I'm A Bonehead! Differential Vs. Transfer Case Screw Up

[bdcanetti]

2007 E70 X5 4.8i
112,000 miles.

After finishing a mechatronic sleeve change it was recommended to change the transfer case fluid. I just finished this morning and it has been bothering me that after draining red looking fluid from what I THOUGHT was the transfer case, I now realize that was the front differential. Looks like I'm back under the X5 tomorrow.

2 questions:

1. Just so I don't screw up again, there are front and rear differentials and the transfer case is just aft of the transmission?

2. I only drove about a mile with the front differential having transfer case oil in it, that shouldn't be a problem right?

Looks like I'm draining that front diff again and putting the correct fluid in it unless I hear a majority tell me transfer case oil is fine in a differential. I'm sure I already know the answer.

That was a waste of a $50 liter bottle of transfer case oil

[bawareca]

1. Yes
2. Yes
If you put diff fluid in the TC that may not end good, but the other way around is a relatively safe scenario given you caught the mistake on time-and you did.

[ard]

Id prolly drive 100 and drain and refill

[bdcanetti]

Thank you both for the reply. ARD - do you mean you would service the mistake correctly, drive a 100 miles and then drain and refill again?

[ard]

Yes. But probably not essential. I'm nutty about fluids. Just get things up to temp, any old fluid would be dissolved into the new fill. Drain an then add 100% proper fill.