Transfer Case Fluid Change
 

Does anyone know (1) what kind of fluid used for the transfer case? (2) how often should the fluid be changed?

Hi there
A simple "search" would help...
Anyway, have a look here for an example...
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...hange-diy.html

That link is for the transmission. I know where the transfer case fill & drain plugs but what I dont know is type of fluid used.

While on the subject, anyone know how to do the front differential fluid change? I know I have to take the skitplate off but... does it also work as support for the front swaybar?

Transfer case is Dex III synthetic. I had my fluid changed about 10K ago.

I change all three every 30k.

The front and rear 3rd members are easy - if you have the giant hex bit that fits in the drain plug for them. Make sure you can open the fill plug before you drain them.

Drain out the old lube, replace the filler plug (watch out, those are aluminum cases) and pump in some new lube with a $3 pump that screws onto any lube bottle. Fill it until lube is weeping out of the fill hole. I think it is somewhere between 1-2l each. I used Royal Purple lube in the factory recommended weight, which I forget. I *think* it is 75w90 but you need to look it up.

I believe fluid is different if you have an X-drive transfer case. IIRC, it would be from 2004 on. TIS recommends BMW transfer case in this situation.

T. Case Question...
 

Hi,
I was looking in the workshop manual and did not see a drain plug for the transfer case and only a filler/check fluid plug. In the book they dont state about draining the fluid out.

Does the x5 2001 3.0 have only a filler/check fluid plug and not a drain plug. My Range Rover has a T-case filler and drain plug.

I can just pump out the old fluid out of the filler/check level plug and add new.

Thanks for any help!

Anyone...lol

On my 2006 X drive, The drain bolt is on the opposite side of the fill bolt with the drain bolt being closer to the bottom of the transfer case housing. I believe I needed a 16mm combo wrench as there wasn't enough room for a ratchet/socket. I simply drove the car on a 20 minute roundtrip up to highway speeds, came home, opened and removed both bolts, let it drain, closed up the drain bolt and filled with new fluid until it started to run out of the fill bolt. Pretty straight forward. I don't even think I had to raise the vehicle. And it's only 1L of fluid so you can be done in about 30 mins or less.

On my car, I chose to stick with the BMW fluid as currently, there is no known compatible fluids. The fluid itself looked like a heavy weight motor oil in color and (cold) viscosity.

do you have a picture of where these are located fill/drain. also have 06 4x4

thanks