changing differential oil

[Lincolnmania]

i like to use a gasket when possible, but silicone works just as well

[Blaze86Vic]

I went completely around each bolt whole, just for good measure, though running on just the inside or the outside I don't think would cause an issue.

[monterey1962]

I actually prefer the OEM black silicone, but blue works.

Remember, you want a thin bead of silicone (about 1/8") let it partly cure, usually about 20-25 mins before you put the cover back on.

I take it that the easiest way is to apply the silicone to the differential, not the cover.

How do I seal around the bolt holes? Any certain way or just go completely around 'em?

[gadget73]

Sil-Glyde lube? That sounds like something better suited to a more intimate environment than this.

[DuceAnAHalf]

1 grunt on the grunt-O-meter

:lol: Great scale!

German specs can also apply. Gut en Tight

[88grandmarq]

I actually prefer the OEM black silicone, but blue works.

Remember, you want a thin bead of silicone (about 1/8") let it partly cure, usually about 20-25 mins before you put the cover back on.

[monterey1962]

Thanks for the info, guys. I really appreciate it.

Ran down to CarQuest and picked up 2 qts. of 80w-90 and a tube of blue RTV silicone (boy, does that bring back memories . . . . :drug: ). Also grabbed a tube of Sil-Glyde lube. Gonna try it on the vertical window tracks so those big windows move a little easier.

[Blaze86Vic]

1 grunt on the grunt-O-meter

:lol: Great scale!

[88grandmarq]

Ford has been using Silicone to seal the diff covers since the mid 80's. If it's good enough for the factory, its good enough for me.

the bolts should be snug.... 1 grunt on the grunt-O-meter

[Blaze86Vic]

You can find an actual gasket, but it's not worth the cost.

I put a nice thick bead os silicone aroud it then I put the cover one, and bolted it down to about 1/16th of an inch from the surface. Then I let the silicone firm up for about 5-10 minutes. Then I tighten it all the way down. I then left the fill plug off and let the silicone harden for a good while. The only reason I let it harden is because when I drained my rear and the new 05 Mustang rear the excess silicone had disolved in the oil. I'm sure it has no effect what so ever, but for some reason it bothered me enough to try and prevent it.

[monterey1962]

Silicone? Is there an actual gasket for the rear end? How tight should the bolts be?

Btw, been to CoolCats.

[88grandmarq]

jack up the car, support with jack stands. remove the diff cover bolts and drain the gear oil in a catch pan. clean the cover and axle housing then apply a thin coat of silicone, re-install cover. remove the fill plug on the front side of the carrier (uses 3/8" square drive) fill with 80W-90 gear oil, you may want to consider a 75W-90 semi-sythetic or full synthetic because of the cold climate you are in. Buy a pump that screws into the top of the bottel and has hose on it, then pump the bottle into the fill hole.
I usually just fill it up untill oil comes out the fill hole.

[Blaze86Vic]

NO APOLIGIZING!!!

[Lincolnmania]

yea def check out coolcats.......that dude is cool got the idea for the ho swap there when i asked him about it in a townie he sent me to the other site

sorry blaze thought i was correct.......i got alot of yrs on you mang......i was the idiot working at the lm dealer when this stuff was new......and you guys know i dont miss a thing, used to ask all sorts of questions about the new cars.......almost bought a leftover 88 cougar ls........somehow ended up with that same car in 1998 for 200 bucks.......hows that for luck guys?
scott

[Ifixyawata]

Oh, one other thing... monterey, did you make it over to Coolcats.net (THE resource for Fox T-birds and Cougars). Or did you get the www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com (currently it's down, hopefully only for a short while.)