tools for rear differential fluid change

[jrey09]

anyone know the size of the socket/piece that I need to drain my rear diff fluid and for the level plug?
2002 xlt 2wd 4.0 with 108K miles strong.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The plug is made for either an extension or directly attaching a breaker bar. It's a recessed square plug.

 

[buddychan]

I just did my rear differential and used the 3/8 ratchet for the fill plug. The drain plug size is huge and I didn't have a tool for it. Instead, I siphoned it out and filled it with Royal Purple. So far so good.......give it alot of time to siphon that stuff out.

 

[BUDSHAD]

The drain plug is a 3/4 ratchet. I just did mine. I found that the best way to get to it is to roll up in reverse onto ramps. This gives you a whole lot more room to work. You will also need a pump that adapts to a bottle of diff fluid. Kinda like a shampoo pump. I got mine at Pep Boys right next to the Royal Purple 75w140 fluid I used. Runs like a champ.

 

[02xlsexplorer]

i have a question i had my front and rear diff fluid changed about 2 months ago, and now i am getting a clicking noise, i took it to the shop and they kind of think the clicking is cause when i changed my fluid i didn't use an additive, could they be right or are they just guessing..... any help would be great, by the way the clicking is only at low speeds, just when i reach a full stop and when i release the break and the truck is rolling or very little gas

 

[trucku]

do you hear it if you jack the front wheels up off the ground and spin them by hand?
You don't need a friction modifier for the front, only the rear.

what weight fluid did you use in the front? Did you check your transfer case fluid level?

sure its not coming from a wheel (bearings)? when you have it up you should be able to tell.

 

[02xlsexplorer]

well i am not sure about the weight of the fluid that was used, i had it done where i get my oil changed, i haven't had it in the air and spun the tires yet, was not sure were i should look for the problem, so if i put it in the air and spin the tires by hand i should here it if it is in the front or the rear. How would i know if it is the wheel bearing if i have it in the air??