Hey guys, I have an '04 FX4, and I went to change out the front diff fluid. Wanted to replace the gasket and get a look inside so I unbolted the cover without realizing you're not supposed to on these trucks. Now I've got a dangling cover without a gasket that I need to clean up and put back on. Anybody have any idea what the best way is to actually be able to get the cover down from the truck? I'm thinking that removing the steering is the best way forwards...

 

You most certainly didn't F up. The front cover is definitely removable without touching anything else; I did mine a few months ago. You just have to snake it out, not hard. It didn't come with a gasket originally; you could make your own using the differential RTV, or go down to the parts store and get a rear diff gasket for a Ford 8.8.

 

Thanks for the tip. I wrestling with it for a long time but I just couldn't get the cover past the ring gear. Ended up taking 4 bolts out of the steering rack which allowed me to shove it up far enough to easily drop the cover out. And yeah I got the 8.8 gasket from Shuck's and added some liquid gasket.

 

I have the same truck and did mine and don't recall having that many problems or removing stuff

 

Exactly. I've never heard of having to remove anything to remove the cover.

 

Did you jack the front end up to get the diff housing off?