How to change differential fluids and transfer case fluid

Hi guys -

Well after 4 years of a shudder free transfer case, the shudder is back. The last time I had this problem the encoder motor needed to be replaced, hopefully that's not the problem this time and that fluid changes will fix the problem.

This time around I want to change the fluids in the front and rear diff's as well as the transfer case. I'm sure it's not terribly difficult but I've never done this and am unsure about locations of the drain plugs and fill holes.

Can anyone help me out with this? I'd rather do this myself and not spend the money at the dealer or a jiffy lube type place.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

I saw this link below your post under "similar threads", I really like that new feature here. It's for a 2000 but should be the same for yours.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=213771

I saw this link below your post under "similar threads", I really like that new feature here. It's for a 2000 but should be the same for yours.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=213771

Thanks, Eric. Changed fluids in both diffs and the transfer case today. The front diff and transfer case are extremely easy to change, the rear, not as much, I couldn't locate a drain plug so I ended up just taking it to jiffy lube for the rear diff.

The front diff was nearly bone dry, not good. Flushed it out with clean fluid and it took nearly 64 oz of new gear oil before it was at the proper fill level.

The transfer case fluid seemed fairly clean and did not look contaminated at all, but couldn't hurt to have new fluid in there since it was last changed about 40-50k miles ago.

Hopefully this will cure the shudder problem, need to drive it around some more and do the low speed tight turn test to see what happens.

Next will be to change the transmission fluid. Will have to investigate how to do that. I didn't spot the pan or drain plug for that when I was under the truck today..

You drop the pan, replace the filter, reinstall the pan then fill with new fluid.
After I did the '92, once a year I'd draw out a quart through the dipstick tube then add new fluid to the full mark hot. After about 4 years, the fluid was bright red again.
It just turned over 192K a week ago....which is nearly half of the miles Eric's has.

You drop the pan, replace the filter, reinstall the pan then fill with new fluid.
After I did the '92, once a year I'd draw out a quart through the dipstick tube then add new fluid to the full mark hot. After about 4 years, the fluid was bright red again.
It just turned over 192K a week ago....which is nearly half of the miles Eric's has.

Actually mine is down to 129k now. I had to change the digital speedometer. Kinda funny that I got one with almost exactly half the mileage of the old one 259K, still a daily driver and reliable enough for our Christmas trip, three passes over a mile high then a drop from 7,300 feet to sea level in under three hours, then reverse that on the way home. A drive a lot like my walk to school when I was young. In the snow and uphill, both ways