Few problems/new member and all that stuff

[94explorer_]

ok so here i am, 1994 explorer xlt with 290 000 km's. first off 4x4, with hubs locked but not in 4x4=bad grinding noise from the front diff. in 4x4 just makes it worse, i would imagine all the gears are shot then? i reached in with my finger through the filler hole and there was hardly any oil in the front diff. now the rear diff, i have it all apart and now i am going to put it back together with new oil and all that but i cant seem to find a filler hole, so once the cap is back on where would i go about putting in more gear oil?

thanks,
C

 

[manaen]

first off, Welcome to the forum!!

Ok the filler hole on the rear differential is located on the front top driver side of the differential. It can be hard to see because there is a structural rib that stick out and it is right on top of that so you need to get your head up a little higher with a light to see it. You need to use a 3/8" socket to remove the plug. Oh if you have a limited slip rear end make sure you use the additive for limited slip so the clutches don't burn up.

The grinding could be your hubs and not your front differential, did you look into the fill hole to see if there are any signs of unusual wear? I would start by pulling off the wheels and replacing the auto hubs with some warn manual hubs, make sure your front diff is full, and retest everything. You will like the manual hubs much better than those junky auto unlocking hubs.

 

[94explorer_]

oh right i forgot to mention i have warn manual locking hubs that i took fully apart on the weekend and regreased, also i repacked my front bearings. thanks so much for the filler hole, what is this additive i need and how much of it do i need? how full should i fill it? also would it be better to put the silicone on the cap or the diff itself? (all shined up ready for silicone)

i had the front end up on stands and locked the hubs(not in 4by) and spun one wheel, now when i do this the other wheel should spin the opposite way all the time right? because it didnt. i didnt feel any big shards in the oil (it felt more like grease)

 

[Tbars4]

...welcome here...

 

[manaen]

You fill the rear diff up to the the filler hole, I would use full synthetic for everything. There is a small bottle of additive for limited slip rear ends if you don't have limited slip you don't need to worry about it.

Even if the front is jacked up the other front tire may not spin in reverse if the front drive shaft is spinning freely. However if the vehicle is in park, the t-case is locked in 4x4 then the the other wheel should be spinning the opposite direction. You can also have someone hold the front shaft from spinning while you try it.

 

[manousos]

Welcome! where about in Kelowna are you?

 

[94explorer_]

hey nice to see im not alone in here, im in the lower mission, i'm 16 so you wont see me around yet. howbout you?

 

[manousos]

Across town, Rutland.

 

[Exploderpilot]

Welcome to the site good luck with your ex!

 

[94explorer_]

updates, rear diff is full and working well,(not a limited slip) the front i wish i could say the same about but thats another project for another day. thanks for all your help

C