DIY: Gen 4 3.6R Front and Rear Differential Oil Change
I changed my rear differential fluid yesterday at 35K miles and decided to post this to help anyone else do this super easy DIY. I will be changing it on a shorter interval going forward. The old oil was silvery black and there was quite a bit of metal stuck to the drain plug magnet.
Tools and oil:
Breaker Bar
Torque Wrench (36lb/ft is what I used)
13mm Hex Bit (for the fill and drain plugs)
Measured Receptacle (if you want to know how much fluid was in the case)
Gloves and Rag
75w90 GL-5 0.8 Quart (25.6 oz) I used Valvoline available here.
Loosen the fill plug first or the drain plug may seize.
Place receptacle below drain hole while loosening drain plug.
Clean off magnet in the drain plug.
My oil was not honey colored. Seemed about .8 quart on the nose.
Replace the Drain Plug and torque at 36lb/ft.
You can get 25.6 oz out of the quart bottle with a couple of squeezes. It is not necessary for this job, but there are hand pumps and tubes available at the auto parts stores to make it easier. Fill her up to the bottom of the fill plug.
Replace the fill plug and your done.
Money saved and confidence in a job done right.
I changed my rear differential fluid yesterday at 35K miles and decided to post this to help anyone else do this super easy DIY. I will be changing it on a shorter interval going forward. The old oil was silvery black and there was quite a bit of metal stuck to the drain plug magnet.
Tools and oil:
Breaker Bar
Torque Wrench (36lb/ft is what I used)
13mm Hex Bit (for the fill and drain plugs)
Measured Receptacle (if you want to know how much fluid was in the case)
Gloves and Rag
75w90 GL-5 0.8 Quart (25.6 oz) I used Valvoline available here.
Loosen the fill plug first or the drain plug may seize.
Place receptacle below drain hole while loosening drain plug.
Clean off magnet in the drain plug.
My oil was not honey colored. Seemed about .8 quart on the nose.
Replace the Drain Plug and torque at 36lb/ft.
You can get 25.6 oz out of the quart bottle with a couple of squeezes. It is not necessary for this job, but there are hand pumps and tubes available at the auto parts stores to make it easier. Fill her up to the bottom of the fill plug.
Replace the fill plug and your done.
Money saved and confidence in a job done right.