I just had the 60,000 mile job done at the dealership, and they told me that the front diff lube was "lifetime". I don't believe in lifetime anything on a car/truck, so I'm going to the quick lube place to have it pumped out and replaced [$30]. I would like to use/bring the Ford spec Motorcraft lube, but don't know what it is, or how much to use. While I trust them to pump it out, I don't trust them to put the right stuff in. Thanks for the help!

 

Bookmark --> Owners manuals online

Front and rear axles take:

Motorcraft SAE 80W-90 Premium Rear Axle Lubricant
P/N: XY-80W90-QL or equivalent

3.6 pints front
5.0~5.3 pints rear

 

How do you check the front, im afraid i might be slingin some.

 

There is a fill hole/plug you check. I was going to change mine out
but the pinion seal went bad so they changed it for free for me..
"nifty" or something. Ya right. I just hope it doesnt go bad again
first one lasted 28k... 67k on it now.

Rand

 

Ya im afraid i got a leak somewhere or sumthin.

 

if its leaking it will be on the diff somewhere.. if its dirty clean it up really good
then just look for it after a couple days..
normally the most likely place to leak is the pinion seal (where the driveshaft connects to the diff)

Rand

 

i work for ford and do all the axles at my dealership, ford switched from the reg 80 90 to the synthetic 75 140 (i believe.... its three in the morning just got off from the night job) lol any wayz just go up to the ford parts counter and ask for the synthetic rear gear lube and they'll give it to you there is only one weight we use, and like i said i belive its the 75 140
trev

 

Ford Ranger owners manuals continue to specify 80W90 for both front and rear axles through 2006 and I cannot find any TSB's that supercede that info.

The only exception within the Ranger lineup is the 2002 FX4 and 2003+ FX4 LII rear axle with the Torsen LSD - these call for 75W140 synthetic. Many other Ford axles in other applications call for 75W140 sythetic as well.

Perhaps your dealership management decided to standardize your stock?

 

i bet hes right, i know when i had my jeep (i never messed with the rear axle) but the front, (Dyna 35) i remeber it using a 75 weight synthetic gear oil... expinsve too... i advance aoutparts, only one they had was valvoline...

 

Ya ill have to try that..thanks!

 

the reason they switched from the reg to the synthetic is they found the 80 90 was breaking down to fast and the new syn, is way way way better lube but that is just my advise
trev

 

If that's the case, then why does the 2006 Ranger owner's manual still call for 80W90 conventional lube in all Ranger front axles, same as in prior years? I don't think there would be a problem running the 75W140 synthetic but it does not appear that it is required.

 

i'm just here to offer advise, i build diffs at the dealership and i build my own for race purposes and daily drivers, so ive seen both sides, here it is plain and simple synthetic gear lube actually softens up metal, there for making it not so acceptable to make noise or wear as rapidly, as far as the 2006 manual still recommending the 80 90..... its not like they use any diff metal or materials than in an explorer or any other ford diff, and that is what is recommended for explorer/mountaineer/aviator/navigator/expedition. so i guess the choice is yours, just know once you go to synthetic you can't go back.