What solvent do you use to clean out diff fluid?

[Finfan88]

Replacing original diff fluid for 500k in center diff. How and what do I use to clean this dark grease in center diff? Is denatured alcohol and brake cleaner OK?

 

[Erstadw]

I thought brakleen was ok but I think this crc electronics cleaner works better.

 

[slick2500]

This you need.
A mason/ball jar with a lid.
A tea infuser https://express.google.com/u/0/prod...26OYj4Hr4QRcmGvQ4vVx-bD0wbqjJ7ORoC8HIQAvD_BwE
And Naphtha https://www.lowes.com/pd/crown-32-f...OvFU3gfycaQ-npTl-QB8yxvot8B6pOShoCkTwQAvD_BwE

Put diff parts inside tea infuser, put Naphtha in jar then stir tea infuser in jar. When done put lid on jar to store for later.

 

[chevys10zr2003]

This you need.
A mason/ball jar with a lid.
A tea infuser https://express.google.com/u/0/prod...26OYj4Hr4QRcmGvQ4vVx-bD0wbqjJ7ORoC8HIQAvD_BwE
And Naphtha https://www.lowes.com/pd/crown-32-f...OvFU3gfycaQ-npTl-QB8yxvot8B6pOShoCkTwQAvD_BwE

Put diff parts inside tea infuser, put Naphtha in jar then stir tea infuser in jar. When done put lid on jar to store for later.

I actually bought the infuser below after hearing you recommend that tea infuser awhile back. I liked that everything was self contained within the jar. This combined with Naptha worked awesome. Too bad the Naptha didn't do much for the lithium grease I use on the gears but that isn't so bad to deal with.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06WXXF81Q/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_old_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Erstadw]

I need one of them tea infuser things. That sounds like it works awesome. No more trying to pick parts out of the jar with my fingers or pliers.

 

[slick2500]

I actually bought the infuser below after hearing you recommend that tea infuser awhile back. I liked that everything was self contained within the jar. This combined with Naptha worked awesome. Too bad the Naptha didn't do much for the lithium grease I use on the gears but that isn't so bad to deal with.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06WXXF81Q/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_old_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Dude that looks like it would work way better than the tea infuser.

 

[Captain Dirt]

I actually bought the infuser below after hearing you recommend that tea infuser awhile back. I liked that everything was self contained within the jar. This combined with Naptha worked awesome. Too bad the Naptha didn't do much for the lithium grease I use on the gears but that isn't so bad to deal with.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06WXXF81Q/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_old_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just ordered one. Free 1 day shipping from Amazon. Thanks for this!

 

[GregMonahan]

I drop all parts in a baby food jar, fill with one inch of acetone, soak for 5 minutes and then shake like hell..... as I remove and set out, I wire brush ( brass ) any remaining tidbits away. Take that infuser.......?

 

[Jeffashbaugh452]

I drop all parts in a baby food jar, fill with one inch of acetone, soak for 5 minutes and then shake like hell..... as I remove and set out, I wire brush ( brass ) any remaining tidbits away. Take that infuser.......?

I second that. Acetone and a small mason jar for me.

 

[Bigdickdaddy]

If you just set the open diff with the open side down on some paper towels it will drain by itself overnight. I do that with all my new diffs pretty simple compared to sitting in fumes while you brush your diff clean.

 

[Saltystevo]

How does regular thinner work compared to the naptha?
Or acetone?
I currently have both

 

[chevys10zr2003]

Dude that looks like it would work way better than the tea infuser.

It does work pretty good and I got all of the gears, pins, cases and everything in there in one shot.

 

[PowerDubs]

I liked that everything was self contained within the jar. This combined with Naptha worked awesome.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06WXXF81Q/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_old_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That is a great idea. Should make it less messy and able to reuse the same fluid for a long time. Thanks for the share!

 

[chevys10zr2003]

That is a great idea. Should make it less messy and able to reuse the same fluid for a long time. Thanks for the share!

That was my thinking too. The only issue that I foresee long term is getting the crud out of the bottom of the jar. I'm thinking that if I get a second jar and slowly dump the Naptha off of the top that I should be able to save most of it.

Edit: Here is the Naptha after one set of diffs.

 

[Captain Dirt]

I'm using an old toothbrush and 99% isopropyl alcohol. Gets everything clean and dries quick.

 

[cootertwo]

Naptha

 

[slick2500]

My jar of Naphtha smells like Famous Daves pickles