IM going to be changing my rear diff fluid this weekend and I just had a quicik question. I know the bolts on the cover for my 06 are 6 point but does anyone know the exact size it is just for east reference and grab the right tool fast. Also do you all recommend air tool, or just like wrench or socket. I noticed that the spare tire is right there so I dont think I could get in with my impact gun but just checking in with what you all think. Zach

 

So if you can’t get in remove the tire !
Also, if it was me, I would not use any high torque air tools; maybe a ⅜” Air Ratchet set low once you have broken the bolt loose and hand torque but the torque has to be low.
Not sure of the size of the bolt head but the bolts are not large so go easy on the torque, do it by hand and to factory spec, do not over tighten.
Also, once the cover is off and cleaned, check the edge for cracking and make sure the gasket sealing area around the OD is smooth and the bolt holes are flat; sometimes the bolts will dimple the area around the holes.
That’s all I have… take your time.

 

whats the torque setting on them, and one more quick question. Im wanting to do the front but as most know it has no drain plug. I talked to my friend at ford and asked in all honesty does the ford tool do better than the suction tool you can by yourself. And he said honestly its a very expensive machine which is one of the reasons why its $148 to have it done even tho its a quick job and in his honest opinion it will do a much better job and making sure all the old is out then a suction you would buy yourself thats cheap, but is 100 and something dollars worth that extra added security of getting all the old out? so i turn to you guys to help answer that ha....Also feel free to check out my other threads, I seem to be having alot of lil problems here recently, damn grimlins grr!

 

you won't need an impact wrench for the job. they are easy to get out, and the torque setting is only like 25 ft pounds or so.

 

thanks for the info pcollins, also any opinion on the rest that i posted in #3 post?

 

not to sure. i never bothered with the front differential because of how much work it is. i picked up a suction pump at my local auto store for $10 though...

 

And it won't hurt to run one of these through the fill hole to the bottom of the diff after you remove the old fluid.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...1&blockType=G1

May be some little nasty metal bits in there.

 

you should be fine on just using a suction to get as much as possible. Then if the situation ever arises that you have to pull the front diff then just pull the cover.

 

if his front is like mine, their is no diff cover. you have to unbolt it from the arms and back it up. MAJOR pain in the ***. stupid independent suspension...

 

he said he has an 06 so he does have a cover, you just have to drop the axle to pull the cover

 

This is interesting, I too have an 03 EDGE and was wondering about the gear oil.
If you can see the bolts and if you can find a fill port, then sometime the lowest bolt i also a drain.
Just thinking here I have never done this on an 03 with fixed front Diff.

 

you can take off the bottom bolts on the cover and pry them open to drain the fluid out, but the problem comes up when it is time to reseal it

 

removing the cover IS the drain plug. lol.

 

Try the lowest bolt first just in case.
Stick a piece of hard wire in the bolt hole and see if it will drain.
If not nothing ventured nothing gained.
The D44 and D60 has this method why not the D35 ?

ltr

 

I'm pretty sure it doesn't but I get what your saying and it would be a good idea