Rear Differential Fluid Change

bullfrog23414 said:
So I changed my diff and transfer case fluids around 30K miles. At that time, the Transfer fluid looked a little bit dark, but overall in pretty good shape, the front diff, was pretty dirty and the rear diff was practically black. I just did it again at about 81k miles (all 3). The Transfer fluid looked like the day I put it in and the diffs both appeared to be in really good shape too. I'm sure that this is primarily due to the standard wear during the first X (10k?) miles on a new car, but I was pretty surprised at both 1) how dirty it was the first time and 2) how clean it was the second time.

I am not in any way an Amsoil fanboy, but I used Amsoil 80w-90 (the exact spec called for in the manual) gear oil for the diffs and Amsoil Universal ATF (with the Matic D/J spec) for the Transfer case at both the 30k and now the 81k service.

Just thought I'd post my results.
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I am glad this is up I have been looking all over the internet to help me with getting things figured out with my 2004 M45 and there is not many places that can help or that have info on how to get things done on this type of car! So thank you
 
Can anyone show me a pic of where the transfer case is? Going to change all 3 oils as I just passed 40K. Soo glad I stumbled upon this thread....

---------- Post added at 10:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:43 AM ----------

Nevermind found it...man I love this forum so much :good:
 
Just remember the transfer case uses ATF, not diff oil. When I changed mine, I noticed that the fluid was in much better condition than the front and rear diffs even though I changed the transfer case fluid 14K or so later than the differentials. And the magnetic plug didn't have nearly as much stuff on it. I suppose it makes since as the transfer case doesn't do as much work as the differentials since AWD turns off above 19mph.
 
Shadow...our AWD systems shut off after 19pmh...really?? Why is this? So they are only useful if you were stuck in the snow lol...


shadow191 said:
Just remember the transfer case uses ATF, not diff oil. When I changed mine, I noticed that the fluid was in much better condition than the front and rear diffs even though I changed the transfer case fluid 14K or so later than the differentials. And the magnetic plug didn't have nearly as much stuff on it. I suppose it makes since as the transfer case doesn't do as much work as the differentials since AWD turns off above 19mph.
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It starts in AWD, then goes to RWD over the cutoff. But it will turn back on if it senses slip. But for daily driving, it's not turning back on much. It's not like a differential that is working anytime you're turning and there is a wheel speed difference.

And 19mph is what a lot of places state. But I don't know if that's 100% known. Other things say that the system switches based on certain inputs. The system isn't full time AWD though. It doesn't matter that much because once you're at speed, AWD isn't going to do much for you on pavement.
 
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I am gonna do this sometime this summer, i don't think this has ever been done on my vehicle and I am at 82 000 miles
 
I just did this and the oil was black with were lots of metal shavings in the rear diff. The front was dark brown, not too much metal in the plug, but it looked like it was under-filled. Interestingly, the front diff only took 1 bottle of fluid.


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rammersFX said:
I just did this and the oil was black with were lots of metal shavings in the rear diff. The front was dark brown, not too much metal in the plug, but it looked like it was under-filled. Interestingly, the front diff only took 1 bottle of fluid.


Sent from my iPhone
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rammersFX said:
I just did this and the oil was black with were lots of metal shavings in the rear diff. The front was dark brown, not too much metal in the plug, but it looked like it was under-filled. Interestingly, the front diff only took 1 bottle of fluid.


Sent from my iPhone
Click to expand...
 
Did front and rear diffs this morning (6 year old and 40 k miles).The amount of swarf and sludge on both was nothing like I've seen on other cars and the both oils definitely needed changing.

Both levels were a little low (car was level).*

Also brushed off surface rust on underside parts and painted.

Took about 2 hours and I am very much an amateur home mechanic - I'm sure it could be done in hour by a garage.(@ £100+ per hour) so I'm pleased I've saved some money.

Did transfer case earlier this year and the oil condition was dark but still serviceable.

Pretty sure the gearbox will be bad but not brave enough to this so will get Nissan to do it(no Infiniti dealers or specialists here in the UK).
 
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