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Ford Explorer Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
Jack up truck. Take off the driver tire. Look thru the left side, there is a square drive plug on the differential (use the square 3/8") end. May be a bit hard to see. Check the fluid level. Also see if there is liquid on the front diff body. It is a common leak spot. Gear oil smell is hard to not to recognize. I have a small leak, I just add a bit of fluid every oil change.
Jack up truck. Take off the driver tire. Look thru the left side, there is a square drive plug on the differential (use the square 3/8") end. May be a bit hard to see. Check the fluid level. Also see if there is liquid on the front diff body. It is a common leak spot. Gear oil smell is hard to not to recognize. I have a small leak, I just add a bit of fluid every oil change.
Thanks. Oh so it's in the wheel well pretty much. I don't know what a differential looks like, never seen one before. Would this be below the driver side valve cover and PS pump?
Do you have 4WD, because the 2WD won't have a front diff. It'll look similar to this; my 98 302 without the diff, which mounts behind the front frame cross member. The V6 has a different shaped exhaust pipe, so don't expect yours to match this one. The control arms are out also, those visible bolts holes are for them.
It’s a pumpkin sized object wirh a driveshaft coming out the back. It’s biased slightly to the left of the vehicle, behind the engine cradle, underneath the front of the oil pan. You can’t miss it.
Do you have 4WD, because the 2WD won't have a front diff. It'll look similar to this; my 98 302 without the diff, which mounts behind the front frame cross member. The V6 has a different shaped exhaust pipe, so don't expect yours to match this one. The control arms are out also, those visible bolts holes are for them.
It’s a pumpkin sized object wirh a driveshaft coming out the back. It’s biased slightly to the left of the vehicle, behind the engine cradle, underneath the front of the oil pan. You can’t miss it.
No dipstick. You’ll see a small threaded plug that has a square to accept a 3/8” ratchet or extension. Remove the plug and add fluid until it is at to slightly below the bottom of the hole. Reinstall plug.
The ***** of the job is getting the fluid in. I slip a couple feet of rubber hose over the tip on the bottle and gently squeeze to force oil into the diff. Go slow if the level is close to full (check with your finger first). Once it starts running out the hole, put the plug back in.
It’s a pumpkin sized object wirh a driveshaft coming out the back. It’s biased slightly to the left of the vehicle, behind the engine cradle, underneath the front of the oil pan. You can’t miss it.
Is this accessible without taking the wheel off? Can I get to it from under? It sounds familiar, believe I saw it when I had the ball joints and front shocks done.
If you have 4WD it will have front axles, visible going into the backside of each wheel. It sounds like yours is 2WD, which would leave those areas void of the parts(axles and front diff).
Notice the front axle below of my 98 truck, new and old on the right side;
If you have 4WD it will have front axles, visible going into the backside of each wheel. It sounds like yours is 2WD, which would leave those areas void of the parts(axles and front diff).
Notice the front axle below of my 98 truck, new and old on the right side;
I don't have ramps but I could easily pick up a set. I would need chalks for the rear wheels too I'm guessing. What height of ramps would you suggest I get?
I don't have ramps but I could easily pick up a set. I would need chalks for the rear wheels too I'm guessing. What height of ramps would you suggest I get?
Lets know if you have a leak first ( I don't know if you checked already).
You don't need stands for this. You can just look under the truck.
Find the front driveshaft (on driver side)
Follow it to the front, then you will see the diff.
See if it has any fluids on it.
Lets know if you have a leak first ( I don't know if you checked already).
You don't need stands for this. You can just look under the truck.
Find the front driveshaft (on driver side)
Follow it to the front, then you will see the diff.
See if it has any fluids on it.
Oh no. But the timing cover sits lower than the driver side valve cover gasket. How can it blow right back and upwards to the side of the gasket?
What's inside the timing cover? Oil or coolant? I know for sure I'm not losing coolant, the rad level has stayed at the neck ever since I put 1.75 bottles of K seal in.
