I have never changed the rear diffs before. I have usually have had it done. Anyway can someone provide me with the steps to take, any hints or tricks and what type of oil is best. Thanks.

 

It isn't too bad at all. Some people prefer to drop the spare tire, some don't. On my truck, which is a 2wd, I did not and didn't have any issues with access.

My first step, was to clean off the differential cover and where the cover attaches to the housing so that when I take the cover off I'm not as apt to knock dust/dirt in there by accident.

After cleaning it I make sure I can get the fill plug out and then I put a wide pan under the diff and starting loosening bolts starting from the bottom and going from bottom towards the top on both sides. After you get the complete bottom loosened you will start to have fluid leak out and the more you loosen the more it does. After you do that and get most of the fluid out, you can remove the cover and clean everything out. I check how the gears look, look for debris in the bottom of the housing and all that. I also clean the inside of the pan, and the sealing surface on both cover and housing.

After that, I put the cover back on, and tighten the bolts. But do NOT crank too hard on them as they have been known to break. I've personally not broken any of them but I also was warned to be careful and I've had no issues.

Once the cover is on and tight, I fill with my choice of fluid. I believe capacity is about 3.75 quarts in the rear. You might have an issue tipping the bottle high enough to get all the fluid out of the bottle so I have a little clear flexible hose I use to help me get it all out.

After that take it out and do a few figure 8s and you are set.

 

Thank you. Does anyone know the torque specs? So I don't crank down too hard.

 

I believe they are somewhere on the site, but I seem to recall that a couple of people posted that they broke a couple of bolts before hitting the listed torque on those bolts. I just snug them up good and tight with my regular ratchet and I watch the area to make sure there's no weeping/seepage of fluid and its worked so far. I'm honestly afraid to really get on them.

 

The rated torque specs are to high. Just tighten good and snug and call it good. Don't want to break a bolt.

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thanks.