Differential (Rear Axle) fluid change
 

I searched the forum and did not find a how-to on the fluid change for XJ so here it is…..
Tools and fluids: 3/8” socket ratchet, loctite, Pela 6000 oil extractor, oil hand pump, differential fluid type M2C192A synthetic (2 qts). I used Amsol Severe Gear 75W-140.
·Jack the car upon stands, all four corners. Make sure the car is level
·Slide under the boot of the car and find the differential (Rear Axle).
·Remove the fluid filler plug. The filler plug is easily found on the rear facing side of the differential. It is a screw that can be removed with a 3/8” socket wrench. I could not find a drain plug…. Clean off the magnate end of the plug.
·Using an oil extractor remove the existing fluid. Fluid capacity is 1.3 liters/1.38QT. I was able to extract about 1.2 quarts.
·Replace the fluid, Axle fluid should flow from the filler plug threaded hole when full. Failure to follow this instruction may result in damage to the axle.
·Replace the fluid filler plug using some loctite on the threads. Tighten to 34 Nm.

Done..
The fluid that came out of my differential needed a change… 46,000 miles and it was black with visible metal flake in the oil.

Thanks for the write up!

After reading this I decided that I'll change mine next week when I go to change my oil, I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone.........hopefully

Mathew

to add to what I wrote above, I ended up going out to buy the oil sooner rather then later and got my normal Mobil-1 Extended performance and for the differential oil bought Mobil-1 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Lubricant (Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Lube LS 75W-140) Do you think I'll be okay with this gear oil?

Thanks,

Mathew

Mattrains,

I'm not an oil expert... Jaguar spec is M2C192A synthetic. I can't tell if Mobil 1 meets the spec. I've used Royal Purple 75-140 in my previous Jag with no issues. Oil and lubricants are always highly debated in this forum. I'm sure someone with more experience than me will chime in.
Let me know how the change goes.

Hey,

Does anyone know if I'll be alright with that oil for my differential fluid change?

Thanks,

Mathew

How did the Mobil 1 work in the rear differential of the X350?

You may need to add a 2 oz bottle of anti slip additive to the oil.

donch61, if you are still around, thank you for your post!

I did mine today, and (after 173,500 Km) what came out was a chocolate brown sludge...Incidentally, I 'chickened out' a bit before I got to the 134 Nm I had set on my torque wrench...seemed way tight enough to me!

Beautiful M2C192A synthetic (Ford Motorcraft SAE 75W-140 Synthetic Rear Axle Lubricant) in a clear but slightly golden colour went in!

I hereby recommend any Forum Member with this many miles/ kilometres on their clock to do the same...

The color can differ greatly when drained, mine sure did.
The color was dark from one, and several shades lighter from the other.
Leading me to believe, that the lighter colored one was changed at some point.
Both took a little more than a quart to refill.
Liquid gold at the price to replace it, glad it lasts a long time

Wrong Torque Setting
 

That's because the correct torque setting is 34Nm not 134Nm o.0!

In that case I don't suppose I got anywhere near it! No idea where I got that figure from...Used the Workshop Manual for the job...Thought it strange at the time...So (thankfully) put copper-ease on the bolt.
Been on there for 16 years...Looks like it will be there for the next 16!
Thank you for bringing it to attention. My post was aiming at being helpful, but (of course) the wrong numbers are not helpful...

When I do my diffs I use Redline shockproof heavy it'ss not cheap
I actually rang their tech support way back when I was doing the gear change in my XJR6
I've used the Amsoil as well both are top shelf products and far exceed the recommendations for these diffs​​​​​​The Redline is my go to choice though easy to buy and its just incredible pours like engine oil
I had thought about using the medium but the heavy is better suited to qld temperature If your somewhere where it actually gets really cold try the medium although nothing wrong with Amsoil products used them for years just a bit harder to get these days

This thread prompted me to change diff oil in my base XJ8. I went with a synthetic Valvoline that comes in an interesting bag that makes it pretty easy to squeeze the oil into the diff. It has modifiers for a limited slip systems included. Oil looked okay but I think I had changed it when I bought the car with 50k miles. It now has 125k.

Aren't the XJ8s open differentials with no need to additives?

I don't know about the XJR but the base XJ is not limited slip. I mentioned it just for the information. I did the same matainence on my CL63 and there is always argument whether it has a limited slip.

An XJR has limited slip. You can check for yourself by pulling the rear cover. If it has stacked clutches, it is limited slip.

You could also just add the limited slip oil additive and not worry about it. If the car is not limited slip, the additive will not affect it one way or the other.

FOr some reason Jaguar didn’t not offer limited Slip.

you’re in the wrong section the x350 has an open visteon 8 inch. anyways factory fill has ls additive, it doesn’t make a difference.

• Motorcraft® SAE 75W-140 Synthetic Rear Axle Lubricant is an excellent multi-purpose extreme pressure lubricant recommended by Ford Motor Company meeting warranty requirements. It is recommended for conventional and limited-slip differentials of passenger cars, light trucks, vans and buses that operate under mild to severe service conditions.