Just changed the fluids in the differentials and transfer

having fun

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As usual, I did some search on suggestion on fluid type to buy. Thanks everyone. And of course used the suggestions for breaking loose the fill plugs first.

Only thing I noticed was, that no one suggest to leave the fill plug in while draining :doh:. What a mess it makes if you don't, shots out like a water hose with pressure:censored:.

Now I have to break the pressure washer out and blast the drive way.
 
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That flow is actually good and helps to get thick junk and shavings out. Drive in 4WD for several minutes to stir up crud before you change fluids is another usefull hint. It is hot and messy job but you won't have to do it for a while.
 
If you leave the fill plug in it will tend to "chug" which I found makes more a mess as it causes more splash (at least at work.)
 
As per BlackWorks, I take the fill plug out, as it comes out easily with the added airflow. I also will flush a little through (clean fluid) before sealing the drain, to help get more of that crud out.
 
At least you were able to get your front diff drain plug out. Mine very well might be welded on. I tried heat, torch, breaker bar and physical violence and it will not budge. Luckily I have an electric extractor to snake in there, suck out 1.5 qts and re-fill.
 
At least you were able to get your front diff drain plug out. Mine very well might be welded on. I tried heat, torch, breaker bar and physical violence and it will not budge. Luckily I have an electric extractor to snake in there, suck out 1.5 qts and re-fill.

If brute force doesn't work - you're not using enough of it.
 
I may try one more thing - hex head socket 3/8 ratchet and 1' breaker bar.

Try having a second set of hands hold a 6pt socket that fits nice and tight on the subject in question... then give it a good whack with a hammer. Continue that until results turn up, hitting it a bit harder each time.

I use a small steel handled hammer that I 'hook' onto the bar as I hit it, to prevent a glancing blow. Of course, a glancing blow may turn the wrench sideways, rounding off a few edges in the process. Be careful. Usually with this method it requires minimal force to get the bolt to break loose, so go easy on it. A light, precise blow will break it loose, a heavy but poorly aimed one will wreck the nut.

Getting on it with big arms and a massive bar dramatically increases the risk of rounding off the bolt. Sudden and high torque applied will break it loose as opposed to a gradual twisting of a wrench really hard that may well just deform the bolt. Especially if it's all aluminum. I don't know what the front diff housing and plug are made of.

Hence, why an impact gun is very effective at removing stuck bolts when you have the access space.

The bigger and stiffer the breaker bar is, the more effective the hammer method is because it transmits more force into the target and isn't absorbed in the handle. I have a massive 3/4" steel bar with a solid head from NAPA, that weighs quite a bit, for the job. If it goes on the nut, no nut has ever said no.

Hope that helps. The Auto-pro bar I got at NAPA was worth the money. The princess auto special is a waste of time. They either round off bolts because they bend like licorice or they snap off at the flex elbow.
 
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