Transfer Case Drain & U Joints

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Jan 2, 2009 | 09:07 PM

boatnfish

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 122

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Transfer Case Drain & U Joints

Looks like I need to replace the front u joint on the rear drive shaft as it rotates smooth in one direction, but not the other.

What are the odds that I will have difficulty getting the drain or fill plug out of the transfer case? The truck is a 2001 with 150K+ and the fluid has never been changed.

It looks like it will be much easier to remove the 4 bolts holding the skid plate on to get to the transfer case.

I figure while I have the drive shaft out I might as well change the transfer case I will probably lose some while the shaft is out.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Jan 2, 2009 | 09:59 PM

dadlovesfords

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 201

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From: Colorado

Definately time to change TC fluid. One of the first things listed in the maint. schedule from Ford with 150000mi. Shouldn't be a biggie removing plugs. Don't apply slow steady preasure , but try and break loose in one quick motion.
Make sure you mark the yoke /shaft when you remove U Joint. If not installed the same as it came apart , it can cause the driveshaft to be out of balance and vibrate.
If it was me , I'd change fluid in the axles too.

Jan 3, 2009 | 05:47 AM

vze2sgxa

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 467

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From: Where the war is...

Remove the fill plug first, then the drain plug (obvious reason). When you reinstall both plugs, coat the threads with anti-seize.

Jan 3, 2009 | 01:05 PM

b2_tim

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Joined: Apr 2003

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Once off not problem after that

I wheel my 4x4 a lot so remove plugs every couple of years, you bust it loose for the first time and you shouldn't have a problem after that. I like all the ideas suggested, but the anti-sieze. Not necessary really.

I think Ford welded my F150 diff plug in, that sucker is stupid tight.

Jan 3, 2009 | 02:57 PM

boatnfish

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 122

Likes: 1

Thanks for the info. I was able to break free both the fill and drain plugs on the transfer case.

Looks like that will be my project next weekend provided the weather is decent. Today I purchased everything needed.

Is there a specific torque for the transfer case plugs, or just snug them up?

Jan 3, 2009 | 04:34 PM

vze2sgxa

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 467

Likes: 1

From: Where the war is...

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2_tim

On every repair job I've done on my 2000 Expy in the last few years since my last deployment, including regular maintentance, I've used anti-sieze on threaded bolts except where explicitly prohibited, mainly because I'll be back in there repairing it again someday and don't want to deal with stripped bolt heads, diff plugs, spark plugs, etc. I prefer a better-safe-than-sorry approach; my experience in Iraq trying to keep combat vehicles from corroding and bolts breaking taught me to use military grade anti-sieze liberally, mainly cause there ain't no 'stealerships' out there to rescue you. However, I can understand why some might feel it's overkill on every threaded bolt for a civilian vehicle.