97704 – Banks Dana M275 Ram-Air Rear Differential Cover
INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS
Part #s
19280, 19281, 19282
Banks Ram-Air® Differential Cover 2017+ Ford F250 HD Tow Pkg and F350 SRW, with Dana M275 Rear Axle
Please read through the following instructions thoroughly before starting your installation. If you have any questions please visit our Support Page.
- Socket Wrench
- Torque Wrench
- 24mm Socket
- 14mm Socket
- 13mm Socket
- 12mm Socket
- 5mm Allen
- Small Extension
- Pry Tool
- Puddy Knife
- Wire Brush
- Mallet
- Clean Shop Towels
ATTENTION: FILL LEVEL
In some applications, our recommended fill level may not agree with the vehicle owner’s manual fill level. If this happens, honor the factory fill level, not Banks.
ATTENTION: SIGHT GLASS
The primary purpose of the sight glass is to view the clarity of the gear oil, not to measure the fill level. Generally, the sight glass will display the correct fill level. However, in some applications, the proper fill level may be above or below the middle of the sight glass. The sight glass may not indicate the proper level if the truck is lifted or lowered, including factory off-road or heavy duty suspension packages. Changes in the pinion angle will result in the oil level above or below the sight glass. This is why we recommend filling to your truck’s factory recommended fill level.
FITMENT ALERT: Dana M275
General Installation Practices
1. Before starting work, familiarize yourself with the installation procedure by reading all of the instructions.
2. Disconnect the negative (ground) cable from the battery (or batteries, if there are two) before beginning work.
3. When raising the vehicle, support it on properly weight-rated safety stands, ramps, or a commercial hoist. Follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions. Take care to balance the vehicle to prevent it from slipping or falling. When using ramps, be sure the front wheels are centered squarely on the topsides; put the transmission in park; set the hand brake; and place blocks behind the rear wheels.
⚠️ CAUTION! ⚠️
Do not use floor jacks to support the vehicle while working under it. Do not raise the vehicle onto concrete blocks, masonry, or any other item not intended specifically for this use.
4. During installation, keep the work area clean. Do not allow anything to
be dropped into the rear differential while performing the installation, as foreign objects will cause immediate damage upon start-up.
General Assembly
Ram-Air Rear Diff Cover Installation
1 Install O-Ring
Apply a small amount of oil to the O-ring and slide the O-ring through your fingers to make sure it’s evenly coated.
Be careful not to damage the O-ring.
Depress the O-ring into the groove, slowly working your way around. If you find the O-ring to be slightly too long, take your time and walk the excess around the cover. You’ll slowly work the excess length into the groove as shown in the video above.
DO NOT CUT THE O-RING! Cutting the O-ring will result in a leak.
2 Place oil pan
Position an oil pan under the diff cover to catch fluids drained during installation.
3 Drain Oil
This differential’s drain plug is the lowest diff cover bolt. Remove the drain plug using a 13mm socket and allow the fluid to fully drain from inside the axle housing.
4 Remove Cover
Use a 13mm socket to remove the remaining bolts and remove the cover. this may require a putty knife to pry up the cover. Avoid using a screwdriver as it may damage the face of the differential, causing a leak later.
5 Cover Ring-Gear
Place clean shop towels or lint-free rags over the ring gear and differential to keep them clean.
6 Clean Axle Surface
Clean and inspect the axle housing sealing surface. It should be flat and free of all debris, rust, residue, and sealant to ensure a proper O-ring seal. Use a putty knife or flat razor blade to remove all silicone residue.
7 Install Banks Cover
Install the Banks cover using the included bolts and a 13mm socket. Apply a small amount of thread locker on the bolts. Moving from bolt to bolt in a star pattern like you would when mounting a wheel, torque the bolts to 20 lb/ft (27 Nm).
8 Install Sight Glass
Install the sight glass using a 24mm socket. If the sight glass is already installed, make sure that it is tight and secure. Do not use a torque wrench as you will damage the O-ring.
9 Install Drain Plug
If the drain plug is not already installed on the Ram-Air cover, apply a drop of diff fluid on the threads of the plug and install it now. Use a socket wrench to tighten. Do not use a torque wrench as over-tightening may damage the O-ring.
10 Fill with Oil
Fill the differential housing with the manufacturer’s specified amount and type of lubricant (refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual) using a funnel or the new convenient AMSOIL Easy Packs. The fluid level should be at the center of the sight glass when the vehicle is parked on level ground.
Note: Fluid Level
Note: The fluid level may not appear in the center of the sight glass if the vehicle is parked on a hill, the chassis is raised by a jack or lift kit, or the suspension has been modified. The modifications affect the angle of the differential housing. This Ram-Air cover fits a wide range of Ford trucks with differing heights and wheelbases. Therefore, it’s possible that the factory-specified amount of lubrication will be above the center of the sight glass. This is NORMAL. Remember the main purpose of the sight glass is to check the fluid’s condition (color).
11 Install Fill Plug
Apply a drop of diff fluid on the fill plug threads. Install the fill plug using a 14mm socket. Do not use a torque wrench as you can damage the O-ring.
12 Clean Up
Clean up any spilled oil and check for any leaks around the cover, fill/drain plugs, and sight glass.