I decided to refresh the rear diff oil yesterday as a precaution to future wear having had the F2 for a few months
Very easy job, just unscrew the fill plug, suck out brown oil and top up with new clean oil

I used an extractor, but you can use any kind of syringe with an 8" thin tube

I managed to get out approx. 700ml of the old stuff
To refill simply squeeze the oil in out of the bottle until it seeps out the plug when car is level, once the trickle stops, tighten the plug.

I assume my old oil level was a little low as i stuck my little finger in the hole and it didn't get wet upon first removal of the plug! Maybe just a little lost over the past 6 years through slight seepage?

Castrol Axle EPX 80W/90 1 litre was £9

 - FL2 3.2 i6 - There is no Replacement for Displacement

If my wife ever sells my stuff for what I told her I paid for it, there will be some bargains out there!

Thanks a good post 😀😀

many thanks hope it enables members that were hesitant to have a go on such a vital part of the car given the many horror stories I keep reading - FL2 3.2 i6 - There is no Replacement for Displacement

If my wife ever sells my stuff for what I told her I paid for it, there will be some bargains out there!

Thanks for the vid Leesbay and when you change your Haldex oil post a video of that so we are all up to speed.
Thanks in advance.

Bill Life Honorary Member of Wallasey Motor Club.
Licenced MSA Radio Operator for 35+ years.
Rallying is the only sport.

Don't you have to remove 70ml of oil once filled?

On second thoughts I will cross the river to your place and you can demonstrate on my motor.

Bill Life Honorary Member of Wallasey Motor Club.
Licenced MSA Radio Operator for 35+ years.
Rallying is the only sport.

Last edited by Bill Turner on 11th Nov 2014 11:00 pm. Edited 1 time in total

no problem Bill, made a note to self  - FL2 3.2 i6 - There is no Replacement for Displacement

If my wife ever sells my stuff for what I told her I paid for it, there will be some bargains out there!

RichP wrote:

Don't you have to remove 70ml of oil once filled?

that's on the haldex buddy not the diff  - FL2 3.2 i6 - There is no Replacement for Displacement

If my wife ever sells my stuff for what I told her I paid for it, there will be some bargains out there!

p.s. Thanks for the vid

have done several haldex oil changes on the audi TTs, so cant be any harder than that! You have to get the temperature correct on the Audis using VAGCOM, what a pain in the so taking 70ml out by syringe is a piece of cake! - FL2 3.2 i6 - There is no Replacement for Displacement

If my wife ever sells my stuff for what I told her I paid for it, there will be some bargains out there!

ps the extraction unit I used on the diff came with a brake bleed nozzle which worked perfectly when I changed the power steering fluid and reservoir. It connected to the outlet side and on low pressure draw takes the old fluid out whilst pouring new fluid in. 20 minute job and didn't even get my hands dirty
Another MUST do job on our beloved Freelanders!

. - FL2 3.2 i6 - There is no Replacement for Displacement

If my wife ever sells my stuff for what I told her I paid for it, there will be some bargains out there!

Hi, does the plug have a sealing washer, if so does it need replacing when you change the oil and where did you get it? Sorry for all the questions, just reading around there appears that some have had issues with the rear diff so I would like to try and prevent any issues on mine as it is 07 and working ok. Cheers

Yes it does have a small copper washer
Ideally you could replace but I didn't as it was in good condition as I doubt it had ever been touched from new

I rechecked a few days later for seepage and all is dry as a bone

If planning to do the job I would order one from LR in advance - FL2 3.2 i6 - There is no Replacement for Displacement

If my wife ever sells my stuff for what I told her I paid for it, there will be some bargains out there!