View Poll Results: How often should I change differential and transfer case fluid?

Never

7.69%

25K

26.92%

50K

46.15%

100K

19.23%

Voters: 52. You may not vote on this poll

Differential and Transfer Case Poll

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Dec 21, 2006 | 07:10 PM

#16

Ronin007

Posting Guru

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 2,148

Likes: 6

From: Western New York

Quote:

Originally Posted by Customz

I know some owner's manuals say maintenance isn't necessary or do not list a spec.

I use my truck offroad everyday and engage the transfer case at least 3x/week.

1/3 of my 30k miles/yr are off-highway.

How often should I change the fluids?

Because of how you use your truck I would almost think every 10,000 mile unless you know you got water into the axles while off roading. Then change it immediately. IMO off roading really takes a toll on a vehicle more so than plowing or towing.

Jan 2, 2007 | 07:51 PM

#17

Customz

Thread Starter

Postmaster

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 2,508

Likes: 0

From: Utopia

I did the transfer case yesterday @ 30k and the fluid didn't look to bad. It looked red with a slight purple tint. Looked very clean like tranny fluid.

Had a bit of trouble refilling the TC cause my funnels were too big so I used a turkey baster. PITA. It was a bit messy but now I have been through it.

I also did the fuel filters. The truck seemed like it was laboring today and shifting weird in tow haul. It really slammed the torque convertor a couple times. On the next start it wasn't as bad. I put a little more fluid in it today because I believe it was a tad underfilled.

I highly recommend a large piece of cardboard to catch spillage for the TC procedure. Don't do it on your driveway either.

Santa didn't bring the mag-hytecs for Christmas so I am letting the diffs go a bit longer.

Here is the link for the TC procedure:

http://www.guzzle.rbmicro.com/transfer.html

Thanks for finding it Jeff

Last edited by Customz; Jan 2, 2007 at 07:57 PM.

Jan 2, 2007 | 09:28 PM

#18

Ace!

Cargo Master

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 2,751

Likes: 3

From: So Oregon

I would do it every 15k, based on how much you say you use it. It may be overkill, BUT, I think it's relatively inexpensive insurance, unless you use synthetics (then it gets pricey).

I had a Jeep that was used offroad only, except for the drive to and from the trails and did the diffs every 5k miles and the transfer case every 15k. The fluid never looked new when it came out, although it never looked "bad" so I think it was worth doing it that often.

If your fluids didn't look bad though, you're probably doing it at a good time. 30k is probably more realistic than 15k.