Complete how-to with pictures (and links to larger ones) on my site.

Steps:
1. Jack up the vehicle, or place it on ramps. The more you can get the car level, front-to-back, the better it is for draining the old fluid and gauging how much new fluid you have. I personally placed the vehicle on four jack stands, two front and two back.

2. Loosen the fill bolt on the passenger side top section of the differential.

3. With a catch container below the differential, loosen the drain bolt and remove. Drain all fluid.

4. As the fluid drains, clean both bolts. The drain bolt has a magnetic tip and you will likely see a lot of gunk/metal flakes stuck to it. Attach new washers as needed (recommended, per the FSM).

5. When the differential is completely drained, re-attach the drain bolt and torque down to 26 ft/lbs.

6. With your method of fluid transfer ready to go, start pumping new fluid into the differential through the fill bolt. We use a fluid pump here, about $10 from your local hardware store. If you get it from Sears, as i have, it’s in the Outdoor/Lawn Mower section. An entire bottle can be transferred in just a few easy pumps. A tip on the pump, the hoses that come with this is rather stiff, it may be worth your while to temporarily zip-tie or tape it near the fill-hole so it doesn’t move or accidentally come off while you’re pumping.

7. As the differential fills-up, you’ll notice some fluid will start overflowing and trickling down. This is a sign you are done. Remove the pump/tubes and let it continue to trickle.

8. Once it stops, attach the fill bolt and tighten to 26 ft/lbs.

9. You are done

Nasty stuff! This fluid only has 30k miles on it.

 

thanks for the write up. I was thinking about switching to synthetic in my diff. what fluid did you use? how many quarts did it take?

 

I believe he said he got M1 synthetic 75w90. i used valvoline synblend 80w90. Just get two 1qt bottles, the diff will take a little less than 2qts.

 

^ what he said

On our model year FSM, 80w90 is recommended. But later years have 75w90 spec'd out, so i figured any of the two would be fine and went with what was readily available at our local Autozone.

 

^ good to know, should give me more choices next time around with that weight oil

 

Is that and X..S..?


I bet the X and all the other have the exact same rear..but does anyone have pictures of the front diff?

 

thats non X but same as X rear, front diff service is exact same steps but in front, if you can do this then its the same but maybe a little cramped for room.

 

Thats what i hear..cramped for room..i may have my local mechanic just do them both..he will only charge me like $40..every time i try a project on my car it takes me hours and hours

 

Which pump did you use?

 

^ Looks exactly like this -- http://www.harborfreight.com/multi-u...ump-66418.html

It's a bit cumbersome to use as the tubes are fairly stiff, but it works.

 

nevermind

 

I hope I dont sound like a dumbass, but where exactly is thie rear differential located? I cant really tell from the pictures.

 

Right between the two rear wheels..you can miss it..large hung on metal

If you have an X the front is a bit more hidden

 

It's also referred to as the "pumpkin"

 

Thanks!