| ekaxel |
Changed Tranfer Case oil today
First the overview - on a difficulty scale of 1-10 (10 most), removing the filler plug - 7, removing drain plug and filling with new oil, replacing drain plug - 4, replacing the filler plug - 11.
Details - Filler plug is up behind the cat. Getting it out is not too bad once you remove the transmission bolt directly below it. Drained about 6 oz oil, probably refilled with 9-10 (i know, overfilled) Amsoil synthetic 75w90 gear oil. Had to make a right angle steel tube to access filler hole with my suction gun. Filled to overflow. It is almost impossible to put the filler plug back in unless you have VERY small hands, just luck I got it after about 30 minutes of play. I think the only tool that would make this easier is one of those remote trigger box wrenches you see in the cheap tool stores and never buy.
Drain plug is 10mm hex key, filler plug is 12mm box wrench.
Noted that there was thread sealer on both plugs. Looked like a silicone. I sealed the drain plug with Permatex form a gasket, didn't bother on the filler.
Bottom line - let the dealer do it! |
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| Eric L. |
Nice writeup. I tried to do the transfer case for my 30,000 service but for the life of me could not get the filler bolt off (fortunately I knew ahead of time NOT to remove the drain bolt beforehand).
I guess I'll crawl underneath to see if I can find that transmission bolt you mention - clearance to the filler bolt is definitely very tight. I purchased a tool called Proform Socket Assist, which lets you use sockets in tight spaces. I couldn't even get my 12mm long handle ratcheting box wrench in place for any leverage. |
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| njjoe |
ekaxel-
I truly appreciate your advice... especially your last line.
-njjoe |
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| ekaxel |
| The wrench I referred to has a box on one end and a T-handle on the other. Just put the box on the bolt and turn the T-handle and it ratchets. Good for putting it back on. You have to ues a standard long handle box to loosen and tighten. The transmission bolt has to come out to give you enough swing to work the plug. The tough part is being able to hold it to get it started when putting it back in. |
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| Eric L. |
quote:
Originally posted by ekaxel
The wrench I referred to has a box on one end and a T-handle on the other. Just put the box on the bolt and turn the T-handle and it ratchets. Good for putting it back on. You have to ues a standard long handle box to loosen and tighten. The transmission bolt has to come out to give you enough swing to work the plug. The tough part is being able to hold it to get it started when putting it back in.
I know exactly the wrench you speak of - and yeah I picked it up at one of those discount tool stores for about $10. Its a fat wrench head though, and I doubt it would clear that small space between the filler bolt and pre-cat, at least with the tool I have. |
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| ekaxel |
| There is about 1 1/2" between the plug head and the cat (in mine at least). |
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| dborla01 |
| I took our MO to the shop that sold us our extended warranty and they did the synthetic thing for us along with replacing an 02 sensor and flushing the rad, etc. Alot cheaper than Nassan. Darrell. |
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| Eric L. |
quote:
Originally posted by ekaxel
There is about 1 1/2" between the plug head and the cat (in mine at least).
I gave it another shot this afternoon. Removed the transmission bolt you referred to, and managed to get a 12mm box wrench onto the fill bolt. It wouldn't budge. Even took a mallet to it after spraying with liquid wrench, still no dice. I guess I'll let the dealer handle it (grrrrr). |
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| Enforcer |
| Dang, what'd they do loctite it in? |
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| njjoe |
quote:
Originally posted by Eric L.
I gave it another shot this afternoon. Removed the transmission bolt you referred to, and managed to get a 12mm box wrench onto the fill bolt. It wouldn't budge. Even took a mallet to it after spraying with liquid wrench, still no dice. I guess I'll let the dealer handle it (grrrrr).
Eric-
What makes you think the dealer will have any more luck than you did? He may simply let it alone and say he did it.
-njjoe |
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| Eric L. |
quote:
Originally posted by njjoe
Eric-
What makes you think the dealer will have any more luck than you did? He may simply let it alone and say he did it.
-njjoe
Heh you are as cynical as I am. I'd more likely take it to a reputable local shop and insist they use the Amsoil synthetic I purchased for the job. |
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| Eric L. |
quote:
Originally posted by Enforcer
Dang, what'd they do loctite it in?
Almost - there is definitely thread sealant on those bolts - I think the FSM recommends permatex blue, which is a "medium strength" thread locker. |
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| ekaxel |
IMHO: I used it, but the sealant is a little overkill on a non pressurized thread. When you cinch those babies down, being a tapered pipe thread, they aren't going anywhere.
As i said originally, it looked like a silicone sealant in there when I took it apart. |
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| Enforcer |
| Yeah silicone is usually not that tough. Erics sounds way too tight. |
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