Changing fluid in transfer case
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Changing fluid in transfer case
I need to change the fluid in the transfer case and have never done it. I see that there is a drain and fill plug so im assuming that its pretty easy but am unsure of the fluid needed. Is it regular oil or something special. Any advise would help. Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 662
Likes: 2
From: CO
'04 manual calls out 2 quarts of Mercon ATF for the transfer case.
I'm no mechanic, but I've never seen a transfer case that didn't have a drain plug and a fill plug.
Getting the fluid out is probably easy. Getting new fluid in may be a real pain without a fluid pump and enough tubing to get up to the fill plug. Auto parts stores usually carry a little hand pump that screws on to oil jugs that costs less than $10 (looks like a big liquid soap dispenser pump) and is well worth it IMO.
I'm no mechanic, but I've never seen a transfer case that didn't have a drain plug and a fill plug.
Getting the fluid out is probably easy. Getting new fluid in may be a real pain without a fluid pump and enough tubing to get up to the fill plug. Auto parts stores usually carry a little hand pump that screws on to oil jugs that costs less than $10 (looks like a big liquid soap dispenser pump) and is well worth it IMO.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
I did my 04 very easy drain it from the bottom plug re fill in the upper plug I bought a small pump that screws onto a 1 qt. bottle it uses mercon ATF and it will start to run out the fill hole at about 2 qts. then put the plug in and u are finished.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 04 FX4 Lineman
I did my 04 very easy drain it from the bottom plug re fill in the upper plug I bought a small pump that screws onto a 1 qt. bottle it uses mercon ATF and it will start to run out the fill hole at about 2 qts. then put the plug in and u are finished.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 968
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, SC
Originally Posted by O1COBRA
I need to change the fluid in the transfer case and have never done it. I see that there is a drain and fill plug so im assuming that its pretty easy but am unsure of the fluid needed. Is it regular oil or something special. Any advise would help. Thanks
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 968
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, SC
Thanks...I guess it cant hurt with how easy it is to do. I am also at 55k and dont use the 4x4 much. I am thinking I am going to flush the tranny too because of towing.
Last edited by black04lariat; Jan 19, 2008 at 10:24 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
I changed the fluid in my t-case a while back.
It is a very easy process, this one has a drain plug (not all do).
Drain the fluid, it won't take long.
I keep the gear oil containers b/c they make it easy to do jobs like this.
I was at wal-mart, and saw some oil on sale. They had two quarts of Mobile 1 synthetic Mercron V for $2 a quart. Well, not enough to change the fluid in the tranny, but perfect for the t-case.
I just put the fluid in the gear oil container and put the tip in the fill hole and squeezed. Pretty easy, then did it again, and I was finish.
The old fluid was just a little dark, but didn't look bad.... But it didn't hurt!
It is a very easy process, this one has a drain plug (not all do).
Drain the fluid, it won't take long.
I keep the gear oil containers b/c they make it easy to do jobs like this.
I was at wal-mart, and saw some oil on sale. They had two quarts of Mobile 1 synthetic Mercron V for $2 a quart. Well, not enough to change the fluid in the tranny, but perfect for the t-case.
I just put the fluid in the gear oil container and put the tip in the fill hole and squeezed. Pretty easy, then did it again, and I was finish.
The old fluid was just a little dark, but didn't look bad.... But it didn't hurt!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 18
Now this is speculation, but if the transfer case layout/function is similar to a Jeep system, the T-case is working all the time, because the rear driveline comes out of it. So, whether or not you use your 4WD, the fluid will need changing. I used synthetic ATF + an additive (MT-10) in mine and changed it about every 15K. I did this because the first time I changed it the oil was brown. After changing to the special mix, the fluid still looked good after 15K and I never had any trouble with that T-case.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 1saxman
Now this is speculation, but if the transfer case layout/function is similar to a Jeep system, the T-case is working all the time, because the rear driveline comes out of it. So, whether or not you use your 4WD, the fluid will need changing. I used synthetic ATF + an additive (MT-10) in mine and changed it about every 15K. I did this because the first time I changed it the oil was brown. After changing to the special mix, the fluid still looked good after 15K and I never had any trouble with that T-case.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Hey guys. I changed the fluid today and used penzoil mercon V. After doing it I took a look at the manual and it mentioned that mercon and mercon V are not interchangable. It said on the bottle that it was ok to use in current ford trannies but now im starting to worry. I know that some of you said that you used mercon V. Im I ok here or should I be making another run the the store for mercon?