Hey-

I signed up for the techauthority for 1 day and it didn't have much of a description on how to change the fluid in the axles. First off, are we talking about the fluid in the differentials? Can anyone provide some guidance?

Thanks!

 

Haven't done it on my Dodge yet, but it's real easy.

On my chevy's there was no drain hold so you take off the differential cover, just crack the bottom at first so the fluid doesn't splash out.

Clean the gasket and any stuff that may be in the bottom of the differential.

Make sure your differential cover is still straight.

Seal it up with a new gasket and silicon.

Fill till fluid reaches the fill hole.

-Chris

 

More specifically, you need to place a pan under the differential. Remove the lower bolts that secure the cover and loosen the remaining bolts. Use a gasket scraper or putty knife and work it between the cover and the case, at the bottom, so you break the seal. Then remove the fill plug and let the majority of fluid drain. Then remove the remaining bolts and remove the cover. Wipe out the interior of the housing and cover the gears with rags. Scrape off the RTV (there's usually not a gasket) and make sure both the mounting surface of the housing and the mating surface of the cover are clean. Remove the rags. Run a bead of RTV around the housing surface, making sure it goes to the inside of the mounting holes. Line up the cover and install the bolts. Tighten them snug so the RTV is depressed, and the bolts won't come loose, but not so tight that you squeeze all the RTV out from between. Also, it helps if the bolts are tightened in a cross pattern to avoid warping the cover's flange. Let it sit for an hour or so, allowing the RTV to setup. Then, if you have the anti-spin rearend, add the additive first, then fill with the proper fluid to about 3/8" below the fill hole. You should be able to stick the tip of your finger into the hole, and just touch the top of the fluid level. Replace the plug. Drive a few figure 8s to get the fluid out to the ends of the axel. After a few miles, check the level again, and add if necessary.

 

Thanks! Thats some good stuff: two questoins: What is RTV? and where exactly is the fill plug? I didn't see anything. Is it on the diff cover itself? Any pictures?

 

RTV is a gasket making material that comes in a tube that you squeeze out. The fill plug is usually on the opposite side of the diff cover, close to where the driveshaft enters.

 

Ok, im getting closer, found some good picutres somewhere..

Now I need to get the fric. modifier for the rear, not sure what to get. Also, what are the torque specs for the diff covers, trans pan, and trans filter?

Thanks!!

 

What vehicles are you looking at the the fill plug is near the pinion? Every 9.25 Rear End I've worked on has the fill plug on the differential cover itself. Some Japanese vehicles, or HE Gear may have the fill plugs in wierd areas, but the Dodge 9.25 rear end has the fill plug on the cover.

It's just a rubber plug you'll see it real easy when you look at it.

 

My old chevy was on the front of the diff. It was on the upper passengers side and had a 3/8 square in the lug so you could just insert a ratchet to looseen it up.

 

Some old Chevy's had the fill on the opposite side of the diff from the cover.

If the fill plug is on the differential cover take the plug out before you take the cover off. Just makes it easier if it is in tight or stuck. You don't want to bang up the gasket surface too much on the cover.

As far as the torque specs. Evenly tight, which is more than snug, holding the head of a 1/4" drive ratchet in the palm of your hand. It really doesn't matter too much from my experiences. I think tranny pans need to be done correctly though. Make sure you tighten each screw a little bit at a time using a cross pattern like you would on a wheel.

 

Fair enough, I've only seen it on the Diff Cover on the trucks I've worked on.