Very Simple Question - How do I fill the Rear End

[ldmills]

I have a problem I've seen described in other areas on this site, but it doesn't answer a simple question:

The rear end of my 1996 Explorer is whining LOUDLY. It starts at about 10-15 MPH, and gets annoyingly loud at 35, and doesn't stop at any speed (well, I've only had it up to 75 so far).

The guy I bought it from said it has a locker rear end..."with clutches" so it won't hop going around turns. When I picked the truck up and got onto the freeway I was afraid to drive it home for the noise. When I got home I looked at the rear pumpgin to see if I saw any evidence of it leaking dry, and I see no inspection/fill plug. Where do I fill the rear end? How can I check it to see if it's low/dry?

I've had lockers on two other trucks, and have never heard anything like this (except on a 1964 International School Bus with a quarter million miles on it). Where do I go from here?

Larry

 

[unclemeat]

There should be a fill plug on the cover, if it is stock. It is a square nut that the bare end of a 3/8" rachet drive should fix. I would look for evidence of leaking around the pinion seal, and the axle tubes, near the tires.

You can always add fluid through the breather tube, on top of the driver side axle tube, but you need to know if it is already full.

I would pull the differential cover and see what you got.

 

[kert0307]

my 2000 has it on the drovers side front top of the diff. It's right above the fin thing. It might be covered with dirt, so you can't see it.

If it is sounding that bad though, I'd take the cover off of the back and inspect it. If it has clutches in it, it is probably a limited slip, and not an actual locker too, so when you put fluid in make sure to use friction modifier addiditive.

 

[JoeMahma]

Don't forget to make sure you get that fill plug out before you remove the diff. cover. You need to be able to get lube back in there after you put the cover back on.

 

[ldmills]

I spent some time under there last night, and I could not find a plug on the back of the diff cover. It is a 10-bolt. There is a breather tube on top of the axle tube, and it is lashed to the floor above the pumpkin. Is there where I would fill it? On my Jeep I filled it in the inspection plug.

 

[ricaandjohn]

I spent some time under there last night, and I could not find a plug on the back of the diff cover. It is a 10-bolt. There is a breather tube on top of the axle tube, and it is lashed to the floor above the pumpkin. Is there where I would fill it? On my Jeep I filled it in the inspection plug.

Go around towards the side of the differencial where the driveline attaches to it. Over the top is the fill plug. PITA! But if you have any more trouble, buy a Haynes book and they show you a pic of where its at. Hope this helps.

 

[Blee1099]

There should be a fill plug. Definately drain it first and inspect the gears since they were making noise. If you have the stock limited slip don't forget to add the friction modifier to your gear oil otherwise you'll burn those clutches up.

 

[manaen]

yeah it's on the driveshaft side of the pumpkin towards the drivers side just above where the axle comes into the pumpkin it has a 3/8" square hole to insert a ratch extension.

 

[gijoecam]

Driver's side FRONT of the pumpkin. Jack it up by the frame, lay down in front of the driver's side rear wheel. It's right there. It takes a 3/8" square drive ratchet extension. You will want to soak it thoroughly with Penetrating Oil and may need to use some heat-wrench (i.e. gentle heating with a propane torch) to get the thread locking compound to release.

-Joe

 

[d4rizob]

If its whining, sounds like it might be dry. It might be too late to add fluid. I would pull pan and check it and the fill is on the drivers side front of diff.

 

[gijoecam]

Indeed, if it's already whining, it's likely too late. My money's on either a pinion bearing or a u-joint biting it. No way to know via the 'net though...