Real Time Advice: Draining Front Diff Fluid

[JLH911]

My 60's front is up on jack stands and has the drain plug removed. Water got in there at some point. (I'm about to start a knuckle rebuild).

I was thinking of filling it back up with fresh diff fluid and then running(obviously just letting it circulate lightly and not gassing the hell out of it) it with the hubs locked. Is this safe with the front being up in the air?

I'd like to flush it out as best I can right now that it's doable.

Thanks

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Although I haven't any experience with water in my diffs, I wouldn't do that because it seems unnecessary and unsafe. Water will drain more readily from your diff than the gear oil so most of it should be out already. After you get it all buckled up again with new gear oil, drive it around a bit and then recheck the consistency of the oil. If the viscosity is too fluid, which I doubt, you can always safely drain and refill again at that time.

 

[weak-link]

Just fill it up and run it down the highway with the hubs locked in 2wd. Running it down the highway will allow the gears to warm up and hopefully steam out any left over water.

 

[JLH911]

Thanks guys, I'll do that once it's all back together. I bought 2 gallons of diff lube so I'll fill it up and then drain it after about a week or so.

 

[3_puppies]

My 60's front is up on jack stands and has the drain plug removed. Water got in there at some point. (I'm about to start a knuckle rebuild).

I was thinking of filling it back up with fresh diff fluid and then running(obviously just letting it circulate lightly and not gassing the hell out of it) it with the hubs locked. Is this safe with the front being up in the air?

I'd like to flush it out as best I can right now that it's doable.

Thanks

probably not a good idea unless you do something with the rear. remove driveshaft or place on jackstands also.

I don't see the point either. just run as stated above and drain and refill after a week or two.