Changed the gear oil today
You guys with the huge picture files are killing the thread. Try downsizing them before you attach them. Thanks.
This afternoon I changed all the gear oil in my Trail Edition. Front diff was pretty dark. Transfer case was fairly clean. Rear diff was dirty, as expected. I drove it about a mile in 4 wheel lo before draining the gear oil. I think that helps stir up the front diff and transfer case. It may explain why mine was so dark when lots of people say they get clean oil out of the front diff case.
I didn't get a drop of oil on the garage floor. It's a good thing I had a bunch of scrap cardboard to put down.
I haven't changed my oil in over 20 years. I didn't anticipate how fast the front diff would drain. It shot out past the oil pan I had on the floor. Good thing the cardboard was there.
I also spilled a lot of new oil trying to find the right way to fill the cases from below. I had a graduated funnel with an in-line check valve I tried to use up front. I had a long piece of clear tubing so I had the funnel up over the wheel well and the low end into the diff fill opening. But darn, the hose came off of the funnel just as I got the valve opened. There went half a quart of oil ($). I did better with the transfer case but it was a PIA.
On the rear diff I finally used the pump I had that supposedly works in a one gallon jug. But it not only was too small for the spout of the Mobil 1, 4 quart jugs, it couldn't pump from the half empty jug. So I used an intermediary cup and the pump, which was still a lot of work. Those pumps pump about a tablespoon with every pump. I guess that's good when you get near the top. That's fine for the front diff and transfer case that hold 1.6 and 1 liter. But it was a lot of gear oil to pump for the rear diff. Next time I'm going to drop the spare and use a funnel and hose. :wink2:
I have a lot to learn about changing gear oil. But I don't plan on taking it to the dealer ever again. So I better find a better way to fill the cases. :ballchain:
