changing transfer fluid

Well I asked a roomate to bring up his Haynes manual since I don't have one but he forgot it. My question is where exactly is the drain plug? His dad said it is on the left side but we aren't sure which way he is looking. If I look from the front to the left it is the motor. I know it is underneath somewhere but is it hard to get to? I don't wanna pay a shop $180 to drain and fill. Seems rediculous to me. I have a 92 S10 Blazer 2dr. 4x4. Also does anyone have any idea as to how much fluid I should get also to refill it? Thanx in advance.

Flushing and filling the tranny is best to be left up to a shop.

You can NEVER get all the fluid out properly in the driveway.

The tranny pan only carries about 50% of the fluid whereas the rest is in the torque convertor.

The shop will hook up to the tranny cooler lines and will pump in new fluid and remove the old in one easy process.

Then they will drop the pan and replace the filter and the lost fluid in the pan.

Then everything is completely fresh.

I think he is referring to the transfer case and in that case there should be a drain plug (at least on the newer models.) Here is a pic of the transfer case on the 2000 model.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/116754TransferCase.jpg

yea I meant the transfer case for the 4x4. for a transmission flush a shop only charges 80 and I would have no problems having them take care of that but I don't see a point in paying 180 to get the transfer case drained and refilled.

oh my, sorry about that.

There will be an upper and lower plug where the top is the fill and the lower is the drain.

undo the top and then undo the bottom and let all the fluid drain out. Then add a small about to the fill hole with the bottom hole still out and watch until the fluid coming out is perfectly red and clear.

Then screw in the drain plug and tighten it and then add transmission fluid to the top hole until it starts pouring out. Be patient, sometimes it will pour out and then the rest will settle into the case and it will require more for a top up.

That is all and is really cheap.

Be prepared for some fluid to come out the top hole when you initially start the job seeing out transmission to transfer case seals sometimes will seep over time and over fill the transfer case.

Depending on the year, GM has also changed the fluid for the transfer case that now has a different friction modifier for the friction clutch. The new autotrak fluid is blue. Many of the Blazers built around 2000 can have problems with the front wheels slipping in 4WD in very cold temperatures. The old fluid would cause the friction discs to slip and wear prematurely.

We are talking about the transfer case here, not the differentials.

I did that this weekend as well it was fairly easy, and could not see paying someone $180 when someone with fair mechanic skills could do it themselves! Good luck.

Yea, 180 for that is a rip off.

well the 180 for the 4x4 fluids is what was quoted to me. But now that I finally looked in my manual at soem pictures due to being confused I found out it is not the transfer case I need to drain. I do wanna find a way to check that fluid though. But I found out I need to change my power steering. In my last vehicle the power steering was on the left side of the engine so I assumed it was the same but found out it is on the right side of the engine. And the dipstick I ahd checked was on the right side underneath the air intake. So yep I am an idiot and shoulda looked at a manual before posting. But now I need to figure out how to drain the power steering. My roomate said it is easier should be able to take off the skid plate and the drain should be there. So that should be easy. But now my question I guess is......Is there a dipstick to check the transfer case now that I know where it is exactly? Or do I need to just pull the plugs and check it that way? I really need to make sure all fluids are good due to the weather finally getting clsoe to freezing temps. And I don't wanna pay the shops too damn much money I need for college. After reading everything so far I understand how to drain the transfer case and such now Thanx. I'm just an idiot that is trying to save money but forgetting to look at diagrams in the owners manual.

We are talking about the transfer case here, not the differentials.

I hear you, but read this for certain years on the transfer case fluid.

Info - Improved Automatic Transfer Case Fluid #99-04-21-006
Improved Automatic Transfer Case Fluid
1999-2000 Cadillac Escalade

1998-2000 Chevrolet and GMC K/T 4-Wheel Drive Pickups and Utility Models

1999-2000 Chevrolet and GMC L Van Models

1999-2000 Oldsmobile Bravada

with Active Transfer Case (RPOs NP4, NP8)

Effective with vehicle production in late June of 1999, all active transfer cases on the above listed vehicles have been filled with Autotrak® II fluid, P/N 12378508 (P/N 10953626 in Canada). This fluid is a light blue color rather than the red color of the previous fluids and is the next generation Automatic Transfer Case Fluid. The fluid also contains a better friction modifier.

On the models listed above, the active transfer cases should only be serviced using P/N 12378508 (P/N 10953626 in Canada), even if the original fluid was the red Autotrak® fluid. The previous fluid and the new fluid can be mixed or topped off if necessary. The new Autotrak® II fluid will be the only available fluid once the supply of the old red Autotrak® fluid is exhausted on units older than stated above.

The Owner's Manuals and some service information will specify the incorrect fluid due to printing the information prior to the fluid change being introduced.

Parts Information


Front Wheels Slipping with Vehicle in Four WHeel Drive (Replace Transfer Case Clutch Plates and Front Drive Axle Lubricant) #99-04-21-003B
Front Wheels Slipping with Vehicle in Four Wheel Drive (Replace Transfer Case Clutch Plates and Front Drive Axle Lubricant)
1999-2001 Chevrolet and GMC K and T Models (Silverado, Sierra, Blazer, Envoy, Jimmy)

with NV236/246 Transfer Case (RPO NP8)

This bulletin is being revised to correct a part number in the Parts Information section. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 99-04-21-003A (Section 04 -- Driveline/Axle).

Condition
Some owners may comment on a slipping type condition at the front wheels while the vehicle is in four wheel drive (4WD).

Cause
When the vehicle is driven extensively in low temperatures (-12°C (10°F) or below), slipping may occur when the vehicle is in the 2 HI mode. This occurs because the transfer case clutch pack does not have enough torque capacity to overcome the viscosity of the front axle lubricant. The friction generated by the slipping clutch discs may cause premature wear of the clutch pack assembly.

Correction
Overhaul the transfer case and replace the clutch plates on affected vehicles. Replace the lubricant in the front drive axle with synthetic axle lubricant, P/N 12378261 (in Canada, use P/N 10953455). Use the following procedure and the part numbers listed below.

Remove the transfer case drain plug. If the plug is difficult to remove or stripped, refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 99-04-21-001.
Drain the fluid from the transfer case. Refer to the Transfer Case sub-section of the applicable Service Manual.
Remove the transfer case assembly from the vehicle. Refer to the Transfer Case sub-section of the applicable Service Manual.

Important
The NV236 transfer case (T Models) uses 8 friction and 7 steel plates. The NV246 transfer case (K Models) uses 10 friction and 9 steel plates.


Overhaul the transfer case and replace the clutch plates. Refer to the applicable Transmission/Transaxle and Transfer Case Unit Repair Manual.
Install the transfer case assembly into the vehicle. Refer to the Transfer Case sub-section of the applicable Service Manual.
Install the transfer case drain plug. Tighten
Tighten the drain plug to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).


Important
Do not use standard DEXRON® lll fluid. Performance of the transfer case may be impaired.


Remove the transfer case fill plug. If the plug is difficult to remove or stripped, refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 99-04-21-001.
Fill the transfer case with 1.9 L (2 qts) of Automatic (AUTO- TRAK ll) Transfer Case fluid, P/N 12378508 (in Canada, use P/N 10953626).
Install the transfer case fill plug. Tighten
Tighten the fill plug to 20 N·m (15N·mlbN·mft).

Change the front drive axle lubricant to synthetic axle lubricant, P/N 12378261 (in Canada, use P/N 10953455). Fill the drive axle with 1.66 L (1.76 qts) for K Truck or 1.20 L (1.27 qts) for T Truck. Refer to the Front Drive Axle sub-section of the applicable Service Manual.