So, I started pulling everything apart tonight on the 300d for my axle job....when I got the differential cover off...I'm pretty sure I've exposed a mess.

The fluid was really brown and smelled a little burnt. I've read a few posts on here that switching to synthetic will help clean it out...but is there something I can do while I've got the cover off to get rid of some of the sludge? Some kind of cleaning solution...brake cleaner maybe? (making sure it's all out before I refill of course) Or should I just run the synthetic for a few weeks and do a fluid change?

On a separate note...now that I've got the cover off...where the heck are the axle clamps/rings that are inside the differential.

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