Changing the differential cover

[Mosey]

I went with these front and rear. Same as the Ford Performance ones for half the price.

Spicer 10023539 Differential Cover (Ford 9.75), 1 Pack https://a.co/d/ddRlehs

Intersting, Amazon claims it does not fit an F-150. I suspect they don’t know there are two possible diff sizes.

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[TexasTruck]

My truck has the 9.75 inch differential.

Lots of options for the 9”.

 

[Deleted member 15247]

Hi all, I do fair bit of towing and I am planning on changing my rear diff lube every 30K miles. I know what the manual says about change intervals, but I am changing it anyhow. The question I am wrestling with is if I should replace the cover with one that has a drain plug. I plan on using a Lub Locker gasket rather than RTV. I am currently leaning to reuse the factory cover, but having the convenience of a drain plug is awfully tempting.

I was looking at a G2 cover but they say it will not work on a powerboost. So, who has replaced their diff cover, at what cover did you settle on?

I installed the Ford Performance cover with the Lube Locker gasket. I like that it has the drain and fill holes not requiring the cover to be removed when servicing. But I have no idea if it gets all the crap out since there’s no filter for the diff. I’d imagine if you kept it changed regularly it wouldn’t be an issue.

 

[Mosey]

I installed the Ford Performance cover with the Lube Locker gasket. I like that it has the drain and fill holes not requiring the cover to be removed when servicing. But I have no idea if it gets all the crap out since there’s no filter for the diff. I’d imagine if you kept it changed regularly it wouldn’t be an issue.

I don’t know who much crap gets generated past the initial break-in period, but I think it will be a lot less. Giving the diff a good clean out initially is probably all that is needed.

 

[Deleted member 15247]

I don’t know who much crap gets generated past the initial break-in period, but I think it will be a lot less. Giving the diff a good clean out initially is probably all that is needed.

I tend to agree. I think about all vehicles and trucks I’ve owned and other people have driven into the ground over the years that never had the gear oil changed out. Ever. I tend to be one of those that over maintain my stuff. I’ll get a lot of shit for changing oil and filter every 3k, telling me I’m contributing to global warming and harming the environment. But, my truck was 80 grand and if I wanna change the oil at 10 mile intervals, I’ll do it.

 

[astrand1]

 

[Deleted member 15247]

Yep. That be the one I have.

 

[Mosey]

I tend to agree. I think about all vehicles and trucks I’ve owned and other people have driven into the ground over the years that never had the gear oil changed out. Ever. I tend to be one of those that over maintain my stuff. I’ll get a lot of shit for changing oil and filter every 3k, telling me I’m contributing to global warming and harming the environment. But, my truck was 80 grand and if I wanna change the oil at 10 mile intervals, I’ll do it.

You won’t here that from me.

 

[Mosey]

Yep. That be the one I have.

Dang, the Ford cover looks sweet.

 

[Deleted member 15247]

Dang, the Ford cover looks sweet.

FYI that Ford diff cover is crazy stupid expensive. However, there’s one exactly like it ( I believe it’s the same damn cover) with a different brand on on it for like half the price but the name escapes me. Someone probably can chime in here and post the name. If not, if you YouTube those rear diff covers for the F-150 Raptor, there’s a guy that shows the install AND gives the name of the less expensive cover. Pretty sure they’re the same one. I’d still use the Lubelocker gasket tho

 

[Mosey]

FYI that Ford diff cover is crazy stupid expensive. However, there’s one exactly like it ( I believe it’s the same damn cover) with a different brand on on it for like half the price but the name escapes me. Someone probably can chime in here and post the name. If not, if you YouTube those rear diff covers for the F-150 Raptor, there’s a guy that shows the install AND gives the name of the less expensive cover. Pretty sure they’re the same one. I’d still use the Lubelocker gasket tho

Dana Spicer I believe. I had planned on reusing the factory cover, but the bling factor is creeping in. I really like the looks of the Yukon cover but I don’t know if it fits.

 

[Sneezy]

If you have a Super 8-12 bolt, like me, I'm having a difficult time even finding a regular old gasket let alone a reusable gasket like Lub Locker.

If anyone has a source, please share. Thanks.

Same here, I see ones that say they are mustang/ranger compatible but for the F150 it’s hard to find. I’d also like to find one with an easy drain/fill plug for the super 8

 

[Mosey]

Same here, I see ones that say they are mustang/ranger compatible but for the F150 it’s hard to find. I’d also like to find one with an easy drain/fill plug for the super 8

Check out Yukon. I know they have super 8 covers.

 

[ReverendQ]

I changed to the Dana Spicer Ford Performance Raptor differential cover and added a Sight Glass to it. There is an excellent video shown at Ford Performance Diff Cover Installation for Ford 9.75 axle but here are a few tips and some pictures for anybody wanting to do the same.

Make sure you can release the fill plug before starting. I used the stock fill plug but depending on your lift/level you may need to use the one on the cover. Clean it once you have it loose and don't forget to apply thread sealant when reinstalling it to 22 foot#.

Take the spare out for more working room.

Have four quarts of Motorcraft XY-75W85-QL for the refill. As to why OEM, consider and your warranty situation. You will need up to 4 quarts depending on your lift/level. I have a ReadyLift level on FX4 PB and RAS, the differential took just over 3 full quarts using the fill-port on the differential. I did not use or recommend friction modifier.

Spicer p/n 10023539 is much cheaper than the FP version p/n 9.75" F-150 RAPTOR DIFFERENTIAL COVER| Part Details for M-4033-F975 | Ford Performance Parts made by Spicer. But I understand the vanity of using "Ford Performance." The upper fill port on the cover is for lifted trucks.

Both come with a gasket but consider the LubeLocker 9.75" gasket as recommended in the video. Others swear by RTV-yes I am talking to you @HammaMan.

Reuse the Ford bolts and torque them to 33 foot#. Several people have posted they snapped the Spicer supplied bolts, but somewhere it was recommended by Spicer to use much less torque, about 10 foot# less. This may be why. Anyway, video stated 30-35 Foot# and 33 seemed to snug the LubeLocker gasket well as did start to squeal a bit when being torqued down.

A drop of blue thread locker was used on the bolts but Permatex thread sealant p/n 59214 on the plugs and sight glass. The plugs and sight glass were torqued to 22 foot# as recommended in the video.

The optional sight glass Compressor Oil Sight Glass 1/2 NPT Male Hex Head Stainless Steel Oil Sight Glass Liquid Level Gauge Oil Indicator Window For Air Compressor Gearbox Hydraulic Tank Sight Glass (1/2'' NPT Male) - Amazon.com is the same 1/2 NPT Male shown at @FaaWrenchBndr post What did you do TO your F-150 today? ??‍ | Page 452 | F150gen14 -- 2021+ Ford F-150, Tremor, Raptor Forum (14th Gen) | News, Owners, Community, Discussions . The site glass ball may appear differently for you than what is shown here or at the link depending on your lift/level and fill. I used it on the lower cover port due to my pinion angle.

Consider after first re-filling to drive the truck in 2H, and bit of 4H and some 4L with/without locker to get air bumbles that may have occurred upon first fill and then refill some more.

Notice there is no nut on what is to be the first part removed to get to the cover removal. (I thought I had lost mine).

Note the position of the pin-bolts and how they are assembled with the attached lines. There is one at 5, 1 and 10. You will need a deep well socket.

Loosen all bolts and then remove them in the reverse order shown in the picture attached. Start at 12 and work down to 1. You will tighten and torque by going up in number 1 first through 12 last. Snug first, then torque to specification.

Inspect the gears for any issues while the cover is off. If all goes well, you may never see them again. Look for shiny bits in the fluid. Consider sending a sample of the fluid to a lab, I used WearCheck.

Cover the gears with a shop rag and remove all rust, gasket, sealer etc. from the differential. I used a wire brush taking care to be sure that spinning away from the differential, then sandpaper, and finally brake cleaner. Make it shine pretty for the gasket surface then remove the shop rag carefully as to prevent anything releasing from it and on to the gears. Use a different rag to clean up any dirt you see in the housing or on the gears.

The plastic cable stand-off that goes on to pin-bolt at 10 will need trimmed to be reused. And even then, may go back on a bit wonky. See the pictures of how I got mine back on.

Good luck!

 

[CharlieSD]

I did mine today 2023 F150 Powerboost Platinum.

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