Change Driveline Fluids Early!

[vicorjh]

So finally planning this for tomorrow and lost confidence on rear diff torque specs and pattern. Reusing the stock rear diff cover (22 Badlands). Cannot find a pattern other than the PPE cover pattern which looks a bit uneven. 177 in-lbs or 14.75 ft lbs plus 25 degrees, or 25-30 ft lbs from the Dana spec sheet? Also read not to reuse the bolts as the factory spec is torque to yield, which is odd to me for something like a diff cover that is supposed to be serviceable.

Any insights on the torque value, pattern and reuse of bolts for stock rear diff cover is greatly appreciated! Probably over thinking it. First time on this. Thank you @CarbonSteel and others for all the great info in this thread!

Unlike some fasteners, the service manual for the rear diff cover does not make note of bolt disposal. I say clean and reuse them. New bolts are relatively inexpensive though.

The factory specification with the Ford reusable gasket is as you've noted. 177 in.lb. (20Nm) + 25 degrees for both the studs and the bolts. I think I had torqued mine to ~24 Nm with a dab of thread sealant in an alternating pattern. Reused the gasket. No problems.

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[CarbonSteel]

So finally planning this for tomorrow and lost confidence on rear diff torque specs and pattern. Reusing the stock rear diff cover (22 Badlands). Cannot find a pattern other than the PPE cover pattern which looks a bit uneven. 177 in-lbs or 14.75 ft lbs plus 25 degrees, or 25-30 ft lbs from the Dana spec sheet? Also read not to reuse the bolts as the factory spec is torque to yield, which is odd to me for something like a diff cover that is supposed to be serviceable.

Any insights on the torque value, pattern and reuse of bolts for stock rear diff cover is greatly appreciated! Probably over thinking it. First time on this. Thank you @CarbonSteel and others for all the great info in this thread!

The PPE pattern is spot on and the bolts and the OEM gasket can be reused 10x or more (I did on my Wrangler which has the same axle).

I think I torqued to 22NM and called it a day. I have had no leaks.

 

[JimCA]

Thank you @CarbonSteel and Jay! @vicorjh. Very much appreciated

 

[JimCA]

So glad for the good folks on this thread and the opportunity to easily prolong the life of the Bronco. Pulled the fill plug and it was doing its thing, covered in metallic sludge. 9,500 miles new. At first drain the oil looked reasonably ok but by the end it was terrible. Didn’t measure but drained less than 1 quart / half-filled. Obligatory pics attached. Takeaway: gear oil smells bad.

 

[Ducati1098]

Unlike some fasteners, the service manual for the rear diff cover does not make note of bolt disposal. I say clean and reuse them. New bolts are relatively inexpensive though.

The factory specification with the Ford reusable gasket is as you've noted. 177 in.lb. (20Nm) + 25 degrees for both the studs and the bolts. I think I had torqued mine to ~24 Nm with a dab of thread sealant in an alternating pattern. Reused the gasket. No problems.

Torque to yield bolts should never be reused. Once they’ve been stretched, they will never achieve the correct clamping force again.
It’s likely just a mistake in the WSM.
Even a new gasket from Ford comes with new bolts.

 

[Tricky Mike]

Torque to yield bolts should never be reused. Once they’ve been stretched, they will never achieve the correct clamping force again.
It’s likely just a mistake in the WSM.
Even a new gasket from Ford comes with new bolts.

Seems to me like a silly place for TTY. I'll be replacing with regular bolts when I get around to this.

But are they actually yielding here? I would think the gasket would make it hard to stretch them.

 

[Ducati1098]

Seems to me like a silly place for TTY. I'll be replacing with regular bolts when I get around to this.

Agreed. Not sure why they decided to do that

 

[Ducati1098]

But are they actually yielding here? I would think the gasket would make it hard to stretch them.

Yes, the gasket bolt holes have a metal washer built in. So after the initial torque is performed, they will stretch to achieve the final clamping force.

 

[jsoa]

this is making me a little concerned as I also reused the factory bolts and diff cover at 2.5k miles. My next interval will be 5k with the FP cover, have not decided yet if I'm going to use the factory gasket or the FP one yet. I have yet to buy any bolts if im going with the factory gasket

 

[Glen24]

How much should I expect to pay to have the front and rear axel fluid and transfer case fluid changed at the dealer?

 

[redone17]

How much should I expect to pay to have the front and rear axel fluid and transfer case fluid changed at the dealer?

$700-800

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

How much should I expect to pay to have the front and rear axel fluid and transfer case fluid changed at the dealer?

If you don’t have a front skid plate, getting to the front diff isn’t so bad. What you will need is a fluid pump that can extract, just to make the front and back easier, this should be less than $100. Mine is a Motive purchased on Amazon, works flawlessly and easy to use. Just clean between applications with a hose and some mild soap perhaps, although I think water did the deed just fine. I’ve only cleaned between gear oil and transfer case trans fluid.

Prep to avoid spills are the only concern and some plastic, cardboard from old boxes and or some newspaper with the plastic for painting will be all you need to source.

Perhaps most important, is the self satisfaction you get when you do these things yourself, so as long as you have a driveway that’s shaded or a garage, may actually enjoy it.

Search the thread for the different oil brands that guys like. I’m an Amsoil guy, but think all of the decent brands are good.

Otherwise, yeah, $600 - $800 at the stealership….

 

[CarbonSteel]

If you don’t have a front skid plate, getting to the front diff isn’t so bad. What you will need is a fluid pump that can extract, just to make the front and back easier, this should be less than $100. Mine is a Motive purchased on Amazon, works flawlessly and easy to use. Just clean between applications with a hose and some mild soap perhaps, although I think water did the deed just fine. I’ve only cleaned between gear oil and transfer case trans fluid.

Prep to avoid spills are the only concern and some plastic, cardboard from old boxes and or some newspaper with the plastic for painting will be all you need to source.

Perhaps most important, is the self satisfaction you get when you do these things yourself, so as long as you have a driveway that’s shaded or a garage, may actually enjoy it.

Search the thread for the different oil brands that guys like. I’m an Amsoil guy, but think all of the decent brands are good.

Otherwise, yeah, $600 - $800 at the stealership….

Why would you need an extractor at all? The front has a fill and a drain plug.

The rear cover has a reusable gasket and is simple to remove.

An extractor will not get all of the fluid out and in the rear there will be a glop of metal goop in the reservoir below the ring gear that needs to be wiped out.

Just me, but I would save the $100.

 

[redone17]

I was wondering that myself. Poured out on its own.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

Why would you need an extractor at all? The front has a fill and a drain plug.

The rear cover has a reusable gasket and is simple to remove.

An extractor will not get all of the fluid out and in the rear there will be a glop of metal goop in the reservoir below the ring gear that needs to be wiped out.

Just me, but I would save the $100.

For both, as unless you have replaced the rear cover, an extractor/filler makes for an easy day. Not getting all out of the rear is true, but better than nothing.

If someone already is apprehensive on doing these things themselves, think it’s important to share the easiest path to getting it done with as little headache as possible. What may be easy or nothing to you, may be a big deal for someone else. Take the worst case scenario and give options, not just one own’s way of doing things.

Extractors make what can look daunting easy and they’re great for filling fluids too, so good to keep in the garage.

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