Transfer case 50% full?!

[Nc211]

I know there are a lot of threads about changing your gear oils early after you buy a new one. I did the same this weekend along with the first oil change (3k miles). My results were like all of the others, and glad I did it. BUT….one thing really surprised me and ticked me off. The transfer case from the factory. The manual calls for 1.3 quarts. When I pulled that drain plug, I’d bet the farm maybe 1/2 to 2/3 of a quart came out! It took all of 1.3 (more like 1.5) quarts to fill it back up.

WTH Ford??

Anyway. If you’re like me with a new one. You might want to spend a little time doing this process, or have your trusted shop do it for you. It’s actually very easy to do. The transfer case is literally two bolts. Hopefully I’m just a one-off “Friday” mistake.

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[RagnarKon]

I guess the real question is how much fluid did you put back in?

I'll admit I haven't actually looked at my transfer case yet, but it's fairly common with transfer cases and especially transmissions for the drain plug not to allow all of the fluid to drain out. Usually have to use a pump or crack open the housing to drain everything.

 

[Brian_B]

Most of these are difficult to overfill, as the spec is usually “to the fill port”

although if you were on an incline or found another random port hole somewhere, I’m sure my son could manage to accomplish it

 

[Nc211]

I filled it back up with about 1.4(ish) quarts, which is what the manual was calling for. At that point, it started coming back out of the fill port. I had the front wheel about 4 inches in the air on wooden ramps I built maybe 15 years ago, so the drain port was facing downward, thinking it would allow more to come out. I was really surprised to see so little. Just enough to not cause an immediate problem I guess. But boy would it have at some point. Magnet was marginally dirty, fluid was turning darker but still had plenty of red left.

 

[dgorsett]

I haven't changed mine and probably won't for a long time but I checked a while back and rear diff, TC and front diff were each about 8 oz low. So I checked the rear of my E350 RV and it was probably 12 oz low. What The Ford?? I suppose I should check the Auto trans too.

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