I had the service performed in December because I couldn't get my own plate off (darn bolts were stuck and one was already snapped and replaced from the last fluid change). I took it to a dealer and asked for my second dif and Tranfer case fluid changes. I paid $245.

This summer, I was changing the oil and noticed that the bolts on the skid plate are in the exact same position as when I gave up in December.


Do techs have a machine that can suck the fluid out of the front dif? I am afraid they never did it.

_________________
2005 Black KJ Sport CRD,
GDE Full Torque ECO TUNE, GDE Transmission ECO Tune,
Samco British Racing Green Hoses
Build Date 1/05
200k miles.
Original Owner

I just did my front diff, and I wouldn't think you could get to the fill plug without removing the skid plate.

_________________
Ryan
2006 Ford F-250 PSD CC FX4
**GONE**
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
SAMCO Hoses//GDE Tune//PML Trans Pan//TransGo HD Shift Kit//MBRP Exhaust

1986 2R Mustang SVO

X2

If there is a way to do it without removing the plate it would require some special tools and or special human extremities.

Its easy to remove the engine skid, loosen 2 rear bolts, remove 2 front bolts and pull it out.

_________________
2005 CRD "Ol' Blue"
Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time.
My build page- RL Komodo Rear and TJM Front Bumper, armored, lifted, JBA Steel D30, 4.10s and ARB air lockers.

Ahhh, that good old Michigan salt at work again.....( I grew up there)

To get to the front diff, you have to drop this "cowbell" housing to get to the diff. I can't see how you would drop that without removing the skid plate so it would clear. I think it would be more of a pain to try and change the fluid with the skid and housing attached that with them removed (minus the part where the cowbell keeps danging around and hitting you in the head since it is bolted to the frame in such a fashion that you can't get the bolt all the way out and take the cowbell off entirely).

I never had to drop what you call the "cowbell housing" to change the fluids.

Just loosen and remove the filler plug using a socket extension
Loosen and remove the hex drain plug.
drain
replace drain plug
fill until its coming out the fill plug
replace fill plug.

_________________
2005 CRD "Ol' Blue"
Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time.
My build page- RL Komodo Rear and TJM Front Bumper, armored, lifted, JBA Steel D30, 4.10s and ARB air lockers.

All I'm saying is that I think the plate was never removed at the dealer. If they did remove it, they didn't put the two bolts back in all the way.

It looks like I was robbed.

_________________
2005 Black KJ Sport CRD,
GDE Full Torque ECO TUNE, GDE Transmission ECO Tune,
Samco British Racing Green Hoses
Build Date 1/05
200k miles.
Original Owner

Wow my apologies, I was heading down the wrong path.

Yes some service shops can and do pump out the oil.

BUT The front diff drain hole is very close to the skid plate, don't think it can be removed without removing the skid plate. The fill hole is high on the motor side of the diff. Its pretty tough to get out with the skid plate removed Can't imagine doing it with the skid plate installed.

_________________
2005 CRD "Ol' Blue"
Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time.
My build page- RL Komodo Rear and TJM Front Bumper, armored, lifted, JBA Steel D30, 4.10s and ARB air lockers.

That is right, we had to take my cover off for the gears and DTT, but you don't for simple fluid changes. My bad.