07 Front diff oil change, how the heck do you get the cover off??

[Adventure Driven]

Hello All

I am new to Ford and am servicing out my new to me 07 Expedition, This forum has been a great source of info.

I am trying to get the front diff cover off to change the oil out, man it is tight there, it seems like the rack has to be moved out of the way or something, anyone have some tips out there.

Also has anyone installed a drain plug to make next time easier?

Thanks
Seth

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

I don't have the service manual for '07, but here's the relevant info for '11. According to Ford, you have to remove the axle assembly.
https://www.scribd.com/document/329432893/2011-Expedition-Front-Differential-Service

 

[ExplorerTom]

I'd try to suck out what you can. Measure it and put that amount if new back in.

 

[Bedrck47]

07 manual says the same as the 11 manual

Removal

1. Remove the axle assembly. For additional information, refer to Axle Assembly in this section.

1. Remove the differential housing cover.
   • Drain the fluid.
   • Remove the 10 differential housing cover bolts.
   • Remove the differential housing cover.

• 
  
  

 

[sesmith]

I was able to suck all of the diff. oil out of mine using an electric oil pump.

 

[USMCBuckWild]

On my 08 Explorer I drilled a small hole in the lower angled face of the cover (with vaseline on the bit to catch chips) packed a 1/8 NPT tap with vaseline (to catch chips) and tapped that hole. Then used a 1/8 NPT plug I got from Lowes for $1.97. No need to remove the cover.

Did the same with the trans pan when changing the filter on both the Explorer and Expedition. Made sure I did it on the rear side of the pickup sump of the trans pan to protect it. No leaks, no issues, no problems.

Just my $0.02

 

[Adventure Driven]

I don't have the service manual for '07, but here's the relevant info for '11. According to Ford, you have to remove the axle assembly.
https://www.scribd.com/document/329432893/2011-Expedition-Front-Differential-Service

Ok, Thanks for this, I found out a way to do it, I removed the 2 rack bolts and used a bottle jack to gently raise the rack a few inches, this gave me plenty of room to get cover off, I even installed a drain plug in the cover so I would never have to do that again, why Fords don't have a drain is beyond me.

Seth

 

[Adventure Driven]

 

[USMCBuckWild]

A little booger on that weld, nothing a little grinding won't fix. I didn't take the cover off to do mine.... would have prefered to weld on a washer or nut to give better support, but using the small plug helps solve that issue.

Good job!