My truck ate the chain in its transfercase. Im wondering if a thicker fluid would be a better choice? 5w20? Synchromax?
Atf in my transfercase.
- Thread starter Chris142
- Start date
- Status
I would use what the owners manual calls for? Was the xfer case lube changed at called for intervals? Was it full?
Yes it was full. Theres no maintenance schedule for it. I changed it @59k and then 85k. Now @96k it wore through the case
Originally Posted By: CT8
Is the short life normal? Ford or Jeep? G.M.?
no but i probly use 4x4 more in a year than most folks use in its lifetime.plus it came from alaska so 4x4 was used there a lot too
Is the short life normal? Ford or Jeep? G.M.?
no but i probly use 4x4 more in a year than most folks use in its lifetime.plus it came from alaska so 4x4 was used there a lot too
I'm thinking any type of ATF will be fine in a transfer case. The actual transmission is a different story...
Last edited:
I don't think a thicker oil will do anything for chain stretch.
With that said, I don't think 0/5w-20/30 is going to hurt it. As long as you're not running gear oil.
With that said, I don't think 0/5w-20/30 is going to hurt it. As long as you're not running gear oil.
Didn't some GM trucks have an issue with the transfer case pump rubbing through the soft aluminum case? I think it was a design flaw, in which case fluid choice wouldn't matter. I believe there's aftermarket kits to prevent and fix the issue.
If your transfer case's oil pump is anything like the one in the NP242 then it will do better with thin fluid. My buddy toasted his case after using gear oil and then forgetting to switch over to something thinner come cold weather.
If your transfer case's oil pump is anything like the one in the NP242 then it will do better with thin fluid. My buddy toasted his case after using gear oil and then forgetting to switch over to something thinner come cold weather.
The Jeep and the Tahoe could very well have transfer cases made by the same company. (New Progress/ New Venture Gear) Gomes is right about the pump liking the thinner fluid with the 242 at least. They obviously spec ATF for a reason.
That said, I would stick to ATF. How often do you change it?
I am assuming the Ford is gear driven?
That said, I would stick to ATF. How often do you change it?
I am assuming the Ford is gear driven?
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: dlundblad
The Jeep and the Tahoe could very well have transfer cases made by the same company. (New Progress/ New Venture Gear) Gomes is right about the pump liking the thinner fluid with the 242 at least. They obviously spec ATF for a reason.
That said, I would stick to ATF. How often do you change it?
I am assuming the Ford is gear driven?
the ford case has a chain.
The Jeep and the Tahoe could very well have transfer cases made by the same company. (New Progress/ New Venture Gear) Gomes is right about the pump liking the thinner fluid with the 242 at least. They obviously spec ATF for a reason.
That said, I would stick to ATF. How often do you change it?
I am assuming the Ford is gear driven?
the ford case has a chain.
Originally Posted By: Dyusik
I beat the snot out of my ATF filled t-case. 33's and very uneven terrain often under heavy throttle, both high and low gear. I can't say that ATF is the cause of failure.
Same. Mine didn't seem to care when I was doing snow wheeling and spent all day at 5000RPM in 1st and reverse in 4LO with snow up to the headlights in some spots.
I beat the snot out of my ATF filled t-case. 33's and very uneven terrain often under heavy throttle, both high and low gear. I can't say that ATF is the cause of failure.
Same. Mine didn't seem to care when I was doing snow wheeling and spent all day at 5000RPM in 1st and reverse in 4LO with snow up to the headlights in some spots.
Your chain didn't bust because of thin oil. T-Case chains bust for every other reason than that.
If it has a pump inside, don't play with fluid selection.
If it has a pump inside, don't play with fluid selection.
It didnt break. It got sloppy and wore a hole in the aluminum housing
Same. It's not a lubrication issue. More likely a material quality issue. I've never used anything but the recommended viscosities for T-cases, and never had an issue with chain stretch or breaking.
Originally Posted By: Chris142
My truck ate the chain in its transfercase. Im wondering if a thicker fluid would be a better choice? 5w20? Synchromax?
Which truck?
My truck ate the chain in its transfercase. Im wondering if a thicker fluid would be a better choice? 5w20? Synchromax?
Which truck?
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2014
- Messages
- 4,117
What transfer case?
What fluid was used with the chain broke? Fluid level? fluid change interval history?
If using a conventional ATF, an easy upgrade is a full synthetic ATF.
If level was low or fluid never changed, an fluid check/top off at every oil change should be considered. Change it as needed(every couple years or 30k).
And, if failure was with a full synthetic ATF that was always topped off and changed regularly, use a synthetic GL4 MT synchromesh type fluid. Amsoil MTF, Redline MTL, RoyalPurple Synchromax... are some.
What fluid was used with the chain broke? Fluid level? fluid change interval history?
If using a conventional ATF, an easy upgrade is a full synthetic ATF.
If level was low or fluid never changed, an fluid check/top off at every oil change should be considered. Change it as needed(every couple years or 30k).
And, if failure was with a full synthetic ATF that was always topped off and changed regularly, use a synthetic GL4 MT synchromesh type fluid. Amsoil MTF, Redline MTL, RoyalPurple Synchromax... are some.
- Status
Similar threads
