Is my diff full of water

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mike s

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we did a narly water crossing in my 2018 like 100 yards across and was like 10 inches up the side of the doors (3 foot deep maybe more)

The video my buddies took is 1 min long exactly.

So my diff was inundated a full minute

I cant find a vent line, just curious if you guys think Im OK or should I get diff fluid changed.

She only has 9k miles

Thanks!

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Clockton

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I did a high-speed Mojave road run as well a while back and had the same concern. I drained both the front and rear. Nothing, they were fine. Draining the front is not easy. I did put in a rear cover that allows me to drain more easily.

Make sure you get all the mud off from the lake ASAP. It will eat parts of your truck.


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Trick.Raptor

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After this water crossing I had a rear seal go bad on the drivers side rear axle. There was no sign of water in the diff from what I'm told though and it was replaced under warranty. Shortly after that the passenger side failed and again was replaced under warranty.

I didn't do anything with the front diff (front diff fluid was changed at 60k so I only had 20k when I did this water crossing) and when the front diff fluid was finally changed at 96k it was still looking OK.

Was it the water or 80k+ on my Raptor that spends a lot of time in the dirt??? Can't say for sure. I have a MAG rear diff cover so checking it is easy. Now would be a good time to upgrade the rear diff cover :)

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JTU

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@Clockton Nice water crossing, textbook bow wave.

@mike s I do a lot of water crossings on my Land Cruiser trips and I usually drain my diff fluid after each trip if we had deep crossings just to be on the safe side. I'm still new to the Raptor (3 day owner) so I'm still learning the platform but diff fluid is cheap in comparison to differentials.
 

Bakasan

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Water Crossing and Bearings; Things to consider, how long were you in 4X4 mode before entering the water? if you were in 4x4 mode for a while and both Front and Rear Diff's were Heated up to an extent, when you enter the water, you will cause a quick dissipation of the Heat, in turn this "MAY" cause a Vacuum or Negative Pressure in the Seals, and in turn suck some water into your Seals and Diff's. Caution should be taken anytime entering Water above your Axels. I always recommend to check your Diff Fluids as soon as possible after and Axel Bath!! Not that you may have to flush and fill, but I do check mine Frequently....
 

Raptor911

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You will curse Ford as draining diff fluids is not easy in the Raptor. Better pickup a rear diff cover with a drain bolt.

@Clockton Nice water crossing, textbook bow wave.

@mike s I do a lot of water crossings on my Land Cruiser trips and I usually drain my diff fluid after each trip if we had deep crossings just to be on the safe side. I'm still new to the Raptor (3 day owner) so I'm still learning the platform but diff fluid is cheap in comparison to differentials.
 
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Ca51flatty

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The front vent is up high on the firewall by the brake booster. The rear is on a cross member just under the bed. Unlikely the front got to the vent inlet but possible on the rear
 
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