Pulling Out The Oil Pan With Differential Intact

Changing the oil in your differential is an important step in keeping your vehicle in good condition, especially if you regularly tow things with your truck or RV. The differential is the big compartment on the rear axle of your vehicle, which houses all the parts that transfer power to your back wheels. The oil in the differential keeps all the parts well lubricated, and it needs to be changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, or every 15,000 miles if you push your vehicle hard. The process of changing the oil is straightforward and only requires common hand tools and a container to catch the old fluid.

Jack up the car and use jack stands for support

Jacking up your car and using jack stands is a crucial step in performing DIY car repairs safely. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Park and Secure the Car

Park your car on level ground, preferably on a clean, paved surface. If you must park on an incline, stay close to the curb and turn the wheels inward. Use wheel wedges, wood blocks, or bricks to block the downside wheels and prevent accidental rolling. Engage the parking brake and, for manual transmissions, put the car in first gear.

Place the Jack and Raise the Car

Position a hydraulic jack or a scissor jack under the car frame, following the manufacturer's recommendations for jack placement. If you only need to lift one wheel, lift that corner of the vehicle. For lifting the front or rear of the car, choose a jack point at the center of the suspension or frame. Ensure the jack has adequate weight capacity for your vehicle.

Place the Jack Stands

Place the jack stands near the jack, under the car frame at reinforced points or "pinch welds." Adjust the height of the jack stands to match the vehicle's pinch points. Use the locking pins or screws to secure the stands in place according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Lower the Car onto the Jack Stands

Once the jack stands are in position, slowly lower the car until it rests securely on the stands. Remove the jack and gently push the vehicle to ensure it is stable and securely held by the jack stands.

Optional: Use a Set of Ramps

As an alternative to jack stands, you can use car ramps to raise your vehicle. Drive forward or backward onto the ramps to lift one end of the car. While wheel ramps are safer and easier to use, they may be more costly and are not suitable when you need to change a tire.

Place a container under the differential to catch the fluid

To catch the fluid, place a sealable container beneath the differential. The container should be directly under the drain bolt so that the fluid pours into it once the bolt is removed.

Used differential fluid must be taken to a certified recycling location. Do not mix old differential fluid with oil or gasoline.

Make sure the container is positioned properly and does not overflow as the fluid drains out. Allow the differential to drain until there is only a slow drip of fluid remaining.

Remove the drain bolt with a hand or socket wrench

To remove the drain bolt with a hand or socket wrench, you will need to first ensure you have the right tools for the job. The correct size of the wrench is important to avoid stripping or damaging the head of the bolt. You will also need a container to catch the old differential fluid as it drains. Place this container under the differential before you begin.

With your tools and container ready, use the wrench to turn the drain bolt counter-clockwise to loosen it. Once the bolt is hand-loose, continue to unscrew it with your hand, applying inward pressure to prevent any leakage. When the bolt is completely unthreaded, carefully pull the plug away and allow the fluid to drain out.

It is important to note that you should always allow the vehicle to cool before attempting to remove the drain bolt. The oil can become extremely hot and cause serious injury if it comes into contact with your skin. Additionally, make sure to wear gloves to avoid getting old differential fluid on your hands.

By following these steps, you can safely and effectively remove the drain bolt with a hand or socket wrench when pulling an oil pan with the differential.

Replace the drain bolt and remove the differential fill bolt

When replacing the drain bolt and removing the differential fill bolt, there are a few methods you can try. Firstly, it is recommended to always remove the fill plug first. This is because, if you are unable to remove the fill plug, you will be left with a vehicle that you cannot drive. If the fill bolt is stuck, you can try to drive your Jeep on the highway to heat up the rear end, which will make it easier to remove the bolt. However, this is not always effective, and you may need to use a hammer to loosen it. It is important to wear safety glasses if attempting this method.

If the bolt is still stuck, you can try using a pipe plug driver attached to a breaker bar, which will allow you to apply even pressure until the bolt comes free. Another method is to use a cold chisel and a ball-peen hammer to tap the outer edge of the bolt. This creates a shock that helps to crack the sticktion. You can also try using an impact gun or impact wrench, but be sure to use a 6-point impact socket to ensure a solid connection. Additionally, you can try soaking the bolt in penetrating oil or PB Blaster and letting it sit for a while before attempting to remove it again.

If the above methods do not work, you may need to get creative. One solution is to drill a hole in a conical rubber plug that fits snugly into the drain plug and insert a clear hose through it to fill the differential via the drain plug. This method takes time but can be effective. Another option is to weld a nut onto the fill plug, although this may not always work and can be dangerous.

Use a hand pump to fill the differential with new fluid

To fill the differential with new fluid, you can use a hand pump. This is a cheap and mess-free method to change the oil in your differential.

First, ensure you have the right supplies. You will need a hand pump, a clean oil pan, and new oil. Place the oil pan underneath the differential to catch any spills.

Next, open the fill plug on the differential and clean it and the surrounding area. Screw the fill plug back in slightly to protect the differential from contamination while you work.

Now, you can attach the hand pump to your new oil container. Most hand pumps will have a dual-size cap that fits both quart bottles and gallon jugs. Simply screw the pump onto the top of your oil container, and you're ready to start pumping.

Feed the tube of the hand pump into the fill hole of the differential and begin pumping the top of the bottle. Continue pumping until the differential is filled with new oil. This may take a lot of pumps, depending on the size of your differential.

Once the differential is filled, screw the fill plug back into place, and you're done! Remember to clean your pump after use and store it in a clean, dry place to keep it in good condition.

Frequently asked questions