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How to Check Rear Differential Fluid 2008-12 Ford Escape

Created on: 2019-02-21

How to check the rear differential fluid in a 2012 Ford Escapeon 08, 09, 10, 11, 12 Ford Escapes.

  1. step 1 :Checking the Rear Differential Fluid
    • Use a flat blade screwdriver to clean out the rear differential fill plug
    • Use a 3/8 inch ratchet to remove the fill plug
    • Make sure the fluid level is at the bottom of the fill hole
  2. step 2 :Adding the Fluid
    • Add the appropriate fluid as necessary
    • Replace the fill plug (you can use pipe sealer to help better secure it)
    • Use a 3/8 inch ratchet to tighten the fill plug
    • Use brake parts cleaner and a rag to clean off the rear differential

Tools needed

  • Flat Blade Screwdriver

    3/8 Inch Drive Ratchet

    Cloth Rags

    Brake Parts Cleaner

Hi, I'm Mike from 1A Auto. We've been selling auto parts for over 30 years.

What's up, guys? I'm Andy from 1A Auto. In this video I'm going to show you how to check the fluid in the rear differential in this 2012 Ford Escape. If you need parts for your vehicle, click the link in the description and head over to 1aauto.com.

Over here on the backside of the rear differential, there's a fill plug right here. This is where we're going to check the level. This is a little bit of staining here. That's okay. It's not horrible. First thing I'm going to do is take a straight blade screwdriver. Just want to clean this out because this dirt that gets in that fill plug right there. That's good. Now I can take a 3/8 ratchet and line that up. Might have to wiggle it a little bit. Once I get it in there, just loosen this up. Put a little pressure on it while you're loosening it.

All right. I'm going to pull that out. There's a little bit of metal on there. That's okay. It's not excessive. Can wipe that off with a rag. To check the level, you just want the fluid level right up to the bottom of that fill hole, which the fluid level is. And that fluid actually looks pretty good in this, so it doesn't need to be changed.

Now this isn't something you need to check every oil change or anything, but once in a while it is a good thing to check. Take the fill plug. You can put a little bit of pipe sealer on that and make it seal up a little bit better. And then you just take the ratchet and you just tighten this down. Just snug this up a little bit. Once it starts getting tight, it's not going to bottom out. It just tightens up as it gets tighter, so don't tighten it too much or you'll crack the case. But that's good, and you're good to go. You can just take some brake parts cleaner and clean it off. You can just wipe it off with a rag.

Thanks for watching. Visit us 1aauto.com for quality auto parts, fast and free shipping, and the best customer service in the industry.

How to Check Backlash and Pattern on Rear Differential 2009-14 Ford F150

How to measure the backlash and pattern on the rear differential, with examples of good and bad measurments on 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Ford F150

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