Checking Rear Diff. Fluid

[Down2Ride]

I can see oily stain on exhaust where the diff. fluid is being spun.(where drive shaft joins to rear diff) I took a quick look and am not sure where to check if the diff is full. How do you check the level? Is the vent line connected to the axel where the break line Ts off? What diff fluid to use? Mainly, I want to make sure the rear diff is full. Any help appreciated.

[08pwrstrokr6.4]

if you look from the back of the truck forward at your diff. there should be a plug about halfway up the aft cap maybe a lil more than halfway.take it off and stick your pinkie in there,if you get fluid you are good if not you need to add some.your manual will tell you what kind but its probably 70w95 or somewhere there about.the vent line should be a rubber hose coming off the top of the diff.it may or may not go to the brake line t on our trucks.but it sounds like you may have a pinion gear seal leak

[Down2Ride]

Didn't see a vent line from the top of the diff. Is it possible it is missing? I see the plug, but don't have the tool to remove it. Can anyone tell me what I need to remove the plug to check the fluid level.

[08pwrstrokr6.4]

it could be possible i suppose that its missing,should be at least a nipple fitting up there for the hose to slide over.that plug should be like a standard sized wrench size like 3/4 5/8 maybe smaller.or it is possible for it to be a 1/2 or 3/8 ratchet drive plug.if you go to auto zone or something of the sorts they should have a tool you can borrow long enough to get the plug off and check the fluid.

[Down2Ride]

Headed to Autozone now...thanks for your help.

[08pwrstrokr6.4]

yea no problem man.i like helping.they can also tell you for sure what lube goes in her rear end

[HaysKSFirefighter]

It's a 3/8 if I remember correctly. I just used a ratchet with a swivel on it to get a better angle.

[HaysKSFirefighter]

Welcome to guzzle's Rear Differential Maintenance Web Page

Scroll about half way down and it shows the plug to fill/check the diff. Different truck but same concept.

Man yall are too quick for me...had the tread over before I even got my two posts in haha

[08pwrstrokr6.4]

you stalking me byron?

[HaysKSFirefighter]

Nope I always check the new posts and this was on the top of my screen...I prefer to stalk those with 2011s haha