I can't believe as picky as I am about Maintenance that I missed/neglected this! Truck has about 230K on it (97 5.4L ORP), and this last weekend I finally changed the transfer case fluid for the first time. Took two quarts of Mobil 1 ATF. It was very easy, and I'm ashamed I didn't do it much earlier. The fluid that came out was not red, or tea color, or a bit burnt, it was completely BLACK!

The trans has not been shifting as crisp as it used to (put in a shift kit at about 30K) and I thought it was just due to age, and miles. After the Transfer Case fluid change, it has been revitalized! I did not think there was a connection between the trans and transfer case other than the mechanical link. I've changed the trans fluid pretty regular (30K intervals). I assumed that the Transfer Case only kicked in when 4WD turned on.....Apparently that is not the case.

I am not sure what kind of problems this neglect has caused, but if you haven't changed yours, get it done. It cost $12 for the fluid, and only took a few minutes to do.......

 

On the filler hole, do you just add as much fluid as you can until it gets to the level of where it wants to start running out? Do you check it hot or cold?

 

Mark

I did it cold. I filled with two quarts of Mobil 1. That was enough so that it wanted to seep out of the filler hole, which is what the Chilton's manual said. Made a big difference with how smooth (still crisp because of shift kit) the tranny works.

 

I did the same thing last winter - It was like black water. I Amsoiled everything in the drivetrain, it was worth it.

I had to use 4x4 on the expressway the other day - very smooth , can't tell your in 4x4 - NO vibration what so ever.

 

Brew

Yeah, my wife is driving the truck back and forth to work. She commented on how much better it is driving. For her to even notice it, it had to be a big improvement.

 

Here's two neglected ones that I bet get overlooked more than the transfer case....

when's the last time you changed all the fluid in the power steering system??? Wanna talk about making a difference. Now this is one that degrades soo slow, you just stay used to the performance and forget what it was like new. Then voi'la!!!!!!!!!!

And how about when you do the brakes, do you bleed and add as necessary or do you completely remove as much as possible and completely replace the fluid??

 

I know what you mean..

I flushed the brake fluid thru the bleeders , took awhile and didn't benefit at all from it - I need new lines.

The PS fluid- I'm not sure if theres another way , but I did a little at time with a seringe until it was a nice color - yea that helped quiet things down - specially in the winter

 

My Power Steering and Brake fluid is still original. I haven't even bled the brakes. It has 230K and 10 years on it and seems to be working fine.....

 

Like said earlier... it "seems" to be working fine. i am sure this is because at 230k and 10 years... those fluid have been degraded and completely spent for some time now, and since it is a sloooow process... you probably are just used to how it feel right now. Its cheap and easy, just change those fluids and see the difference it makes!

 

I'm sure I will change them soon. The transfer case was more important right now since my wife is driving the truck back and forth to work, and it is winter already here in Michigan.

 

I see, well i would agree with you on that one! I would probably do the same. I was just throwing it out there as something to consider. You just don't want to wait until something ISN'T working fine. At that point it will be a bit more expensive then a fluid change.

 

Mercedes

I'm kinda into uncharted territory here for me. I've kept this truck for about 100K longer than any other vehicle i've ever owned, so the maintenance that I should do has never been an issue with any previous vehicle. My daily driver is a 2006 Trailblazer SS. My wife had a company car, but changed jobs to one that didn't provide that benefit. I didn't sell the truck because there is nothing wrong with it (other than some fluids that need changing). The truck looks like it only has about 50K on it, and it runs great. In 10 years, it has never left me stranded.

 

Glad to hear this truck has treated you so good! If you don't abuse it and keep a regular maintenance schedule these thing can last quite some time. i have customers with well into the 350k mark. It awesome to see those come in! (means I must be doing something right!) Like I said, just keep the idea floating around in the head. When ya got some extra cash and some free time, dive on in and change some fluids. And don't worry about the uncharted territory, thats why they made this site. i have found it beyond just useful in tinkering and playing with my truck! So you got a pic of this ole bad boy or what?

 

My Toyota pickup has 473K+ miles and I've never changed power steering fluid or brake fluid. Unless a pump or master cylinder goes out, fluid won't get replaced. If it makes you feel better, change it. If not..........

 

Hmm not sure if I would be bragging about that jward. NO offense, but thats not exactly a well maintained vehicle. Imagine all the wear and tear IN the fluid itself.....than again it is a yota and you can run them with a hole in the crank case (seen it done and it still is running).