Hey everyone,

A few weeks ago I broke a pinion seal on my transfer case (some people refered to it as the front differential?) and never got it fixed(didnt have the money). I was told that they doubted it would leak anymore, but I still want to check because my truck has seemed a little bogged down lately. Would low transfer case fluid do this? Also, can i check it without putting the truck up on a lift? Can i just go underneath and unscrew the fill plug to check it? I do have a chiltons, but have never done this. If someone could give me a couple tips it would be great.
Thanks in Advance.

its a 99 4x4 v6 5 sp sport

 

Ok, there is a huge difference in the transfer case and the front differential. The transfer case is bolted to the back of the tranny and has two drive shafts coming out of it, one for the front and one for the rear. The front differential is inthe pumpkin which your axles go into. I'm guessing you are talking about your front differential though since you blew a pinion seal. The way that you check your oil in this is to pull the fill plug and see if any oil comes out. The fillplug should be on the side of the pumpkin about half way up it. You probably only need a 3/8" drive ratchet and extension to get it off because it should be a square drive plug. Don't take my word on that though because I've never done it on those years.If there isn't any oil coming out then fill it up until it does come out. You shouldn't notice any effect on performance from this unless you ran it reallylow and it is starting to bind up. You should check your oil regularlysince it is leakingto make sure you don't have it bind up on you.

 

no my truck the differntial plug is just a peice of rubber that fits into a hole in the side, thats the rear, but i would imagine it is the same on the front one as well

 

That's why I told him don't take my word it because there are a few types but the square drives are most common. There is also a plug with a square headcoming out of it so you just throw a wrench on it and take it off that way.

 

Front's a different axle, iirc (and I'll look to confirm) the front has a bolt and the rear on my 9 1/4" is a rubber plug.

 

How do you change the fluid in the front axle.. Do you have to pump it out and then refill it?