Transfer casing fluid??

[Foxdiddy]

Hi guys. I'm new... please be gentle.

I just got a new-to-me 2012 Explorer. We love it so far and have no issues with it. The vehicle wasn't abused and came with a complete maintenance record from the dealership (previous owner had everything done, all the time, as suggested). Which is nice to have. I've had rear dif. issues in our previous car. I don't want that happening again. My mechanic suggested changing out the fluids in the transfer casings every 50,000 kms as a cheap preventative measure. I have no issues with that. My guy said to pick up fluid at the dealership and bring it to him and he'll do the change for me while he's taking care of something cosmetic tomorrow. Manual says to use "Premium Rear Axle Lubricant" which is 80W-90 SAE gear lube. Does anyone know if the front casing is independent of the transmission or does it have its own reservoir? If it's on its own, do you know what the fluid is for it? The manual doesn't have any info.

Thanks.

 

[transman304]

The transmision and transfer case share fluid. Which uses Motorcraft LV fluid. Approx 12 quarts.The only other fluid is for the rear differential that uses the fluid you mentioned 80-90 SAE. 2.5 pints approx.

 

[Foxdiddy]

The transmision and transfer case share fluid. Which uses Motorcraft LV fluid. Approx 12 quarts.The only other fluid is for the rear differential that uses the fluid you mentioned 80-90 SAE. 2.5 pints approx.

Awesome. I'll get 1.1 litres of the rear fluid and have my guy change it out while the vehicle is up. The transmission was done at 52,000 kms. So it won't need to be done again for another 40,000 kms or so.

 

[peterk9]

Hi guys. I'm new... please be gentle.

I just got a new-to-me 2012 Explorer. We love it so far and have no issues with it. The vehicle wasn't abused and came with a complete maintenance record from the dealership (previous owner had everything done, all the time, as suggested). Which is nice to have. I've had rear dif. issues in our previous car. I don't want that happening again. My mechanic suggested changing out the fluids in the transfer casings every 50,000 kms as a cheap preventative measure. I have no issues with that. My guy said to pick up fluid at the dealership and bring it to him and he'll do the change for me while he's taking care of something cosmetic tomorrow. Manual says to use "Premium Rear Axle Lubricant" which is 80W-90 SAE gear lube. Does anyone know if the front casing is independent of the transmission or does it have its own reservoir? If it's on its own, do you know what the fluid is for it? The manual doesn't have any info.

Thanks.

Welcome to the Forum.
When you mention "transfer casing" are you referring to the PTU (Power Transfer Unit)? It is supposed to be a 'lifetime' fluid but others have changed it. I think that uses a different fluid. There is a thread on that. http://www.explorerforum.com/xenfor...r-diff-fluid-change-2011-explorer-xlt.446413/
I haven't read anything in the 5th gen. forum that it shares fluid with the transmission before seeing the above post.

Peter

 

[transman304]

Peterk9 you sir are correct on it being separate. The fluid Ford recommends for it is XY-75W-140-QL. Rear axle lubricant. 0.56 at. Don't know what unit I was thinking of. Some models have a drain plug and some don't. The ones without will require removal of the PTU.

 

[Slorch]

The ones without will require removal of the PTU.

All have a fill plug, and it is possible to change the fluid on those that do not have a drain plug using a fluid transfer pump. You can get "most" of the fluid out this way, but obviously having a drain plug is preferable. There are a few YouTube videos that show the process on a Taurus SHO, which has the same "Drain Plug-less" PTU.

 

[Foxdiddy]

Yeah ... so I learned a few things (glad I did) through this. As it's been pointed out the front transfer PTU has a reservoir that is separate from the Transmission. My guy checked the fluid in there, it's all clean. The rear needs a pump to remove the fluid or else you have to remove the whole face plate to drain it (1 hour job). My Explorer only has 65,000 kms on it. It doesn't tow (doesn't even have a hitch), is operated basically on the highway and in suburban traffic. Isn't abused. Fluid came out milky white. It was going and needed to be changed. I've had issues with other vehicles in the past and the whole "lifetime fluid" claim before. That led to a rear diff. seizing up solid. I'll never believe that again. I'm in agreement with my mechanic when he suggests changing out that rear transfer casing fluid every 60,000 kms. or so. Cheap job, less than $90 all in and at least you know your rear gears are being properly lubricated.

Just my experience.

Thanks for the replys ...

 

[peterk9]

Yeah ... so I learned a few things (glad I did) through this. As it's been pointed out the front transfer PTU has a reservoir that is separate from the Transmission. My guy checked the fluid in there, it's all clean. The rear needs a pump to remove the fluid or else you have to remove the whole face plate to drain it (1 hour job). My Explorer only has 65,000 kms on it. It doesn't tow (doesn't even have a hitch), is operated basically on the highway and in suburban traffic. Isn't abused. Fluid came out milky white. It was going and needed to be changed. I've had issues with other vehicles in the past and the whole "lifetime fluid" claim before. That led to a rear diff. seizing up solid. I'll never believe that again. I'm in agreement with my mechanic when he suggests changing out that rear transfer casing fluid every 60,000 kms. or so. Cheap job, less than $90 all in and at least you know your rear gears are being properly lubricated.

Just my experience.

Thanks for the replys ...

If I recall correctly, I think the 2016 and 2017 Explorers now have an actual PTU drain plug.

 

[CDW6212R]

Yeah ... so I learned a few things (glad I did) through this. As it's been pointed out the front transfer PTU has a reservoir that is separate from the Transmission. My guy checked the fluid in there, it's all clean. The rear needs a pump to remove the fluid or else you have to remove the whole face plate to drain it (1 hour job). My Explorer only has 65,000 kms on it. It doesn't tow (doesn't even have a hitch), is operated basically on the highway and in suburban traffic. Isn't abused. Fluid came out milky white. It was going and needed to be changed. I've had issues with other vehicles in the past and the whole "lifetime fluid" claim before. That led to a rear diff. seizing up solid. I'll never believe that again. I'm in agreement with my mechanic when he suggests changing out that rear transfer casing fluid every 60,000 kms. or so. Cheap job, less than $90 all in and at least you know your rear gears are being properly lubricated.

Just my experience.

Thanks for the replys ...

For the rear axle, use synthetic gear oil, 75W-140. I suggest Amsoil, it's much better than everything else, and it's cheaper than the other high end brands. Severe Gear 75W-140 runs about $13 a quart, plus shipping and taxes. That's a lot better than Ford's $25 a quart version.

 

[peterk9]

For the rear axle, use synthetic gear oil, 75W-140. I suggest Amsoil, it's much better than everything else, and it's cheaper than the other high end brands. Severe Gear 75W-140 runs about $13 a quart, plus shipping and taxes. That's a lot better than Ford's $25 a quart version.

How does that compare to the factory recommended Premium Rear Axle Lubricant" which is 80W-90 SAE gear lube in term of lubrication/protection?

 

[CDW6212R]

How does that compare to the factory recommended Premium Rear Axle Lubricant" which is 80W-90 SAE gear lube in term of lubrication/protection?

It's a good bit better than the OEM fluids. Amsoil makes three viscosity ranges, in two levels each. The Severe Gear is the best, and it runs a few dollars a quart more than the OEM level they make. The 2nd gen Explorer 8.8's call for the 140 hot viscosity, do the later models not call for that now?

I like the Severe Gear 75-110 for my Lincoln 8.8, and I've used their 75W-90 for the front differentials in my Explorers. I haven't priced their lower level gear oils, I've just noticed they have them and the base prices are listed among the descriptions. You can get the desired viscosity you need for your vehicle, or choose it based on usage. Al Franklin here gained fuel economy with his choices of synthetics, he leaned to the thinner side for gear oil. I usually go the other way, I'm hard on the gas pedal.

 

[peterk9]

It's a good bit better than the OEM fluids. Amsoil makes three viscosity ranges, in two levels each. The Severe Gear is the best, and it runs a few dollars a quart more than the OEM level they make. The 3nd gen Explorer 8.8's call for the 140 hot viscosity, do the later models not call for that now?

Hi Don. There is no mention of 'severe' or 'hot viscosity' gear oil in regards to the 5th gen Explorer. I'm guessing it may be due to a different powertrain setup.

Peter

 

[CDW6212R]

I'm sorry for my unclear post above. I meant my 2nd gen truck, and the Severe Gear is Amsoil's product name for their best gear oil. The 140 figure of the 74W-140 is the viscosity when the oil is hot, like 20W-50 oil is thicker than 5W-20 oil. I'm surprised that Ford has changed the requirement for the gear oil. It may be that the oil standards have improved enough that the thinner oils can do the job. Thinner gear oil will save some gas, but it needs to be able to withstand conditions, for 100k miles etc.

I suggest using the matching recommended gear oil weight, and choose the best brand for it. Amsoil is arguably the best, but it takes days to order it and be shipped to you. I can get it in a couple of days usually, they fulfill orders with many suppliers around the country.

I received an order last month, for their break in oil, a case of their OEM level synthetic oil($56ish+tax), and four more quarts of Severe Gear. Over $100 was free shipping for the Memorial Day week, it was around $17 saved for that order.