Rear Differential Fluid Change

Such a simple DIY. Thanks again, Jeff!

One thing I'd add is that both plugs have metal washers on them. The drain plug washer stayed with the plug, but the washer for the filler plug actually stuck to the diff, and I almost knocked it off into the old fluid while wiping the area down.
 
I might be doing this over the break.
So I change both the front and rear differentials even though I have an RWD vehicle?
 
You have no front diff. :wink: Super easy for us.

Just make sure you get the fill nut off first so you don't drain your diff and then have no way to fill it back up. Then drain, put the drain nut back on, and keep pumping in diff fluid until it creampies, wipe it and put the fill nut back on. Donezo!
 
Yeah, rear diff is definitely easiest. Front was much harder to get to. I still have to do the transfer case, stupid 1/2" drain bolt. My Invidia is right there so I can't get my 1/2" breaker on it, need to go buy a 1/2" socket now. Can't figure out why Infiniti used the same 10mm hex for 5 out of 6 plugs and then decided to use a 1/2" for this one.
 
Really. didn't pay much attention the size differences of those plug. I guess, I have the 1/2" socket readily.
 
Well I have a 1/2" breaker I use for everything, but it doesn't fit on the drain bolt due to the Invidia pipe being right there. So I need to get a regular 1/2" socket since that is lower profile. Just seemed weird since all the other plugs are 10mm hex. It's not a different type of plug, just the fitting is different.
 
StuLax18 said:
You have no front diff. :wink: Super easy for us.

Just make sure you get the fill nut off first so you don't drain your diff and then have no way to fill it back up. Then drain, put the drain nut back on, and keep pumping in diff fluid until it creampies, wipe it and put the fill nut back on. Donezo!
Click to expand...
Wait.. why can't you take the bottom drain plug off first?
 
I would imagine that it's because if you take out the bottom plug and everything drains out and some kind of problem arises while taking off the fill plug(seizes up, access issues, 3 hot strippers show up and steal your breaker bar) that you wouldn't be able to fill your rear end back up. It also makes draining the fluid easier with the fill plug removed
 
g0ldm4g3 said:
Wait.. why can't you take the bottom drain plug off first?
Click to expand...
Stu, you wanna make sure you can refill before you drain out the old fluid; that's the whole reason for open up the top first. Plug it drain better with the top plug open.
 
Yep, they both said it. Just prevents a possible issue. Although the three strippers coming to take your breaking bar...
 
:laugh: I need to read before post up. Anyone read this thread will definitely have a full understanding now.
 

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I'm afraid to say that my 2004 FX45 will soon be ten years old and the diff fluid has never been changed. Too many Middle East deployments and vehicle in storage. Thankfully, I've only got 40k miles on it but I'm betting the fluid will be pretty dark.
 
I need to get on this maint. Are there pics of the front diff?

FX is almost there at 40k miles.
 
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