This procedure covers draining and refilling the rear differential fluid on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 5.0L V8 4WD to maintain proper lubrication and extend differential lifespan.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Motorcraft 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Oil — 2 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
3. Allow differential to cool completely if vehicle was recently driven
4. Raise rear of vehicle using floor jack at rear differential pumpkin
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed under frame rails
6. Ensure adequate clearance to work underneath rear axle

Procedure

1. 1

   Locate drain and fill plugs
   Position yourself under the rear differential. Identify the drain plug on the bottom of the differential housing and the fill plug on the passenger side of the differential housing. The fill plug is higher up on the side. Clean around both plugs with a wire brush to prevent contamination.
2. 2

   Remove fill plug first
   Using a 13mm socket and ratchet, loosen and remove the fill plug from the passenger side of the differential housing. This ensures you can refill the differential after draining. If the fill plug cannot be removed, do not proceed with draining.
   ⚠Always remove the fill plug before the drain plug to ensure you can refill the differential. If the fill plug is seized, the differential cannot be serviced.
3. 3

   Drain differential fluid
   Position drain pan directly under the drain plug at the bottom of the differential housing. Using a 10mm socket and ratchet, slowly loosen the drain plug. Remove the drain plug by hand once loose and allow fluid to drain completely. This may take 5-10 minutes. Remove and discard the old crush washer from the drain plug.
4. 4

   Inspect drained fluid
   Examine the drained fluid for metal particles, debris, or unusual discoloration. Small amounts of fine metallic particles are normal, but large chunks or excessive metal content may indicate differential wear requiring further inspection.
5. 5

   Clean and reinstall drain plug
   Clean the drain plug threads and sealing surface with a shop rag. Install a new crush washer onto the drain plug. Thread the drain plug into the differential housing by hand to prevent cross-threading, then tighten to specification using a torque wrench.
   Torque spec

   Drain Plug51 Nm (38 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Refill differential with new fluid
   Using a fluid transfer pump or squeeze bottle, insert the nozzle into the fill plug hole. Slowly add Motorcraft 75W-140 synthetic gear oil until fluid begins to seep out of the fill hole. The differential is full when fluid reaches the bottom of the fill plug threads. This should require approximately 2.0 quarts.
   ⚠Use only Motorcraft 75W-140 synthetic gear oil. Do not substitute with 75W-90 or other viscosity grades.
7. 7

   Reinstall fill plug
   Clean the fill plug threads and wipe away any excess fluid from the differential housing. Thread the fill plug in by hand, then tighten to specification using a torque wrench and 13mm socket.
   Torque spec

   Fill Plug51 Nm (38 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Lower vehicle and verify
   Remove jack stands and carefully lower the vehicle to the ground. Wipe down the drain and fill plug areas with a clean rag. Start the engine and let it idle for 30 seconds, then shift through all gears while stationary with the brake applied.

Reassembly

1. Ensure both drain and fill plugs are tightened to proper torque specifications
2. Verify no fluid leaks are present around drain or fill plug locations
3. Dispose of used differential fluid properly at a recycling center or auto parts store

Verification

• Check for fluid leaks around drain and fill plugs immediately after lowering vehicle
• Test drive vehicle for 5-10 minutes, then recheck for leaks with vehicle on level ground
• Listen for unusual noises from rear differential during test drive, which should operate quietly
• After 50-100 miles of driving, perform a final visual inspection for any seepage around plugs

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