Autotrak II for 96 jimmy- binding transfercase

My jimmy slightly binds when making sharper turns in 4wd (pulling into parking spaces). My parents 2000 AWD safari van did this too, and I put in GM's fully synthetic blue autotrack II fluid in the transfer case and it has done wonders.

Does anyone have any thoughts on putting the Autotrak II in?

Don't start throwing additive in that are not meant to be there.

You just know you can't do the sharp turn in 4x4, so take the turn a little easier.

Binding in 4wd is normal

Yup, yup. AutoTrak fluid (The Blue stuff) I *think* is only for use in the revised transfer cases in 97+ model years. It's a synthetic from what I understand, and contains a friction modifier that supports and adds longevity to the output clutches in the X-fer case in those redesigned units. Our old and tired 93~96's get along just fine on Dextron III. What I would fear is NOT feeling that binding in extreme "wheel locked" turns - it means that the transfer case/front axles are not engaged properly!

Don't start throwing additive in that are not meant to be there.

You just know you can't do the sharp turn in 4x4, so take the turn a little easier.

It's not an additive, it's the actual fluid.

It was also designed just a few years ago, so it obviously isn't the "recommended" fluid because all of literature on our vehicles is almost 10 years old.

What is the difference between 96 and 98 (or whatever year) transfercases that the autotrak fluid is recomended for those? What's the difference in their clutch?

Yeah, they put in a beefier, +2 clutch and friction surface clutch in the AWD and automatic 4x4 models. I think the idea was to calibrate the clutches just a tad with a synthetic and friction modifier to allow just enough slippage on dry pavement, but decent enough torque lock-up in slippery road conditions. Kind of like a "poor man's" center differential that true, all-time AWD systems would have, but instead made out of mechanical parts barely slipping by one another. In *real* AWD systems, the center differential is merely a viscous coupling filled with a thick silicon type material, close to what they fill fan clutches with. Careful calibration of dissimular wheel/axle ratios front to rear kept the fluid in a slightly "warmed up state" but did not allow for more than 10%:90% rear to front torque ratios. When a wheel starts to slip, the fluid is under extreme pressure from the whirling surfaces that are mechanically linked by the viscous coupling causing it to expand even further, shifting eventually to a near 50%:50% ratio front to rear. Chevrolet/GM accomplishes this task through a mechanical system - or so I theorize - where the clutch packs supply a fixed amount of torque to the front wheels, all the time. When conditions are good, the tires' grip overcomes torque output just enough to allow smooth cornering. When traction is low, or in off-road conditions, the torque is enough to put just enough power to the front axles to get you out of trouble. Or so, my theory goes.

Now for the factual stuff I do know:

AllTrak II can be universally placed into Dextron-III applications. However, AllTrak II fluid specified in modern designs cannot be swapped for Dextron III. Dex just cooks to sludge within a few hundred miles from the punishment that the constantly slipping front differential output shaft clutches puts on the fluid. If you drain "blue" out of your transfer case, *PUT* "blue" back in it. However:

Is there a benefit of putting AllTrak II into a Dex-III x-fer case? Slight to minimal. It is a synthetic fluid afterall, but a better, more cost-effective use of alternative fluids will be better in the long-run. (Like Redline - How is it? My Transfer case is soaking in it now. Marinate for 60k miles, and exchange the fluid again) If it bleeds "red" you *can* swap "blue" back in - but AllTrak II costs nearly 3x as much as Dextron, and 2x that of any *good* synthetic product rated and put into Dextron service. And that is all I have to say about that. Goodnight, and don't forget to tip your waitresses back upright before you leave tonight. You've been a great audience!

Yeah, they put in a beefier, +2 clutch and friction surface clutch in the AWD and automatic 4x4 models. I think the idea was to calibrate the clutches just a tad with a synthetic and friction modifier to allow just enough slippage on dry pavement, but decent enough torque lock-up in slippery road conditions. Kind of like a "poor man's" center differential that true, all-time AWD systems would have, but instead made out of mechanical parts barely slipping by one another. In *real* AWD systems, the center differential is merely a viscous coupling filled with a thick silicon type material, close to what they fill fan clutches with. Careful calibration of dissimular wheel/axle ratios front to rear kept the fluid in a slightly "warmed up state" but did not allow for more than 10%:90% rear to front torque ratios. When a wheel starts to slip, the fluid is under extreme pressure from the whirling surfaces that are mechanically linked by the viscous coupling causing it to expand even further, shifting eventually to a near 50%:50% ratio front to rear. Chevrolet/GM accomplishes this task through a mechanical system - or so I theorize - where the clutch packs supply a fixed amount of torque to the front wheels, all the time. When conditions are good, the tires' grip overcomes torque output just enough to allow smooth cornering. When traction is low, or in off-road conditions, the torque is enough to put just enough power to the front axles to get you out of trouble. Or so, my theory goes.

Now for the factual stuff I do know:

AllTrak II can be universally placed into Dextron-III applications. However, AllTrak II fluid specified in modern designs cannot be swapped for Dextron III. Dex just cooks to sludge within a few hundred miles from the punishment that the constantly slipping front differential output shaft clutches puts on the fluid. If you drain "blue" out of your transfer case, *PUT* "blue" back in it. However:

Is there a benefit of putting AllTrak II into a Dex-III x-fer case? Slight to minimal. It is a synthetic fluid afterall, but a better, more cost-effective use of alternative fluids will be better in the long-run. (Like Redline - How is it? My Transfer case is soaking in it now. Marinate for 60k miles, and exchange the fluid again) If it bleeds "red" you *can* swap "blue" back in - but AllTrak II costs nearly 3x as much as Dextron, and 2x that of any *good* synthetic product rated and put into Dextron service. And that is all I have to say about that. Goodnight, and don't forget to tip your waitresses back upright before you leave tonight. You've been a great audience!

When I changed to Autotrak II in my parents van it took me less than 4 quarts (I filled it, drove around 10 mins, then emptied and filled again) and at $3.00 a quart from the dealer it cost me a total of $12. It's hardly expensive when compared to Mobil 1 oil.

I will pay the air freight to have some sent to me then. (Just joking)They are selling it over here at the local GM/AC dealerships for nearly $6 a quart. :( I can get the Redline Dex-III replacement @ $4/quart locally. But the bottom line is, it will not hurt your older machine to put AllTrak II in it. Not in the least. Go with what flows, and the wallet can tollerate. ;) However, putting Dex-III into an Alltrak II application spells trouble in short order. That is the main point I am after, really.

I have been reading threads where qualified, professional third-party mechanics have made that mistake and have customers complaining of crackling, bumping and grinding noises just a few days later. Pulling the drain plug has...tar falling out. :P You don't want to be there. Google it up, I am not pulling your leg on this at all.

Yeah, that's exactly what some knucklehead at my parents dealer did. They put red dexron in a 2000 AWD safari van transfer case. It was buckling when they got it new, but it got worse after the dealer replaced the fluid with dexron. I don't know what came in it from the factory because I don't think there was autotrak II until later.

When my dad complained about the buckling and binding after the original fluid was replaced the dealer mecanic said that there was a "300 mile break in period" when it would eventually smooth out. Well, it didn't and it got worse than imaginable. It was impossible to turn the steering wheel at all without buckling, and shifts were starting to become harsh. I don't know how they could've lived with that thing, it was horrible.

3 years later I (my dad's no mechanic) pulled the stuff and it was burnt REAL REAL bad. It was really gross. Luckily there were no shavings in it and there was no damage to the case as it's working better than perfect now (no binding at FULL turning angle).

It's a brand new AWD vehicle now. This fix was definetely better than the hood clunk washers.

When the fluid is that dark though, I would suspect some sort of damage. It's either dark because A) It is simply burned up to sludge - and think of all of the friction it takes to do that, and the parts involved - or worse B) That fluid you drained is made up in part by burned off clutch material. That knucklehead you described may have shortened up the lifespan of your transfer case just a tad. Hopefully, and I really do pray this; you will be just fine and your folks will use that Van to a ripe old age. But I would practice a little CYA, tell your folks to hold onto/find that service record and reciept from the dealership. If you experience driveline problems later on that point to your transfer case, you have documented proof of a mistake. Good luck to you and your folks!