Torque spec for front differential cover needed?

Tiny
SURGEIMPULSE
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 154,000 MILES
After I changed the fluid out last year by pumping the fluid out through the fill hole, the fluid still looks pretty nasty, and I'd like to fully drain it by taking the cover off. However, I can't seem to find torque specs for the cover bolts anywhere for the front differential. I even looked through a Haynes manual I have laying around and it only covers the specs for the rear. I am just wondering what the torque specs are for the front.
Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 AT 1:58 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
SURGEIMPULSE
  • MEMBER
  • 67 POSTS
On a side note, my passenger side axle seal keeps leaking, I'm on the second new one. I installed them correctly and the first one started leaking once I put a new cv axle in, second one leaks with the same axle. I did get an axle that was on the cheap side, could that be the problem? It is not leaking bad thankfully, so I'll probably just check the fluid level every now and then.
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Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 AT 5:40 AM
Tiny
BRENDON S
  • MECHANIC
  • 653 POSTS
Good morning, SURGEIMPULSE,

I found 21 ft lbs. In my information for the front diff cover.

If you keep leaking fluid from the axle seals, it is possible the new axles do not meet the spec to fit the seal properly. They are also really easy to mess up putting a new axle in.

I would get the axle seals from Ford personally. The leak may be due to the fluid heating up and the axle vent being clogged. All it takes is a spider to crawl in there and the pressure caused by the axle fluid heating up and expanding can't escape. So, the only other place it has to go is out through the axle seals.

Nissan has an issue with this they use a different type of vent. Instead of a hose they use a cap type looking thing. (That's the technical term). Anyways what happens is it gets clogged with dirt and blows the axle seals out of it.

So, I would check the axle vent, put a new hose on it and make sure the nipple it slides onto isn't clogged so that the axle can vent properly.

Hope this helps.

Thank you,
Brendon
2CarPros
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Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 AT 7:43 AM
Tiny
SURGEIMPULSE
  • MEMBER
  • 67 POSTS
Hose does not seem to be clogged. I do think the new CV axle just isn't good enough to make a perfect seal, as I had no problems with leaks on the first seal I put in until I got a new CV. Second seal I put in to fix it leaks the same amount. Thankfully it is a very small leak. At this point I'll probably just live with it and top it off when needed since the axle is out of warranty now and I really don't want to do it a third time, haha. Thanks for the help!
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Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 AT 8:23 AM
Tiny
BRENDON S
  • MECHANIC
  • 653 POSTS
Hello SURGEIMPULSE,

Okay. Sounds good! If you need anything else, please feel free to let us know. We are all happy to help!

Thank you,
Brendon
2CarPros
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Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 AT 9:19 AM

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