Transfer case leaking lots of oil on 93 (1 Viewer)

[thehumaneraser]

Hey all,

Was hoping one of the great mud folks could give me some advice. I was driving my 93 cruiser today when it started making some terrible vibrations while accelerating. I checked out this thread Drive Shaft PM and Drive Train Troubleshooting- For FAQ and got under the car. There is oil all over the place by the transfer case (see pics). I think it's leaking somewhere. Gonna try to get some more fluid and top it off and see if that resolves the issue. That might prove that it is a leak but it wouldn't fix it.

A couple questions:
1) I don't have my FSM (currently out in Montana for some camping), could someone tell me the torque for the fill plug on the transfer case?

2) Per this thread: DIY Transfer Case Fluid Change How-To
it seems like 75w90 gear oil is the way to go but this is for a 100 series. Is this still the best for an 80 series with 306k?

3) If it is a leak, would it be feasible to drive this back home to Seattle, stopping every now and then to top off the fluid so I can have more space and tools to work on the issue or do I need to take it to a mechanic out here?

4) How bad is it to drive on with low t-case oil?

5) Anything else it could be that I'm just missing?

Thanks for all your help

 

[cjmoon]

If it’s making noise it could be a bearing leading to wobble and seal leaking. Fill to see what it’s doing but Possibly pull the front Shaft and lock center Diff might be the best thing to do.

 

[BILT4ME]

Top off your oil in the tcase. I don't have the manual on my phone to confirm oil type.

I would only be worried about that leak if you fill it , run it, and it's leaking out in a stream.

That appears to be a weeping seal and is not life threatening.

Tighten the fill plug until it is snug, then snug just a bit more, maybe 1/16 turn. It doesn't have to be really tight. Just gutensnug.