- 1). Park the Dakota and engage the emergency brake.
- 2). Slide an oil bucket beneath the differential. The process is the same for both front and rear differentials.
- 3). Loosen the bolts surrounding the differential cover with a socket wrench. Remove the bolts and set them to the side. Remove the cover. You might have to insert a flat-head screwdriver between the cover and the differential to pry it loose.
- 4). Scrape off all the gasket material from the cover and the differential with a scraper. Inspect the gears inside the differential for damage. Look for broken teeth or signs of excessive wear. Consult a mechanic if you notice any damaged components.
- 5). Install the new gasket by attaching it to the differential and holding the differential cover in place. Hand-tighten all bolts.
- 6). Tighten the bolts down one at a time with a socket wrench. Start with the lowest bolt, then go to the highest bolt. Alternate the bolts you tighten in a criss-cross pattern to evenly seat the gasket.
- 7). Remove the rubber fill cap and fill with the appropriate weight gear oil. Fill until the fluid level is just below the fill cap hole. A small bead of oil will run out of the hole when the differential is full. Replace the cap when finished.
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