Transfer Case Service?

[nangwalt]

I've hit 50,000 miles and my owners manual says "drain the transfer case and refill it." Can anyone give me a quick diy on how to do this? What all to drain like to I drain it at the transfer case, front and rear diff? I don't know that much about 4wd. Also, how do I fill it back up and how full? I know that the filler hole is on the side so what kind of tool or what do I use to get it in there? Thanks guys.

[Dave]

I have mine done by the dealer due to time constraints but I would recommend doing the tranfer case at least, tranny fluid next and axles last. The Transfer case uses a special GM only fluid. I heard the tranny fluid can be very messy.

[potts200]

I just did my transfer case for the first time and it wasn't too bad. The drain and fill plugs on my case were 3/8 hex bits. You'll need a drain pan, the bit, the lube, and some sort of fill device. Some people use a turkey baster or you can buy hand pumps from the auto parts store. I bought a tube that threaded onto the lube bottle and squeezed the fluid in but it wasn't very effective. Not much clearance underneath to hold the bottle upside down and squeeze. You'll also need two quarts of Auto-Trak II transfer case fluid; I bought three quarts from the local dealer just in case I spilled some. I drove the truck in 4WD just to get the sediments stirred up so they will drain before I started. Just get under there and remove the drain plug and catch the fluid in the pan. Give it about twenty minutes to drain. Replace the drain plug and then remove the fill plug and refill the case with two quarts of fluid, it will be dark blue. Replace the fill plug and you'll be good. The Haynes manual is cheap but it does have some decent picutres to help identify the transfer case and is good for general maintenance information. Good Luck!

[Bearcat]

Transfer case fluid change is a piece of cake if you've got a jack and stands. I bought a grease gun type device to pump the fluid in. Be careful of warming up the cases prior to changing. Expansion of the case and plug makes them more difficult to remove. Rounded the hex on my front diff drain plug that way. Waiting for a new plug to fix this weekend.

[nangwalt]

Do I drain just at the transfer case or do I have to do the front and rear diff too?

[Bearcat]

You could just do the transfer case, but good practice would be to do all three. Differentials use 75W90, not the Auto Trak II.