No drain hole. Just the refill hole. Loosen all the bolts, then take off like the bottom 3 and pry that bit loose with a screwdriver (carefully! don't mar the face of the housing). Then let it all drain out, and remove the cover. Just makes it easier to hit the drain pan, when you don't pull the hole cover off when it's full of fluid.

 

Best thing to clean the housing and matting surface is to use a wire brush or on a wire wheel. I have used rtv no problem and changing diff fluid once a year is good as long as you dont sink it in mud.

 

Yea, the Lube Locker gaskets are expensive. The reason they are expensive is because they are reusable. If you run in mud and change your fluids often or as you said want to replace yearly they are a good way to go, saves money over time and makes the removing and replacing of the diff cover easier and faster.

 

i changed my diff fluid about a month ago and ya get a couple cans of brake cleaner and clean all the old oil out and old gaskets off the diff and cover and put a really light bead of RTV around the diff and throw the cover on and use the specific tourqe and pattern on the cover other wise you will snap one like i did and it sucked

 

I was just about to type that. The LubeLocker is expensive because you can use them multiple times. That's the best way to go (IMO) if you change fluid regularly. I have to change mine every time I go wheeling & I use cheap fluid & LL gaskets. Just make sure you don't RTV them. I had my gears worked on & the guys weren't familiar with lubelocker. The used RTV when they sealed the diff. Next time I went to change fluid I found out & boy was I ticked!

 

x4 to the lube locker. Use them myself for the exact reason of how often I replace my gear fluid. Just make sure to torque them down to spec's and you will be good. To drain undo most of the bolts on the bottom and lightly pry open. This will help with the mess being "more contained". Good luck.

 

I bet you were ticked! They are not cheap and having to replace one due to someones stupidity would suck.

 

Yes, and when you drop the rig off for service you hate to tell seasoned professionals - "don't change the air filter, it's re-usable", or "the gasket is re-usable", because it seems like you're telling them their job. Or worse, talking down to them. Lesson learned ...

 

Good timing on this thread...it's the next thing on my list of things to do!