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Differential Repair Tips for DIY Enthusiasts

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The reason why most car owners have not come across the term "differential repair" is that their vehicles are not high mileage. However, the same cannot be said if you run your business from a truck. In such a case, you are bound to cover significant mileage as you attend to clients' needs. Due to the critical role the differential unit plays in your vehicle's transmission, it is important to inspect it occasionally to avoid accidents related to transmission. If you want to try your hand at repairing the differential, you should pay attention to a few aspects to ensure an impeccable job. This article highlights a few tips in this regard.

Carry Old Parts to Warehouse -- While you might not be a qualified mechanic, you should not be denied the thrill that comes with repairing your truck. The excitement comes from the belief that you can fix your vehicle without necessarily spending a fortune on the services of a professional mechanic. Notably, the first thing you will be required to do is get the right parts for your diff repair project. However, to avoid buying wrong components, take with you old diff parts to the auto repair shop for accurate matching. 

Warm the Oil -- One of the most important elements of differential repairs is the complete draining of the oil. You might think that it only involves opening the drain plug and letting the oil drain out. However, the step is far more complicated than you might think. For instance, you need to warm the diff oil to make it less viscous and easy to drain. As such, before you begin the repair work, drive the truck for a few minutes to warm the oil. Doing so will make sure that old oil is drained thoroughly to avoid contamination during refilling.

Clean the Housing -- The last thing you want is metal shavings in the fresh differential oil. Such debris can clog gears and lead to total failure of the differential system. Therefore, when doing repairs as a DIY enthusiast, make sure that you clean all the areas surrounding the differential, especially after draining the oil. More specifically, clean the diff housing covers and gears to keep away metal shavings during oil refill. Alternatively, you can use a small magnet to pull out any metal chippings from the nooks before you pour in fresh differential oil.


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