How to Drain a Rear Differential

If it's time to change your differential fluid, reseal the cover because of leaks, or check your gears for wear, you'll need to drain the whole rear differential system first. Follow the right steps to clear the fluid and avoid a mess on your garage floor--and yourself!

Instructions

1

Raise the car on four jack stands. You can do a fluid change with only the rear of the vehicle lifted, but it's a less perfect process because the car isn't level.

2




Place an oil drain pan underneath the differential. Be sure to use a container that is wider than the differential cover and deep enough to hold all the fluid. Keep some shop rags handy for any spills.

3




Locate the fill plug first and make sure that it can be removed. The plug may be rusted or stripped and require a professional's skill to take out. If you can't remove the plug, then you won't be able to refill the system once you've drained it, so this is an important first step!

4

Loosen all the bolts on the differential cover first, using the proper socket and ratchet for your vehicle.

5




Once all the bolts are loosened, start removing the bolts at the bottom of the differential cover. Remove one bolt from the left side, the next bolt from the right, then back to the left again and so on. Leave two or three bolts at the top in place.

6

Loosen the top bolts a little more, but do not remove.

7




Place pry bar between the cover and the differential. Gently break the seal.

8




Let the gear oil drain into the catch pan. Wait until it stops flowing completely.

9

Now remove the final bolts at the top. Hold on to the cover with your other hand so it doesn't fall off and splash into the pan below.

10

Pry the cover off completely. More fluid will come out, so keep that drain pan in place!

11




While you've got the cover off, you can inspect the differential gears for wear. To refill the system, you'll need to clean, seal, and torque the differential cover back into place.