Hi, I need to change my gasket because the rear end has developed a slow leak. But, I have never change a rear end gasket before. I have a 2000 Durango 5.9L with limited slip. When I look at the rear end there appears to be a filler/drain cap on the lower right of center. I could not find a filler cap on the top of the rear end.

Is there a filler cap that I am not seeing?

Can someone walk me thru the steps to drain, replace and especially fill the fluid back up, I have liquid copper to make the gasket. It would be appreciated.

Thanks

Bradley

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Ok you need some red silicone first off or I heard the gold RTV is good, a razor scraper, brake cleaner, pry bay (I used my tire iron that came with the D), 2-3 quarts of mobil 1 synth 75-90 gear oil, friction modifier from the dealership, drain pan, and of course a socket set. It also looks like your plug is old so buy a new plug as well. Remove your spare tire so that you have more room under the D then remove all of the bolts on the cover and just leave the top bolt on loosely to hold the cover. Pry the cover up and let the diff drain out. Once it has drained you need to scrape all of the old RTV off of the diff and then the cover. It is also a good idea to pull any metal shavings/chunks off of the magnet (the magnet is on the bottom of the diff). once you have scraped all of the old RTV off spray the inside of the cover off with the brake cleaner and let it completely dry in the sun. Spray some brake cleaner on a rag and wipe the edges of the diff to clean all of the gear oil. Once everything is dry apply a thin bead (I think about an 1/8th of an inch is good) of RTV to the cover going on the inside of the bolt holes. Line it up and attach it to the diff without moving it around too much and smearing the RTV. Bolt the cover on in a criss-cross pattern. I like to let the D sit for 24 hours before adding my gear oil to let the RTV dry completely. Once you are ready to add your fluid put the friction modifier in and then add your gear oil through the fill hole. You want it filled about a 1/4 of an inch from the filler hole.

Have fun.

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2000 Durango 5.9L SLT+ Flowmaster 40 "Custom" Ram Air 31" BFG AT T/A KO's Bilstein Shocks Hidden Hitch Sirius Satelite Radio E-fan conversion Smittybilt brushguard SSU's

To add to what Mean Green said, an easy way to add the new fluid is to use a fluid transfer pump or suction guns. You can see two examples here and here.
They are sold at most any auto parts store. You can still do it without one, but its been my experiance that it's a lot easier to use one.

And like Mean Green said, use a good gear oil, and since you have LSD, the additive.

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Current ride: Belleville 220 DES ST - leather, reinforced front end, tan color. Runs on 'alternative fuel'
1996 Dodge Dakota
1986 Honda Civic CRX

It dosen't look like a bad gasket it looks like you just need a new filler plug. Replace the plug and clean off your dif and it should fix your problem. Your gasket looks in good condition.[8D]

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Yeah I was thinking that too but might as well change it. If oil can come out contaminants can come in.

Dodgerules, the front diff in our D's is a PITA to fill without a pump but you don't even need the pump for the rear. It goes in just fine.

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2000 Durango 5.9L SLT+ Flowmaster 40 "Custom" Ram Air 31" BFG AT T/A KO's Bilstein Shocks Hidden Hitch Sirius Satelite Radio E-fan conversion Smittybilt brushguard SSU's

Yea. I guess your right. It's been a while since I've worked under my truck. I know the transfer case on mine isn't too easy.

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Current ride: Belleville 220 DES ST - leather, reinforced front end, tan color. Runs on 'alternative fuel'
1996 Dodge Dakota
1986 Honda Civic CRX

If that rear plug is anything like the front plug on my 98 it will fall apart when you try to take it out and half will end up inside the diff, so you'll have to take the cover off and replace the gasket anyways.

Thanks for the information. One other question, which for me is the most important one. Where is the filler hole? Is it the same hole as the plug that is leaking?

If it is on top of the diff, how do I put the fluid in without a pump?

Thanks again

Bradley

it is the same plug thats leaking... pop it out and you can put your little finger in and feel the level. it should be right at the bottom of the fill plug.

you can get a pump at the auto parts stores for about $7 bux. worth every penny.

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Another way to fill it is to use a piece of hose that fits on to the oil bottle, stick the other end inside the diff and you can fill it from next to the vehicle instead of under it. But by sure to keep checking the level and have a spill pan under the diff for when you over fill.