Transfer case lubrication

[pridbor]

We have just all convinced our new friend Serbian Dude that he should get his CVT fluid changed. In the process somebody mentioned that he had the transfer case fluid changed and the differentials too.

So here's my questions: Are there 2 differentials or is the front integrated with the transmission?

and what fluids are used in these? I use synthetic gear oil in all my other applications but need to know what "weight" for these.

Any drawings showing where the filler and drain locations are located would be received with many thanks

Thanks in advance.

[biggijohn]

There are two differentials. Front and rear. The rear is easy to locate and looks easy to service provided you can get the fill plug loosened. (Do a search, there is a thread, I think, by bikerjohn, who had done this service).
When servicing, always loosen the fill plug first, because if you are unable to break loose the fill plug, you might as well take it to the service professional of your choice. The front differential is located above the heat sheild near the transfer case.
I just had both differentials fluid changed at my dealer for $110.00 for both. The dealer had originally quoted me $110.00 each, but since he owed me a favor I asked him to do both for the $110.00. He obliged. He charged me for 4 quarts of oil (2 quarts per differential at $13.50/Qt plus labor of $56.00.
The weight of the fluid is 80W-90.

[nitely]

Originally Posted by biggijohn

I just had both differentials fluid changed at my dealer for $110.00 for both. The dealer had originally quoted me $110.00 each, but since he owed me a favor I asked him to do both for the $110.00. He obliged. He charged me for 4 quarts of oil (2 quarts per differential at $13.50/Qt plus labor of $56.00.
The weight of the fluid is 80W-90.

I don't see any favor given here man....the TC and rear diff capacity can be covered with one quart of 80w-90 gear oil. I have changed both before. .55 liter for the rear diff and .35 liter for the TC. Not a whole lot of fluid in those...

[Serbian_Dude]

Since no one in my town knows nothing about cvt and transfer case , i have to go to the dealership to check my transfer case fluid ...
Pridbor , u could convince me to almost anything on my MO , because i really wanna take a good care of it...

[biggijohn]

Nitey-nite have you ever changed the front differential oil?? How much oil there?
I will follow-up with the service manager on your statement.
If I have been overcharged then I will call them on it.
I'll have to verify with the service manual.
Thanks.

[biggijohn]

OK here's what happened.
Dealer credited me for 2 of the four quarts at $13.50 ea (dealer said "I'll credit it on your next service visit". I said,"There won't be a next service visit-credit my card"!)
Dealer said it should have just been 1qt for the front and one quart for the rear differential.
Service adviser stated front differential is separate from CVT.
Still suspicious of that though.
Fluid chart does not list a "front" differential, just the rear.
Thanks for the tip Nitely.

[Eric L.]

There appears to be some confusion here. The facts:

The differential is what allows the two front wheels to turn at different speeds - that would integrated with the transmission, and uses Nissan NS2 CVT fluid.

The AWD Murano however has in addition to that
1) Front transfer case, uses 80w90 fluid
which is connected via the prop shaft to
2) Rear differential, which also uses 80w90 fluid

The front takes less than half a quart and the rear takes about a quart.

[biggijohn]

Eric,
If I understand what your saying... The front differential is part of the CVT, hence it uses NS2 fluid.
The TC is separate and uses the gear oil. The rear differential uses gear oil.
So...if I had a CVT replaced by the dealer, the front differential gets new NS2 by default.
Conclusion---The dealer cheated me by charging me for 80W-90 gear oil for the front differential when I unwittingly asked him to service "bothfrontandback" differentials during the CVT replacement.
OR
the front differential is separate as well, but still uses NS2.
Either way he boned me.

[nitely]

OK the front differential, transmission and CVT are all one and the same thing that uses NS2 fluid with 10.6 quarts capacity. The TC and rear differential that uses the same gear oil has the capacity of .35 liter and .55 liter respectively = less than 1 quart. The dealer may have overcharged you for the TC and rear diff fluid but I am sure he did not charge you for the CVT fluid because that is $20/quart. And you need atleast 6 quarts to do a cvt fluid drain and refill. Which is not necessary with your new CVT. So even when you told the dealer to change the front diff fluid, I'm pretty sure that its the TC that is being referred to.

[Eric L.]

Agree with nitely - there are two AWD parts that use 80w90 gear oil that should be serviced together - the front transfer case, and the rear differential. Sounds like both were done and the dealer just used a generic fluid amount and charged you for that "quantity" - the shop probably does other SUVs which have larger more heavy duty 4WD/AWD components and use more fluid - most Nissan dealers I've been to do not distinguish between doing a transfer/differential service on a Murano vs say a Pathfinder.

[biggijohn]

Originally Posted by Eric L.

Agree with nitely - there are two AWD parts that use 80w90 gear oil that should be serviced together - the front transfer case, and the rear differential. Sounds like both were done and the dealer just used a generic fluid amount and charged you for that "quantity" - the shop probably does other SUVs which have larger more heavy duty 4WD/AWD components and use more fluid - most Nissan dealers I've been to do not distinguish between doing a transfer/differential service on a Murano vs say a Pathfinder.

Thanks guys. You've educated me and opened my eyes.

Bottom line is they got me.

9/22/11: During CVT replacement I requested a TC service.
Invoice said they used ATFextronIII (2@$7.74) Two pints??? Only uses 5/8 pint!!
[Is Dextron III comparable to 80W-90]????

10/27/11: I requested front and rear differential service.
There they charged me for 4 quarts of 80W-90 (two qts per differential).
But of course I know now the front diff didn't need service and doesn't use 80W-90.
And two quarts??? Rear diff only uses 1-1/8th pint.

They got it all jacked up!
Time for a one-on-one with the service manager.
Thanks again for the info.

[Eric L.]

The CVT only takes NS2 CVT fluid. It cannot use normal ATF. The front transfer case uses 80w90, not Dextron III.

Originally Posted by biggijohn

Thanks guys. You've educated me and opened my eyes.

Bottom line is they got me.

9/22/11: During CVT replacement I requested a TC service.
Invoice said they used ATFextronIII (2@$7.74) Two pints??? Only uses 5/8 pint!!
[Is Dextron III comparable to 80W-90]????

10/27/11: I requested front and rear differential service.
There they charged me for 4 quarts of 80W-90 (two qts per differential).
But of course I know now the front diff didn't need service and doesn't use 80W-90.
And two quarts??? Rear diff only uses 1-1/8th pint.

They got it all jacked up!
Time for a one-on-one with the service manager.
Thanks again for the info.

[biggijohn]

That's probably why I still feel a "roughness" during exceleration.
The TC is not properly lubricated.

[Eric L.]

Originally Posted by biggijohn

That's probably why I still feel a "roughness" during exceleration.
The TC is not properly lubricated.

Sounds like your shop is using a generic service plan for your vehicle and not one that is Murano specific. I would get the fluid swapped out for proper 80w90 immediately since a failed transfer case will also damage the CVT.

[biggijohn]

Originally Posted by Eric L.

Sounds like your shop is using a generic service plan for your vehicle and not one that is Murano specific. I would get the fluid swapped out for proper 80w90 immediately since a failed transfer case will also damage the CVT.

That's what's CRAZY. All service has been done by Nissan service department!!!!