Changing transfer case fluid HELP

[JasonF]

Hi guys,
I was out there getting set to change the transfer case fluid and found what I believe are the fill and drain plugs. The drain is marked and is obviously at the bottom. However, the fill I am not 100% sure about. I pulled the fill first and as soon as I did a decent stream of ATF came out. I plugged it back up and snapped a pic so you guys can reassure me I pulled the right plug. Why is so much coming out the fill hole? Was it overfilled? Yes, I do have the vehicle level. Maybe when it was filled the first time it was at a slightly different angle and filled a bit past the fill hole? Anyway check out the pic and let me know if the one with the socket extension sticking out of it is indeed the fill. Thanks

Jason

 

[Jason_25]

Yes that's the fill hole. Was the fluid warm at the time? Maybe it expanded?

 

[zensius]

How often should the fluid be changed? What is it? ATF?

 

[IAmTodd]

Sorry to take this off topic, but what is that round thing? I have one on the TC, and one on my rear axle!
Todd

 

[SiLenZe]

anyone know of a good writeup on changing your transfer case or tranny fluid?
all i know how to do is change the oil...

 

[FIRE and ICE]

The round mass of metal is to help dampen vibration. I have one on my rear axle also as well as a 3rd shock absorber ( part of fords beter idea to lessen vibration at ~65mph in 1st generation explorers.
The chiltons manual 1983-94 says that you should change trans case fluid at same time as tranny. In the above mentioned years it's dextron II.
method is strait forward - remove top plug and then remove bottom plug . Drain and refill until fluid flows out top plug hole. I've done this several times (130,000 miles on mine now) it's easy you Can do this easily yourself

 

[JasonF]

Thanks guys once I got my confidence back I went out and finished the job. I don't think it has ever been changed (though it might have when they did the tranny fluid before). The fluid was still bright red. Anyhow I drained it and then refilled using a turkey baster and Valvoline Maxlife Mecron ATF.

On another note the power steering, which also uses ATF, is a nasty gray color. I sucked some out of the reservoir and replaced it with the new ATF, but I think this system could badly use a total flush. Anyone have any tips on this, or how much it will cost? I don't think its something I could do myself.

Jason

 

[FIRE and ICE]

you can view this post for some suggestions

" changing power steering fluid"

Personally, I would recommend draining out what you can and refilling it several times --- seems least costly and safest method

bye the way consider yourself lucky -- I have to remove that metal balance wheel to get to my fill hole

BTW: my transfer case fluid always came out hot pink when I changed it

 

[Gregg Van]

Hmmmm?

Ok...I've looked at Jasons picture for 5 minutes now and I can't see his socket extension which should be on the fill hole...Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh *screamin cheetah wheelies*.

Where...wha' thu...?

 

[Texplorer]

Very top right hand corner of the picture.

 

[jasonb]

you'll have to scroll over most likely if your running low res or not a maximized window. its got fluid coming out of it in the pic.

 

[Gregg Van]

D'oh

Thanks

 

[mikeh]

Jason,

I changed mine at about 50K and the same thing happened to me. They overfill it a bit at the factory. Mine came out looking almost new also. I think it is worth changing every 50K or so. It's really easy to do.

mikeh

 

[jasonb]

do you guys just use a hand pump or something to fill it? i need to do mine when i quits raining! 5 days straight now.

 

[mikeh]

I just use a turkey baster with a small diameter tube stuck in it so that it has some reach. It's kind of messy but works really well.

mikeh

 

[Texplorer]

Bringing this thread back from the dead I was just wondering, I want to change my Transfer Case fluid. I have 6 quarts of AMSOIL Syn Transmission fluid laying around. I dont know if or when the transfer case fluid has been changed, should I just stick with regular tranny fluid or is it safe to go to the AMSOIL Syn tranny fluid. 112,000 miles. Thanks

 

[410Fortune]

Texplorer, the amsoil will work fine in the t case.

You MIGHT want to drain the t case and fill it up with some cheapo ATF, drive it for a couple days and drain it again, then use the Amsoil.

The T case doesnt hold that much, like 2 quarts I believe, at least on the BW1354 case like mine

 

[Texplorer]

Do they make synthetic blend tranny fluid? If they do, Ill probably fill with that, drive for a few days, and then switch to the AMSOIL Synthetic fluid. How does that sound?

 

[hsinc]

This is strange. I have posted several things about my experience with the transfer case being too full, on my 99 AWD V8. My latest is on the link below. Now I have seen several posts mentioning fluid too full. It is possible that some are checking while hot. In my case I lost about a quart of fluid, with rear end jacked up slightly for access. Is this a trend in shaft seal failures, or is something else going on that I am missing?
Harold

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=917821#post917821[/URL]