Noticed that my '02 4.7 4wd rear differential was the only dry area on the underside after driving in the rain when I came outta the store. Kinda concerned it may be to warm because of low or no fluid.

Anyone know how to access the level check? I didn't notice a check plug but haven't crawled under it yet.

 

there should be a plug on the backside of the differential... the side facing the rear of the vehicle... should be a round black rubber deal...

 

Oh man I feel like a moron. Yeah it was there alright. Had some mud on it and couldn't see it.

Wasn't too low, put some Lucas in it to top it off.

Thanks bud.

 

There is a LOT of information on this forum about differential maintenence, do yourself a favour and find out which one you have and how to look after it, or find out the hard way when its too late, as I did.They cost little to maintain, but a lot of money to replace. I wuz crying in my beer bigtime when my front went out, but if I had been on this forum sooner I could have probably saved myself $1000, !

 

no problem... glad to be able to help ya out... i need to check the level on mine cause it looks like the plug might be leakin some fluid out...

 

i hope when you say lucas you just meant that was the brand of gear oil you bought and that you did not put any oil additives in

 

+1 neil

+1 Sharps

 

Hopefully there was no additives put in the rear differential case. Nothing but an LS additive shall ever be added to the differential because it can and will cause major problems down the road. I also have no trust in Lucas anymore to put anything of theirs in my vehicle.

Hopefully this is what you're referring to with the oil you put in... I've never seen it at the parts store however so I don't know.

http://www.lucasoil.com/products/dis...id=12&loc=show

 

How can you figure out what size ring gear you have in the differential? I mean, is it easy to measure it after you take the pan off? Also, is there an easy way to tell if you have LS or not by looking at it?

Thanks,
Steven

 

You can find both of those by not even having to remove the rear differential cover. To find what gearing you have, look for a small tag on one of the bolts either saying 3.5 or 3.9. If it's got 3.5 you have 3.55 and if it's 3.9 it's 3.92 gearing. As for checking if you have an LSD, jack up the rear end to get both wheels off the ground and spin the passenger wheel by hand. If the driver wheel spins the same direction, you have an LSD and if it spins the opposite direction, you have an open differential.