Change Driveline Fluids Early!

[CarbonSteel]

@CarbonSteel and anyone!

What the hell kind of bit do you use to unscrew this brake line clip? I can’t get this damn thing for nothing.

Watched a couple of videos, but no one showed or said what bit and how to unscrew it. Also can’t get the clip part either. This is madness!

I opened my clip and removed the line from it and then "unscrewed" it. If you try to force it off, the tabs that hold it on the stud will likely break.

Check out this video that shows how they lock onto the line:

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[MadMan4BamaNATL]

The 2 on the rear diff cover? Those don’t screw in. They just pop on and off. You can use a trim popping tool or a screw driver. Just be very careful not to break them obviously. They can stay on the brake line once they’re moved away from the stud a little.

Thanks as always man. They look threaded and kind of weak. Trying to pop that clip is no joke.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

I opened my clip and removed the line from it and then "unscrewed" it. If you try to force it off, the tabs that hold it on the stud will likely break.

Check out this video that shows how they lock onto the line:

I’ve watched your video a few times now. . The clip is in good and guess I’m scared to break one. There are little dints in one now from me trying to pry it with a tiny screwdriver.

Will keep at it. Easy job besides the clips. It started raining here so may have to abandon for today and just clean my K&N air filter. Sucks.

 

[CarbonSteel]

I’ve watched your video a few times now. . The clip is in good and guess I’m scared to break one. There are little dints in one now from me trying to pry it with a tiny screwdriver.

Will keep at it. Easy job besides the clips. It started raining here so may have to abandon for today and just clean my K&N air filter. Sucks.

Use a very small flat blade to open the lock. Here are a few close-ups that may help:

 

[Ducati1098]

Thanks as always man. They look threaded and kind of weak. Trying to pop that clip is no joke.

No problem. They just have little teeth that grab the threads of the stud.
It’s probably better to do it the way @CarbonSteel mentioned if you’re unfamiliar with them just to make they don’t get broken.

 

[CarbonSteel]

No problem. They just have little teeth that grab the threads of the stud.
It’s probably better to do it the way @CarbonSteel mentioned if you’re unfamiliar with them just to make they don’t get broken.

and @MadMan4BamaNATL remember they are not available as a separate part, you have to buy the entire left side brake line to get them ($75ish)...thanks Ford!

It's the main reason I chose not to re-use them on the Ford Performance cover, but installed longer studs and used the rubber lined stainless clamps.

 

[Sundog]

CarbonSteel, many thanks for the guidance given in this thread. Gave me the confidence to take on the job of differential cover and fluid changes. Used my Ford points to purchase the cover and all went well except swapping out the brake line clips. Was not able to pry them apart without breaking them. So I did reuse them. Did purchase all your recommended bolts, plugs, washers, and fluid recommendations, though. This fluid changes will be much easier in the future. Your advice on new magnetized drain plugs was money well spent too. Thanks again!

 

[Brian_B]

@CarbonSteel and anyone!

What the hell kind of bit do you use to unscrew this brake line clip? I can’t get this damn thing for nothing.

Watched a couple of videos, but no one showed or said what bit and how to unscrew it. Also can’t get the clip part either. This is madness!

Easiest way I've found was to use a small screwdriver. It's a clasp/locking tab kinda like a ziptie. Just pry the locking tab out a bit and it will pop right off the bolt threads.

 

[CarbonSteel]

CarbonSteel, many thanks for the guidance given in this thread. Gave me the confidence to take on the job of differential cover and fluid changes. Used my Ford points to purchase the cover and all went well except swapping out the brake line clips. Was not able to pry them apart without breaking them. So I did reuse them. Did purchase all your recommended bolts, plugs, washers, and fluid recommendations, though. This fluid changes will be much easier in the future. Your advice on new magnetized drain plugs was money well spent too. Thanks again!

Any time! I am happy to help where and when I can.

 

[Brian_B]

Gave me the confidence to take on the job of differential cover and fluid changes.

Looks slick!

 

[Sloth]

@CarbonSteel

I may have missed the reasoning in this long thread…

I’m curious why you decided to reused the OEM differential gasket instead of the one that came with the FP differential cover.

 

[CarbonSteel]

@CarbonSteel

I may have missed the reasoning in this long thread…

I’m curious why you decided to reused the OEM differential gasket instead of the one that came with the FP differential cover.

A few reasons:

1. The OEM is reusable (the axle in the Bronco is the same as the Wrangler and I reused the one in my Wrangler more than 10 times).

2. The one supplied with the FP cover would require sealant to be used which is messy and would require clean up if I pulled the cover

3. Primary reason -- I could not find a replacement for the FP supplied fiber gasket. Plenty out there for the old version of the D44 (10 bolt cover), but none for the new 12 bolt cover.

Using the OEM gasket with the FP cover means you need longer bolts, but I would have replaced them anyway (even if I used the thinner FP gasket) since the bolt holes in the housing are 23mm deep and I wanted more thread engagement.

Hope this helps!

 

[Sloth]

@CarbonSteel

Thank you sir! You’ve provided a lot of good info and I appreciate your time here.

 

[Bigfx]

So went outside and spent a minute looking at the clips super easy to unclip use a sharp pic tool and press it through the hole and depress
Clip with it and use a plastic pry tool to move the clip from the tab side and voila it’s off. Takes 5 seconds, pic of the pick tool I used a
straight one will also work.

 

[GroovyGeek]

I opened my clip and removed the line from it and then "unscrewed" it. If you try to force it off, the tabs that hold it on the stud will likely break.

Check out this video that shows how they lock onto the line:

They come off pretty easily pulling straight out. At least mine did. I now have a FP diff cover in there, so they will not be coming out again anytime soon.

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