How to Jack Up Car to Change Rear Differential Fluid

Raising a vehicle to service the differential fluid is relatively easy but requires the technician follow strict safety guidelines. Improperly raising the vehicle can damage the undercarriage of the vehicle and can cause injury if the vehicle falls off the jack stands or rolls forward or backward.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hydraulic Jack
• proper size jack stands
• wheel stops
• open end box end wrench
• differential oil (per manufacturer)
• Oil drip pan

1. Make sure the vehicle is in the park position and located on a flat, level surface. Allow the vehicle to cool down so that the differential oil is not hot to the touch. Serious burn injuries could result if this precaution is not followed.

2. "Chock" the front wheels with wheel stop devices and set the parking brake so that the vehicle cannot roll forward or backwards.Set the parking brake for added vehicle stability.

3. Position the hydraulic jack so that it is located in the center of the rear of the vehicle. Locate the vehicles center jacking point and position the hydraulic jacks arm so that it contacts the rear jacking point.

4. Begin elevating the hydraulic jack until it contacts the rear, center jacking point. Raise the vehicle slowly by moving the jack arm up and down repeatedly until vehicle is up high enough that the rear wheels are off the ground. Take care not to elevate the vehicle at too steep an angle. This is dangerous in that the vehicle could push forward and drop off the hydraulic jack. You only need to raise the vehicle high enough to slide the jack stands under the car. The jack stands should be placed under the rear axle on the left and right side of the vehicle. Turn the knob on the hydraulic jack counterclockwise until the jack arm is disengaged from the rear jacking point. Pull hydraulic jack out from under the vehicle. Position oil drip pan under the rear differential.

5. Using the open end box end wrench that fits the plug located on the rear of the differential, slowly loosen the plug so that the plug is only engaging one thread. Quickly remove the plug and allow the oil to run into the oil drip pan. When the oil stops dripping, pour the new differential oil into the plug opening and continue until all the old oil has been flushed out and only the new oil remains. The full level is when the oil is just below the plug opening. Use your finger to locate the oil level. When full, reinstall oil plug and tighten securely. Dispose of waste oil in a proper container that meets OSHA standards. Do not pour it on the ground.

Tips & Warnings

• Differential oil should only be changed according to the manufacturers specification.
• Failure to use the proper oil type can result in serious damage to the differential gears.
• Purchase at least an additional quart of oil to flush the old oil out.
• Raising a vehicle of the ground is hazardous unless all recommended safety precautions are followed.
• Jacking points vary by vehicle year and model. Consult the vehicles owners or service manual to identify the appropriate jacking points.