Complete rear differential fluid drain and refill service for the 2011-2014 Ford F-150 4WD with 5.0L Coyote V8, including inspection of differential condition.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Differential drain plug washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Differential fill plug washer × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

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

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. If differential is hot from recent driving, allow at least 30 minutes cooling time
3. Raise rear of vehicle using floor jack at designated rear jacking points
4. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed at rear axle or frame contact points
5. Ensure vehicle is level from side to side for accurate fill level
6. Locate rear differential - centered between rear wheels underneath vehicle
7. Clean area around drain plug and fill plug with wire brush and brake cleaner to prevent contamination

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove fill plug first
   Using appropriate socket, loosen and remove the fill plug from the side of the differential housing. This is critical to do BEFORE draining - if the fill plug is seized and cannot be removed, you need to know before draining the old fluid. Inspect the fill plug washer for damage.
   Torque spec

   Fill Plug51 Nm (38 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Drain differential fluid
   Position drain pan under differential drain plug at bottom of housing. Using appropriate socket, loosen drain plug slowly. Once loose, quickly remove plug by hand and allow fluid to drain completely. This may take 5-10 minutes. Inspect drained fluid for metal shavings or debris - small amount of fine particles is normal, but large pieces or excessive material indicates wear issues.
   ⚠Fluid may drain with force initially. Keep hands clear of drain stream.
   Torque spec

   Drain Plug51 Nm (38 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Inspect and clean drain plug
   Once fluid has completely drained, inspect the magnetic drain plug for metal particles. Small amount of fine metallic paste is normal wear material. Clean plug thoroughly with shop rag. Inspect drain plug threads for damage. Install new crush washer on drain plug.
4. 4

   Reinstall drain plug
   Thread drain plug with new washer into differential housing by hand to ensure proper thread engagement. Tighten drain plug to specified torque using torque wrench. Do not overtighten as this can damage aluminum housing threads.
   Torque spec

   Drain Plug51 Nm (38 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Prepare fill plug with new washer
   Install new washer on fill plug. Have fill plug ready for installation immediately after filling is complete. Clean fill plug threads if necessary.
6. 6

   Refill differential with gear oil
   Using fluid transfer pump or squeeze bottle, add Motorcraft 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Oil through fill hole. Fill until fluid begins to drip from fill hole opening - this indicates proper level. The differential requires approximately 2.0 quarts. Fill slowly to allow air to escape and prevent overflow.
   ℹ️Vehicle must be level during fill. Fluid level is correct when it reaches bottom of fill plug hole and begins to seep out.
7. 7

   Install fill plug
   Once fluid reaches proper level and begins dripping from fill hole, quickly thread fill plug with new washer into housing by hand. Wipe away any spilled fluid. Tighten fill plug to specified torque using torque wrench.
   Torque spec

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

   Clean and inspect for leaks
   Wipe down entire differential housing with shop rags to remove any spilled gear oil. Inspect around both drain plug and fill plug for signs of leakage. Check that both plugs are properly torqued and seated.
9. 9

   Lower vehicle and test
   Carefully lower vehicle from jack stands using floor jack. Remove jack stands and lower vehicle completely to ground. Start engine and allow to idle briefly, then take vehicle for short test drive (5-10 minutes) to circulate new fluid and verify proper operation.

Reassembly

1. No disassembly was required for this service procedure

Verification

• Verify no fluid leaks from drain plug or fill plug after test drive - recheck both plugs
• Check ground under vehicle for any drips after vehicle has sat for several hours
• Confirm smooth rear axle operation with no unusual noises during test drive
• Record mileage and date of service for maintenance records - differential service typically recommended every 30,000-50,000 miles or per severe duty schedule

More procedures for this vehicle