greasing axles and changing T-case fluid

[alphabets13]

are these tought to do for first-timers? opr should i just go get it done by someone else. i want to do this before the snow comes. and is there a lot to it? will a haynes show me everything i need to know? thanks.

 

[JDraper]

It's easy to do, but the axle doesn't get "greased". The gear fluid gets changed. To change the gear fluid, you remove the diffy cover and let it drain into a pan. Clean off the mating surfaces and re-install the cover using rtv gasket maker. Then you unscrew the fill plug (up by the driveshaft) and fill it with the proper gear lube until it is level with the bottom of the fill plug hole.

Xfer case is easier. Remove drain plug and empty case. put drain plug back in. Remove fill plug and fill to bottom of fill plug hole with Mercon ATF.

 

[alphabets13]

ok, when you say diffy cover, i guess the front differential? i recently had the rear differential fluid changed and filled because it had a small leak. thats all fixed now.

 

[JDraper]

There are two ways to change the fluid in the front axle. First is to drop the axle out of the truck and then take the front cover off, or go buy a siphon pump ($12) and suck it out through the fill hole. Option #2 is mucho easier.

There are no grease fittings on the X from the factory. If you have replaced the balljoints, they may have grease fittings, depending upon the mfg. The front bearings are a sealed unit, so you really can't grease them. The CV joints can be re-greased, but if your cv boots are ok, I wouldn't mess with it.

 

[BradE.]

The Transfer case takes regular Mercon, not Mercon V. It holds about 2 quarts.

My 97 X is spec'ed for Mercon V in the tranny, but says Mercon ONLY for the T-Case.

 

[JDraper]

Yep, straight Mercon it is. My bad. That's what I get from posting from memory. Bottom line is check your manual for the proper fluids for your truck. It does vary over the years, especially when it comes to the axles.