Replacing differential & transfer oil

[tansu]

Looked in garage and search but did not find instructions on how to replace front/rear differential oil and transfer case oil.
Does somebody have the specific link?

[Andy]

There is no formal write-up on this, just old posts that work just as good, plus tips, etc.

One of the links below talks about using a 12mm allen wrench for the front differential...it's actually a 10mm allen wrench. The changes are all very easy. Reading the threads posted below should answer all your questions.

Quantity Discussion

Procedure, Etc.

Good luck,
Andy

[delrmx01]

Are synthetics okay to use if I have a LSD ??

[John97]

Sure, just make sure the synthetic you use has the L/S additive in it, or just add it separately yourself.

[KLS]

A couple of good tips--
1) Drive to warm up the oil before you drain it--cold gear oil drains slowly and less completely. You won't get all the oil out of the rear differential, but that's OK--the new stuff is completely compatible.

2) Be sure that you can get the fill plug out before you remove the drain plug. If you drain the gear oil and then can't get the fill plug out, you're stuck! Buy the right size wrench (24 mm socket?); don't try to use a Crescent wrench and round off the head.

3) Be sure that you have a filling arrangement that works--funnel, sucker gun, tubing, whatever you need, before you drain.

4) Warm the new gear oil, hot water bath, whatever,...it'll go in faster & easier.

Ken

[Brian's Toy]

KLS,

Thanks for those pointers. I've got to remember them when I'm ready to do that service.

Brian

[BirdDog0]

Side note: Be sure that your oil has the GL-5 additive in it for the front end. It is a requirement for proper lube of the front end components (4WD coupler, bearings)...

[cappi]

I just did mine yesterday(using Mobil1) and here are a couple of extra tips...

1) Ken is right, it takes a 24mm socket for transfer case and rear end.

2) The front diff is an allen socket as previously posted but I think a T55 torx fits snugger to get it off.

3) A transfer pump to get the oil into the gearboxes is a must.


PS My fill and drain plugs were pretty easy to get off with the exception of the drain on the front differential. The darn thing cost me an hour in getting it off!

[KLS]

I'm sure a transfer pump works well, but I changed my gear oil with a combination of funnel, plastic tubing, and sucker gun....whatever works.

Ken

[cappi]

Originally posted by KLS
I'm sure a transfer pump works well, but I changed my gear oil with a combination of funnel, plastic tubing, and sucker gun....whatever works.

Ken

It's a hand pump. I got it at Autozone for $9. Works off a push/pull plunger.

[DaveS]

When I switched to synthetics in my rear differential, I also jacked up the drivers side rear to allow even more of the old oil to drain out...

[akauth]

Originally posted by DaveS
When I switched to synthetics in my rear differential, I also jacked up the drivers side rear to allow even more of the old oil to drain out...

Or pour an extra quart of synthetic in before you put the drain plug back in. This will flush a lot of the junk in the bottom out (there is some for sure) and ensure that you have 100% clean synthetic in there.

I always do a flush like that regardless as to whether it's the engine, the trans, the transfer case, or the diffs.

Just put a little new fluid in to make sure all the old stuff is gone and then put the drain plug back in and finish the fill.

Alan

[Brian's Toy]

Good point Alan!

Brian