DIY Transfer Case Fluid Change How-To (3 Viewers)

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Thanks for the great write up. Just completed the fluid change. I had to use a syringe to get the new fluids in because I didn't want to take down my Slee belly plate. With the info in this write up, everything went smoothly, though it took me about 60min instead of 30.

Thanks!

Very cool, glad you found it helpful! :):wrench:
 
How hot should the transfer case get? Without towing. My case is very hot to the touch after it has been driven normal for a good period.
 
Thanks Cypher. This might be making my list sooner than I was planning.
 
Finally changed all my fluids to M1. I installed a Slee diff drop and had all the skid and belly pans off so went ahead and changed all fluids.

Great write up Cypher. I am sure someone mentioned this but I bought a small pump that screws on to the M1 quart bottles. It was very inexpensive and it is actually in the outboard boat motor section of your store. It is made to change the lower end fluid in your outboard motor. About $6 and worked like a champ!

I did not have a 24mm socket and my 7/8 would not fit. I found a 15/16 to be a real nice fit. 24 mm is equal to .94488 inch and 7/8 is .875 and 15/16 is equal to .9375. Cypher you might check the SAE equivalent and edit the original post just in case people don't read this far in the thread.

Thanks again for a great writeup. :beer:
 
While I've got the skid plates off and am under the truck (for my CV reboot), I figured I'd replace the front differential fluid. Might as well make it a party and replace the rear diff and transfer case too.

In my search for the part numbers for the transfer case drain/fill plug washers/gaskets I came across this thread. Excellent thread Cypher! Moderators, can we post it to the FAQ right under the front and rear diff oil change FAQ threads?
 
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REALLY USEFUL. Someone put this in the FAQ as I spent a long time trying to decipher text instructions and repair manual diagrams.
 
For those that are changing their transfer oil, I just did mine and the gaskets weren't crush types like the front and rear. The front and rear use the same type of crush gasket but the center gaskets seemed really solid when I got them new and didn't look much different from the old gaskets. Safe to replace them but I just kept the old ones on.
 
shogun2fire said:
For those that are changing their transfer oil, I just did mine and the gaskets weren't crush types like the front and rear.

This is correct. But, since you have new gaskets, why not replace them?
 
Great thread guys, finally finished all the fluids to my new to me 99 TLC. Mobil 1 all around as she is headed north for a lifetime of mountain life in Idaho.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD
 
Great thread guys, finally finished all the fluids to my new to me 99 TLC. Mobil 1 all around as she is headed north for a lifetime of mountain life in Idaho.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD
Based on 2 diff and trans case changes I've done since i've had the truck, washers are different. Otoh, sealing mechanism is the same...flat boss on the trans case and diffs, and similar plugs. Crush washers are easier to tighten by feel...kind of like giant spark plugs. So I use them in all 6 plug positions, no leaks, etc.

Ot, welcome to Idaho. I made a similar move from DFW a few years ago. Politics are very similar :)...you'll not miss humidity for 6 to 7 months each year:p. Challenging to find good bbq, though.

Steve
 
Hey Guys, would this be OK for the transfer case fluid change even if it says LSD?

Can the front diff use the same weight (80W90) oil with LSD?

It seems like, it's very hard to find the gear oil with out the LSD?

Gear oil 1.jpg
 
Question form a newbie

So i Just bought lx 470 1999- I don't know the history of when any of the diff or trans case fluid was changed last- It has 152k on her, I ordered a case of valvoline 80/90 semi synth gear oil, is this good? My other question is- Can I use 75w/90 synthetic? and would it be better too considering I live in Alaska- will run her in temps anywhere between -50f and 85 F. Thanks,
Also what kind of transmission fluid do all of you use? I noticed there are no post for trans refill procedures etc/
 
Hey Guys, would this be OK for the transfer case fluid change even if it says LSD?

Can the front diff use the same weight (80W90) oil with LSD?

It seems like, it's very hard to find the gear oil with out the LSD?
Yes on both the transfer case and diff's.

So i Just bought lx 470 1999- I don't know the history of when any of the diff or trans case fluid was changed last- It has 152k on her, I ordered a case of valvoline 80/90 semi synth gear oil, is this good? My other question is- Can I use 75w/90 synthetic? and would it be better too considering I live in Alaska- will run her in temps anywhere between -50f and 85 F. Thanks,
Also what kind of transmission fluid do all of you use? I noticed there are no post for trans refill procedures etc/
Synthetic is superior in low temps.

For the trans, anything that meats Dexron III specs. I like Mobil 1 synthetic.

Steve
 
Does the transfer case have a vent?

I was searching for the answer to this question when I came across this thread. I figured my question could be answered here and it would at least be tied to a transfer case sticky.
So does the TC have ventilation? I am chasing a leak in my TC that only happens when I make long road trips like 100+ miles. Any help and pics would be awesome.
 
So does the TC have ventilation? I am chasing a leak in my TC that only happens when I make long road trips like 100+ miles. Any help and pics would be awesome.
TC has a breather hose similar to those on the diff's.

Steve
 
TC has a breather hose similar to those on the diff's.

Steve

Thanks Steve. Can you elaborate on where to find it? I am guessing it need to be on the top of the case but I am having trouble locating it. It is kind of hard to get my big head up there to see.

If the top of the case were sectioned into quadrants, would it be in the driver side front of case? passenger side rear? Any help would be appreciated.

Once I find it, I am actually hoping to find the vent stopped up. I was deer hunting after Christmas for most of the week and it was pretty wet in central Texas and that mud is like cement when it dries. When I drove home 275 miles, I smelled the unmistakable smell of 90w oil burning. I looked under the truck and my theory is that it leaked out at the front output shaft, ran down the tc, blew in the wind while driving four hours at 75 mph, blew onto the rear drive shaft, then spun over to the hot exhaust. I cleaned all of the mud and oil out from under the truck and topped off the tc. I then drove it around town for a few days in a row but I could not get the leak to show itself again.

Last weekend I drove to Dallas for a meeting (about 100 miles) and when I pulled into the valet parking at the hotel, I could smell it again. That is why I am hoping to find the vent stopped up.
 
Thanks Steve. Can you elaborate on where to find it? I am guessing it need to be on the top of the case but I am having trouble locating it. It is kind of hard to get my big head up there to see.
Halfway down the transmission dipstick, you'll see two 1/4" hoses connected to hose barbs on the dipstick.

One is the breather is for the TC, the other for the front diff.

I found an inline 2:1 connector at my local fluid products dealer. I connected the "2" side to the breather hoses, and the "1" side to a 1/4" hose...the single hose I extended up just to the right (as you face the open hood) of the master cylinder. Stuck a small breather on the end and added a few cable ties to keep everything in place.

I finished by putting small caps over the 2 hose barbs on the AT dipstick.

hth

Steve
 
Years later - handy thread, thanks!
 

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