Thought I'd post some photos and let those that are nervous know that changing your rear differential fluid is uber-easy. My 2004 SCrew is at 60K miles hence the fluid change. The most time consuming (and not required part) was sanding off the rust off of the outside of the cover then having to prime and paint it. Anyways, here's some photos:

Cover removed -


Inside of cover (just removed) -


Prepped to put back -

 

So to drain the old oil do you just loosen the bolts enough to let the stuff ooze out? What did you use for the sealant? Any locktight or anti-seize on the bolts? As you might have guessed by now I have never done this.

Thanks for posting!

 

I dropped the spare to get at the cover bolts a little easier. I took out all but two upper bolts and just backed those two out. Wacked on it pretty solidly with a mallet until the cover broke loose and let the fluid drain. I used Motorcraft silicone sealant because as far as I know, Ford doesn't make a gasket anymore (don't quote me on that though). I didn't use any anti-seize on the bolts, not that it would've hurt.

 

did you use a torque wrench to put the bolts back on or did you just tighten them by feel?

 

Didn't use a torque wrench. The Haynes/Chilton/whatever manual tells you you can and gives you the specs but no, I didn't use a torque wrench.

 

I've done this too many times on Jeeps.

Once the sealant "skins" you just bolt it up lightly, not too tight, just enough to keep the sealant from oozing out. It's hard to say how tight cause after years of doing it you acquire a "feel".

 

Just make sure you can get the fill plug out before you take the diff cover off. I had a hell of a time getting it broke loose on my old truck when I changed the fluid. Of course I tried to take it out after I took the cover off.

 

HA, I actually thought of that when I went to go back the fill plug out after bolting the cover back on. I thought, "Oh hell, here we go..."