Ford Transit USA Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Differential Cover Replacement

Jump to Latest
41 - 60 of 70 Posts
#41 ·
#43 · (Edited)
kazuo said:
Differential Cover Gasket - Ford (HL3Z-4036-A)
2015-2023 Ford - hl3z4036a
MSRP: $49.64
Discount: $18.03 (36.3% off)
Sale Price: $31.61

2015-2024 Ford Differential Cover Gasket HL3Z-4036-A | OEM Parts Online

2015-2024 Ford Differential Cover Gasket HL3Z-4036-A
ford.oempartsonline.com ford.oempartsonline.com
Click to expand...
Would you rather have to replace a $50 MSRP gasket each time, hassle with a wiring harness, and remove and replace 12 bolts, creating a huge, time consuming, toxic mess, or just remove and replace 1 plug?
 
#44 ·
powerhawk said:
So question for you. Do you ever change the diff fluid, and if you do, do you not mind paying a fortune to have the dealer do it (assuming they actually do it)?
Click to expand...
I do change it in my vehicles at about 1/2 the manufacturers recommended miles, about 75,000 in this case. (so I have about 25,000 to go) With this style diff I clean out the bottom of the case where all the wear debris settles to. A drain plug in the pan leaves all that crap to get stirred up as soon as you drive away.
If I trust my shop I don't mind paying. I HATE the smell of gear lube. I don't trust my local dealer but I have a couple of years to find a shop I trust.
 
  • Helpful
Reactions: powerhawk
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#45 ·
Fair enough! But if there is a drain plug, you usually don't need to ever remove the differential cover during the life of the vehicle, unless there is a mechanical failure. I know there is some extra fluid you can clean if you remove the cover, but a drain and fill is good enough (and the standard with many vehicles) especially with a magnetic drain plug. And it's much quicker (so very easy to change the fluid regularly) and doesn't require a $50 gasket to be replaced each time.
 
#47 ·
powerhawk said:
Fair enough! But if there is a drain plug, you usually don't need to ever remove the differential cover during the life of the vehicle, unless there is a mechanical failure. I know there is some extra fluid you can clean if you remove the cover, but a drain and fill is good enough (and the standard with many vehicles) especially with a magnetic drain plug. And it's much quicker (so very easy to change the fluid regularly) and doesn't require a $50 gasket to be replaced each time.
Click to expand...
Only diffs with a bottom mounted plug (Toyota for sure) drain the debris with the fluid.
Our diffs, with a plug on the cover, leave the debris in the bottom and the ring gear circulates it when driving.
A $50 gasket every 150,000 miles (Ford)/75,000 miles (me) = $.000333/$.000666 per mile. Not big on my worry list.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OldMadBrit
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#48 ·
powerhawk said:
Nice! Do you know if this cover sits any higher/taller than the stock cover? Because I'll be running a 30.5" LT245/75/16 and there's only a tiny amount of space for the factory cover in the factory spare location.

Also, have you done a drain and fill yet with the new cover? Is the fill hole the top of the two holes on the back cover?
Click to expand...
I no longer run the spare underneath because my tires are too big.

Drain and fill I pull the stock fill plug because it is lower than the new bolt hole positions.

Also, this apparently does not fit with the sway bar. My suspension, B6's and lift springs in back and front, I don't get a lot of lateral roll.
 
#49 ·
pbethel said:
Only diffs with a bottom mounted plug (Toyota for sure) drain the debris with the fluid.
Our diffs, with a plug on the cover, leave the debris in the bottom and the ring gear circulates it when driving.
A $50 gasket every 150,000 miles (Ford)/75,000 miles (me) = $.000333/$.000666 per mile. Not big on my worry list.
Click to expand...
The factory fill plug and the Dana Spicer drain plugs have magnets and they both catch the goodies. Plus, a drain/fill while warm will keep the goodies in suspension.

I replace the fluid often with the TrueTrac for the break in and to see wear characteristics. I think I'm 70k miles since install, maybe more. Everything works fine and wear is minimal. TrueTrac has 30k mile service intervals so this part is a boon for maintenance.
 
#50 ·
The break-in procedure for a new rear end;

www.currieenterprises.com

The Gear Mating Process

Currie Enterprises is a premier manufacturer of high-performance direct replacement, and custom muscle car, and truck rearend axle assemblies.
www.currieenterprises.com www.currieenterprises.com
.
 
#51 ·
kazuo said:
The break-in procedure for a new rear end;

www.currieenterprises.com

The Gear Mating Process

Currie Enterprises is a premier manufacturer of high-performance direct replacement, and custom muscle car, and truck rearend axle assemblies.
www.currieenterprises.com www.currieenterprises.com
.
Click to expand...
My TrueTrac and Yukon gears are well broken in at this point.

I've been servicing a little early between intervals and experimenting with fluid levels and fluids.

At 30k interval at the last service I still have a little crud to wipe off of the magnetic drain plugs. Gear lube is clean.
 
#52 ·
Chillis said:
My TrueTrac and Yukon gears are well broken in at this point.

I've been servicing a little early between intervals and experimenting with fluid levels and fluids.

At 30k interval at the last service I still have a little crud to wipe off of the magnetic drain plugs. Gear lube is clean.
Click to expand...
So, what fluid are you liking with the TrueTrac?
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#55 · (Edited)
kazuo said:
Is it for limited slip? Part number?
Click to expand...
***Edit: just checked the garage and I've tossed all of the empty bottles out. I believe the Castrol was non-synthetic GL-5 for not for limited slip.

I've used Lucas, Castrol, some black bottle stuff at AutoZone and Valvoline. Noticed no difference between them. As the diff has broken in it works better than when new.***

I'll probably stock up on this to try next but I don't really think it makes a difference.


Eaton recommends a GL-5 non-synthetic 80w90 gear oil.

Some people have tried synthetics claiming success but if the manufacturer says non-synthetic I'll stick to that especially since this diff works with friction against the diff body. Too slick means no stick/no locking.

From Eaton:

.
 
#56 ·
Agree GL-5 non-synthetic 80w90, I used VALVOLINE™ HIGH PERFORMANCE SAE 80W-90 GEAR OIL for the initial fill; seems to be working well (both wheels hook up), a lot of the Gear lubes have Limited slip additive which is a big NO for the Truetrac differential.
Mobil Mobilube HD Plus Gear Lube looks good.

The manufactures went to synthetic Gear oils, so they can say Life of the vehicle (150K miles) oil change interval; lowers the operating cost and Fleet operators bottom line.


VALVOLINE™ HIGH PERFORMANCE SAE 80W-90 GEAR OIL

shop.valvolineglobal.com

Valvoline Daily Protection Gear Oil SAE 80W-90

Valvoline Daily Protection SAE 80W-90 Gear Oil is the thermally stabile extreme pressure lubricant that offers outstanding protection for gearboxes and differentials in passenger cars, light trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Combined with high quality base oils, our formula’s superior...
shop.valvolineglobal.com shop.valvolineglobal.com
 
#57 ·
kazuo said:
Agree GL-5 non-synthetic 80w90, I used VALVOLINE™ HIGH PERFORMANCE SAE 80W-90 GEAR OIL for the initial fill; seems to be working well (both wheels hook up), a lot of the Gear lubes have Limited slip additive which is a big NO for the Truetrac differential.
Mobil Mobilube HD Plus Gear Lube looks good.

The manufactures went to synthetic Gear oils, so they can say Life of the vehicle (150K miles) oil change interval; lowers the operating cost and Fleet operators bottom line.


VALVOLINE™ HIGH PERFORMANCE SAE 80W-90 GEAR OIL

shop.valvolineglobal.com

Valvoline Daily Protection Gear Oil SAE 80W-90

Valvoline Daily Protection SAE 80W-90 Gear Oil is the thermally stabile extreme pressure lubricant that offers outstanding protection for gearboxes and differentials in passenger cars, light trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Combined with high quality base oils, our formula’s superior...
shop.valvolineglobal.com shop.valvolineglobal.com
Click to expand...
I did not use the LSD versions of any gear lubes used.

Because of the diff cover in the original post, I did try the different fill holes and the more fluid in the diff the worse the lockup was.

Moral of the story, stick to the original fill hole if your diff angle is not changed with angled lift blocks.
 
#58 ·
As I am waiting for my van, I looked at the underside of a work van Transit 350 HR Ext. (To take note of where the rust is forming). There is no sway bar that would interfere with the Spicer cover. Is there any reason no one with an extended van has installed one of these differential covers?
 
#59 ·
powerhawk said:
As I am waiting for my van, I looked at the underside of a work van Transit 350 HR Ext. (To take note of where the rust is forming). There is no sway bar that would interfere with the Spicer cover. Is there any reason no one with an extended van has installed one of these differential covers?
Click to expand...
The van is a Transit 350 Hr Ext AWD NA 3.5.
 
41 - 60 of 70 Posts
About this Discussion
69 Replies
21 Participants
Last post:
Chillis
Ford Transit USA Forum
posts
499K
members
59K
Since
2012
A forum community dedicated to Ford Transit owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, storage capacity, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Camper Vans and Conversions Ford Transit General Discussion Dealers, Purchases and Orders Electronics, Audio, and Lighting Wheels, Tires, Brakes, and Suspension