Diff and Transer Case fluids / oils and specifications...?

[Chris Saunders]

G'day...

I am a new member who joined out of simple desperation. I have a '97 UN Explorer that has done 232,000 kms - new engine at 203,000 kms.

I have a serious rear end gear change clunk if I back off the accelerator. I have read a related post on this site, but I am not as technically minded as I thought I was. Therefore, I need to start small and work up...

Anyway, my question is this - could somebody tell me the amounts (preferably in litres) and specifications that I should be looking for in order to replace the oils / fluids in both front and rear diffs, and the transfer case.

If I can at least replace these three things, then I can then look further if needed.

Many thanks.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Check the Explorer specifications page on the main forum page. As for the clunk sound, it might be a U joint.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome chris

 

[Chris Saunders]

Welcome to this forum! Check the Explorer specifications page on the main forum page. As for the clunk sound, it might be a U joint.

Hey, thanks for replying.

I have checked the U-Joints and they seem fine. What I am concerned about is movement of the driveshaft coming out of the back of the transfer case - should there be any movement at all? The movement is up and down, and it moves about 2mm at a guess - quite distinct. I was thinking transfer case bearings, but I hope not. That would equal more $$$, and the wife would be miffed.

As I am relatively new to all of this home mechanics (on cars, at least) I really appreciate any advice.

Cheers.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I don't think that it should have any movement other than the movement of a U joint. Check the sticky threads in the transmission section for information on rebuilding the transfer case.

 

[Chris Saunders]

I have decided that I am going to drain and refill both diffs, relay gasket sealer on both, and service the transfer case - that's about the limit of my mechanical expertise at this stage.

Stay tuned - I might give the AT a go in the near future. With luck, I won't end up swimming in new oil on the floor.

Cheers.

 

[Cobraguy]

I wouldn't waste the time or money on the transfer case fluids. Find out what's wrong in there. You shouldn't have that kind of movement.

Also check slip joints for your clunk. Is your rear driveline a slip fit into the transfer case or is it flanged? There is a good chance that's your clunk. Better fix it before something real expensive happens...

 

[Chris Saunders]

Thanks for the advice, but to be honest - I really don't know what I am looking for. I guess I could take a few photos, put them in here, and have you guys offer your opinions on what type, how to pull apart etc.

At the end of the day, the Ford dealer had a look just two days ago. After charging me AU$50 for his time, he quoted me AU$2800 for a reconditioned transfer case, fitted. He said that there was a problem but nobody that I have spoken to here in Australia really knows anything about the Explorers and the drivelines on them. That's not to say that there aren't people out there who know, just not here in Wagga (a smaller country NSW town).

Also, as I have alluded to before, I am more of a motorbike type of bloke. I owned a bike well before owning a car, and I still have one now. But the fact remains that, if you put me under an Explorer with a ratchet set and a filter remover, I can change the oil and filter. Anything else is moving well outside my comfort zone.

I have found some excellent threads in this site that, when I get the courage up, I could possibly do some more major work. But until I can spend less than 80mins trying to figure out the correct diff oil in Supercheap Auto, I am a little reluctant. By the way, I bought Castrol 80W90 diff oil and a bottle of oil stabiliser - I hope that is right. That's for both transfer case and diffs. Plus a tube of gasket glue - somebody told me they don't have cork gaskets...?

Anyway, keep up the excellent work and keep rolling me the advice and suggestions.

Cheers.

 

[Chris Saunders]

As a footnote - I paid AU$11,000 for the car initially with 183,000kms on the clock (probably too much to begin with). Since then, about three years ago, I have completely replaced the engine due to the cam chain adjusters - AU$6,300, and I have replaced the suspension with Old Man Emu all round and replaced all brake discs and pads - AU$2,300.

I was seriously considering driving this car until it bites the dust, and then selling off any salvageable parts. It now has 232,000kms on the clock.

It just seems like major fix after major fix - I hope that you see my dilemma.