Double check your rear diff factory fluid level.

[4xFord]

Long story short the factory fill on my rear differential was 10oz low. Not sure if it was an oversight on the line, QA/QC or dealer PDI. Maybe all three.

Long story long. A couple of us went out to Hackett Gulch (CO) last Sunday with a storm rolling in. It's a difficult trail on a good day and the snow wasn't helping. The lockers on my stock BL were getting a workout and 3/4 into the trail I received an alert to check my locking differential. (This was before getting to the river for anyone familiar). I gave the lockers a rest, the error went away after a few minutes and I completed the trail without issue. Love my Bronco.

As a follow up, today I checked my rear diff fluid. To be honest I was more concerned about the water crossing than the warning light but I'm glad I did. When I removed the fill plug I wasn't met with any dripping gear oil. I stuck my finger in and was eventually able to retrieve some oil. Not milky, so that was good, but definitely low.

Buying a quart of gear oil wasn't as easy as I expected. Bronco Nation provides two spec fluids and capacities for the differentials but they don't reference front or rear. 1) 80W-90 Premium REAR Axle Lubricant and 2) 75W-85 Premium Synthetic Hypoid Gear Lube. Before consulting my owners manual I had assumed the rear axle lubricant went in the rear. Nope, I think it's counterintuitive and it's the hypoid that goes in the rear and the rear axle lube that goes up front. An unlucky draw at the dealership parts department didn't provide any answers(75W-140?!?) so I'm following the owners manual. Let me know if anyone knows better.

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[Raptor911]

I will prob swap out my rear diff with a cover that allows you to drain and refill without removing it.

RPG has a nice one BUT lots of $$ >> https://www.rpgoffroad.com/product/bronco-rear-differential-cover/

 

[MUDLVR]

Wow, thanks for letting us know this...I'm on my way to check mine now! I think you're right though - the 75W-85 would go in the rear.

 

[Teke]

I will prob swap out my rear diff with a cover that allows you to drain and refill without removing it.

RPG has a nice one BUT lots of $$ >> https://www.rpgoffroad.com/product/bronco-rear-differential-cover/

I have never understood why this isn't standard. All of my Tacomas have had this ability. Makes maintenance so much easier.

 

[Raptor911]

agreed. Ford does not have a drain plug on their diff cover so you have to completely remove the cover to drain it.

On my GEN1 and GEN2 Raptor I replaced the diff cover. Here's the cover on my GEN2

I have never understood why this isn't standard. All of my Tacomas have had this ability. Makes maintenance so much easier.

 

[iamcris]

For all of you thinking of installing a different rear diff cover watch this first please.

 

[Raptor911]

every car forum someone always mentions this guy.

ran an afermarket diff cover on my GEN1 raptor for 40K and never had an issue. Sold my GEN1 to my brother-in- law and another 15K and still no issue.

Banks just wants to sell you his cover.

For all of you thinking of installing a different rear diff cover watch this first please.

 

[Teke]

For all of you thinking of installing a different rear diff cover watch this first please.

Basically all he is saying is that flat back covers aren't good. Really has nothing to do with aftermarket diff covers as he is promoting his own aftermarket diff cover.

 

[4xFord]

I have never understood why this isn't standard. All of my Tacomas have had this ability. Makes maintenance so much easier.

I agree with you and I think the design is done intentionally to draw people into the service department.

 

[BlueBoy]

Does Banks sell a diff cover for the Bronco?

 

[the poacher]

I will prob swap out my rear diff with a cover that allows you to drain and refill without removing it.

RPG has a nice one BUT lots of $$ >> https://www.rpgoffroad.com/product/bronco-rear-differential-cover/

Those are beautiful diff covers, but 750! Yikes...

 

[Saltlife4shore]

You can always use a fluid extractor / vacuum to get the gear oil out. You can get them as cheap as 20$ or all the way to like 300$.

 

[broncoyanc]

Does the Raptor finned aluminum cover fit the standard Bronco?
If it does fit is there a drain on it.

 

[Deleted member 12876]

Ford factory is incompetent,
Broncos are falling apart like it’s made out of paper Mashay

 

[DougP.]

Basically all he is saying is that flat back covers aren't good. Really has nothing to do with aftermarket diff covers as he is promoting his own aftermarket diff cover.

the problem i have with the vid is that he put a piece of flat lexan on to the cover and didn't account for the internal ribs or, and i am just guessing here but from watching it, it also looks like he didn't account for the actual depth of the flatback cover with the ribs.

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