I changed my diff fluid today at 100k miles. SOme places I read, it suggests I let the silicone "Skin over" before I put the diff cover on. However, the silicone gasket maker I bought says to install the parts immediately after the silicon is applied, hand tighten bolts, wait 1 hour, then tighten bolts to specs. It also said total drying time is 1 hour. I followed these instructions. After tightening up all the cover bolts, I waited about 4 hours before I filled up the diff just to make sure the silicon dried. Do you think it'll be alright?

Filling up brings me to the next quesiton. The Chilton manual says the diff takes 5.5-6.9 quarts of oil. The dealer's parts counter guy asked one of the techs and told me it will take 3.5qts. HOWEVER, after adding the 4oz of friction modifier, the diff only took exactly 3qts. What gives? Am I supposed to drive it around a bit then top it off?

 

It has been my experience to let the silicone cure for 24 hours, i'm sure it will be fine but i wouldnt go driving it around for a day or so,
as far as the capacity goes, your guess is as good as mine

 

You should be fine for the sealant. The refill is approximately 5.5 Quarts. You should be about ¼ inch below the fill hole on a level surface. These specs are in the owner's manual. If you don't have one you can get one here:

https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenan...ls/default.asp

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

Chilton's is correct except you read quarts instead of pints. 8.8" and 9.75" is 5.5 pints, 10.25 is 6.9 pints. The tech is correct - for 10.25".

 

MAJOR OOPS! My post should have read pints not quarts. Sorry for the confusion. Thanks for spotting my faux pas glc.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier