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Change fluid in Transfer Case

2004anche

Full Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2008
Messages
13
Location
Lansdale, PA
Folks....

How difficult or easy is it to change the fluid in the 4 wheel drive transfer case?  The dealer telling me it's difficult to do.  Do you know the procedures? What type of fluid does it take? 

Thanks in advance.

 
It's freakin cake.  Probably those same jackholes at Chevy21 I bought my Avy from telling you that.

I'd have to check the manual, but it likely takes ATF in the case, and no more than 2 quarts of it.  There's a drain plug and a fill plug on the back of the case.  you remove both to drain it, screw in the bottom one snug, and fill the top on till fluid starts to come back out.  (You'll be best served to have a fill tube that screws to the top of the bottle to help make life easier).

That's an abridged "I'm at work and can't take forever to explain it in detail" version, but it's pretty simple, really.
 
Thanks...I figured it was simple and you verified there wasn't a unknown obstacle.  the service guys must be getting paid commission.  He wanted $125.
 
The transfer case is easy to change but it does take special fluid that you will have to buy at the dealer. If I recall it takes 2 qts but you might want to get 3 to make sure. The fluid is called Auto-Trak II and I believe that it is somewhere around $7/qt.

There have been a few people here that have used automatic transmission fluid and have had the transfer case fail shortly there after.  (n)
 
I used the Amsoil fluid and it's a piece of cake.  Did the rear end, transfer case and front no probs.  Had more probs on my subaru than the truck.
 
I use a suction gun to fill it. Its alot easier than trying to get the bottle up there and not make a mess  :D
 

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Fill the transfer case to the bottom of the fill plug hole with Auto-Trak II, transfer case fluid, GM P/N 12378508
 

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02 Z71 said:
The transfer case is easy to change but it does take special fluid that you will have to buy at the dealer. If I recall it takes 2 qts but you might want to get 3 to make sure. The fluid is called Auto-Trak II and I believe that it is somewhere around $7/qt.

There have been a few people here that have used automatic transmission fluid and have had the transfer case fail shortly there after.  (n)

I'm doing my research and this has been mentioned many times. In my 2008 Avy  it says to use Dexron VI. I know on my 2006 Saab 9-7x it needs to be Auto-Trak II.

So obviously Auto-Trak II is not being specified to certain years.
 
TomShepard said:
I'm doing my research and this has been mentioned many times. In my 2008 Avy  it says to use Dexron VI. I know on my 2006 Saab 9-7x it needs to be Auto-Trak II.

So obviously Auto-Trak II is not being specified to certain years.

Always check the manual. Likely a change for the 2nd gen Avys......... front 80W90.....rear 75W-90.....transfer case Dextron VI

Dextron 6 is standard on the '12 and '13.........there have been changes in the transfer cases on newer models, for instance to prevent the wear through leak.
 
I bought my fluids for both the front diff and transfer case yesterday.  On my 07, the manual says autotrak II for the transfer case, but the dealer said there was an update which now calls for the dextron VI.
 
I know there are some T-Cases that call for Auto-TRAK II and some Dextron VI in the same year. One tranny shop told me when they rebuild they use the ATF. Maybe some pros will chime in. You can?t get all the fluid out of the T-Case with out a tear down.  With the clutches I would be causes mixing. The place where I purchased my T-Case told me GM calls for Auto-Trak II use it. 
 
Depends on what t-case they had in it.
 
One piece of advice.
I always make sure I can break the fill plug loose before removing the drain plug.
It really sucks draining all the fluid and then finding you can't refill.
 
Something to think about when doing this. The pump bores a hole thru the rear of the transfer case. Remove the back of the transfer case, purchase the update kit and a new half case. This cost me $600.00 to have done in a shop. Everyone else is paying $1900.00 to have theirs fixed using factory parts. The half shaft option save a lot of labor cost.
 
Shanes 02 Avalanche said:
Something to think about when doing this. The pump bores a hole thru the rear of the transfer case. Remove the back of the transfer case, purchase the update kit and a new half case. This cost me $600.00 to have done in a shop. Everyone else is paying $1900.00 to have theirs fixed using factory parts. The half shaft option save a lot of labor cost.


Shane do you know if this is also a problem for a 2006 Z71?
 
Shanes 02 Avalanche said:
Something to think about when doing this. The pump bores a hole thru the rear of the transfer case. Remove the back of the transfer case, purchase the update kit and a new half case. This cost me $600.00 to have done in a shop. Everyone else is paying $1900.00 to have theirs fixed using factory parts. The half shaft option save a lot of labor cost.

there is a "Allison/Duramax" specialist online that sells a DIY kit for the pump rub "issue" with rear section for under $500
that same site says autotrak II for 1/2 tonners with auto 4WD UP TO 2007 but is "silent" RE 2007+ OR IF GMT 800 / 900 is the change year
 
Actually 09 was the change year, when GM went with the 6 speed transmission they also changed the transfer case
 
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