Change Driveline Fluids Early!

[Gotchaa]

Rear Axle Parts:


- Amsoil 75W-140 fluid (about 2 QTs) - https://www.amsoil.com/p/severe-gear-75w-140-svo/?code=SVOQT-EA

- PTFE Megatape (Gray) - https://www.amazon.com/HERC-15100-1-2X1000-MEGATAPE/dp/B00LO49TV2

- I chose 75W-140 because Dana recommends it for the M220 axle (they also recommend it for the M210 front axle). Any 75W-140 off the shelf (Castrol, Mobil, or Valvoline, etc.) will also work if you do not want to order Amsoil.

- The bolt thread depth in the axle housing is 23mm. If using the OEM rubber and steel gasket with the Ford Performance cover, then you need M8 bolts that are at least 25mm long—if purchasing new ones, then consider 30MM. IMHO, the supplied bolts with the cover are 20mm and they will be too short for the OEM gasket.

Will the supplied bolts work? Yes. They will grab enough thread to tighten and not leak. Are they optimum? No. Because the face of the axle housing threaded bosses is back chamfered, you are not grabbing much thread despite what is protruding from the cover. Also, consider the parent material is cast iron—if you snag the cover on a drop off, you will wish you had more thread engagement into the housing versus what the supplied 20MM bolts gives.

It should also be noted that I have not found a single source for the fiber composition gaskets which are supplied with the Ford Performance cover. The only gaskets currently in the marketplace for a 12 bolt Advantek axle cover is OEM—either from Ford or Jeep (the Rubicon uses the same rear axle). All other Dana 44 gaskets are for the older generation which is a 10 bolt design.

Okay just to be clear, are you using just the OEM rubber gasket or the one that came with the Ford Performance cover or both?

Where are you putting the PTFE tape?

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[KenNessee]

I did the same in the rear at 5k miles. Guess I need to do the rest here soon.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Okay just to be clear, are you using just the OEM rubber gasket or the one that came with the Ford Performance cover or both?

Where are you putting the PTFE tape?

OEM Ford gasket since it is the only one commercially available. The tape goes on the drain and fill plugs.

 

[Gotchaa]

OEM Ford gasket since it is the only one commercially available. The tape goes on the drain and fill plugs.

I was planning on just using the gasket that came with the ford performance cover, assuming its the same as the oem one

 

[CarbonSteel]

I was planning on just using the gasket that came with the ford performance cover, assuming its the same as the oem one

It is not. The OEM is rubber with steel reinforcements and resuable. The FP is fiber composite and is a one time use.

 

[Gotchaa]

It is not. The OEM is rubber with steel reinforcements and resuable. The FP is fiber composite and is a one time use.

So I don’t have the 25mm screws you recommended was thinking to just use FP gasket and FP screws, and next time swap it out with OEM and 25mm screws

 

[CarbonSteel]

So I don’t have the 25mm screws you recommended was thinking to just use FP gasket and FP screws, and next time swap it out with OEM and 25mm screws

If you are not dragging the axle over rocks, you can use the FP bolts and the OEM gasket and then change them out one at a time when you have the 25MM.

 

[Gotchaa]

If you are not dragging the axle over rocks, you can use the FP bolts and the OEM gasket and then change them out one at a time when you have the 25MM.

Smart man, that sounds like a plan. I am going to use 75w140 valvoline because it’s available. I still don’t understand the technical reasons why 75wx90 is recommended by Ford vs what Dana says. Does the 75w90 cool faster?

 

[CarbonSteel]

Smart man, that sounds like a plan. I am going to use 75w140 valvoline because it’s available. I still don’t understand the technical reasons why 75wx90 is recommended by Ford vs what Dana says. Does the 75w90 cool faster?

It's 75W-85 (which is even more bastardized). No, it could, maybe, possibly, theoretically, hopefully, potentially provide 0.000000000001% better MPG.

Given the millions on the table for CAFE credits, all OEMs work overtime to try and achieve them, despite the potential reduction in operating life.

 

[Gotchaa]

It's 75W-85 (which is even more bastardized). No, it could, maybe, possibly, theoretically, hopefully, potentially provide 0.000000000001% better MPG.

Given the millions on the table for CAFE credits, all OEMs work overtime to try and achieve them, despite the potential reduction in operating life.

Okay so I got this done using the OEM gasket which looked good to me. I drove to the hardware store to check on the longer 25MM bolts, did not find them. Have these on order https://a.co/d/eEgwNzP

I am not sure, but I may have a small drip leak at the bottom, monitoring this, but wondering if it could be from the gasket, not using proper torque spec, or over tightening?

If anyone has the part number for the OEM gasket I may want to order one as a spare just in case. If I do see any leaks after a longer offroad drive on Friday, I may just replace the gasket when the longer screws come in.

Also I filled from the top bolt, 2 quarts, I stopped there am I suppose to see some fluid coming out of the fill hole to know it’s full or should I just leave it as is, if I do have a leak and want to top it off, wondering if I just add until it starts coming out of that top fill plug. I thought I read somewhere more is not better so my inclination is to stick to the shop guide of 2qts.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Okay so I got this done using the OEM gasket which looked good to me. I drove to the hardware store to check on the longer 25MM bolts, did not find them. Have these on order https://a.co/d/eEgwNzP

I am not sure, but I may have a small drip leak at the bottom, monitoring this, but wondering if it could be from the gasket, not using proper torque spec, or over tightening?

If anyone has the part number for the OEM gasket I may want to order one as a spare just in case. If I do see any leaks after a longer offroad drive on Friday, I may just replace the gasket when the longer screws come in.

Also I filled from the top bolt, 2 quarts, I stopped there am I suppose to see some fluid coming out of the fill hole to know it’s full or should I just leave it as is, if I do have a leak and want to top it off, wondering if I just add until it starts coming out of that top fill plug. I thought I read somewhere more is not better so my inclination is to stick to the shop guide of 2qts.

OEM Gasket = KB3Z 4036 A

You should fill until it comes out of the bottom plug unless you have lifted your Bronco past stock, then use to top plug due to rotation of the axle.

 

[Gotchaa]

OEM Gasket = KB3Z 4036 A

You should fill until it comes out of the bottom plug unless you have lifted your Bronco past stock, then use to top plug due to rotation of the axle.

Thanks. Looked just now and not a drop came out, assuming I wouldn’t see anything with it sitting anyhow will have to get some miles on it.

As far as lift goes from the stock SAS height, I am probably 3 inches lifted with Icons. Assuming you mean this lower plug?

 

[CarbonSteel]

Thanks. Looked just now and not a drop came out, assuming I wouldn’t see anything with it sitting anyhow will have to get some miles on it.

As far as lift goes from the stock SAS height, I am probably 3 inches lifted with Icons. Assuming you mean this lower plug?

Correct; but given your lift, the top plug is likely fine.

 

[OG_YOLK]

Just for clarity - Dana Spicer specifies 75W-140 in the Dana 44 Advantek axles. Many OEMs (including Ford) reduce that for CAFE (read this MPG) credits which does not equate to axle longevity. Given the heat and the metal these axles generate, I am more than comfortable deviating from Ford's recommendation--you may not be and that is OK too.

New to the forum… Just purchased a 2022 Wildtrak in cyber orange. I was t expecting to make a purchase but after I test drove it, there was no looking back. I paid $45k out the door with 15k miles on it. I drained the dif fluids today and replaced all with Amsoil 75w-140. Typical build up on the magnet, fluid looked as expected.

 

[OG_YOLK]

Change the rear dif fluid.. Check out the video: that sludge is full of metal particulates. Nice thorough wipe down and buttoned it back up. Glad I did it albeit cold outside.

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