s · 10-10-2002, 01:10

I change mine about every 40 000km or even less sometimes but its just a matter of preference. I second what TopGhia said : "oil is cheaper than re-builds" :s2:

XR_Strider_GuY · 10-10-2002, 02:55

Quote:

Originally posted by robluvsxr8s
I change mine about every 40 000km or even less sometimes but its just a matter of preference. I second what TopGhia said : "oil is cheaper than re-builds" :s2:

I'll agree to that too. I change my diff oil often as well. EF has had a regular diff oil change and at 225k the diff feels as new as when we took the car out of the car yard.

Extreme_2020 · 10-10-2002, 04:25

Thanks Fellas!

Ill get the diff oil replaced during my next service!

I hope its not 14 years old!

Extreme

MelbXR6EF · 10-10-2002, 06:37

ok here is a stupid question how do you change the diff oil ? how do you get to it ? can you do it at home ?

BluAU2 · 10-10-2002, 14:56

I just did mine on the AU - pretty easy.

You will need to get the car jacked up or on stands - problem is that it needs to be level so jacking the back up won't work. I just backed my car up to the upper edge of a low wall so I could get at the underside easily.

To drain remove the lowest bolt from the diff cover (it has a different appearance to the rest). It's a weird size so make sure you have that 15mm socket on hand and mine was very tight to get undone.

To fill remove the big filler plug (about 30mm from memory). Fill with diff oil* until it is level with the bottom of the filler hole (or starts coming back out). If you forgot to reinstall the drain bolt this step will take a long time!!!

Reinstall the filler plug and you're done.

* If you have a Limited Slip Diff (should be tagged as such) you need to get the correct oil. Otherwise normal Hypoid diff oil will do.

Chris.

BRING_BACK_XF · 10-10-2002, 17:02

If you have a LSD then it might start chattering when you go around corners. Time to change the oil if that happens. Fixes it no probs.

creature3 · 10-10-2002, 19:44

LSD diff oil change = never, unless rebuilding
Standard diff, about 100,000 ks, plus

BluAU2 · 10-10-2002, 20:23

Most people would never change diff or manual trans oil and never have a problem.

I like to do mine at least once at 20000-40000ks as a running in thing. That 1st lot of oil always comes out dirty looking although it's probably just assembly grease or something that's making it black.

The small quantity of oil used doesn't cost much and it's a nice feeling that those gears are swimming in nice clean oil! It's just something I've picked up from motorcycle maintenance - the final drive on my bike only holds 140cc of oil so I change it often but it only costs like a dollar or two!

Now changing oil in Auto boxes might be an interesting thread...

Chris.