Opinions wanted on 2001 Bravada transfer case/F&R diff/tranny maintenance
#1
11-27-2012, 03:56 PM
Opinions wanted on 2001 Bravada transfer case/F&R diff/tranny maintenance
I just got a 2001 Bravada with the usual Smartrac, NP136, etc... It's working fine, but at 88K and 11 years old, it's probably time to do some preventative maintenance.
Looking at the service records:
-a new rear transfer seal was installed in March of 2007. 21K miles ago.
-in March of 2009 (10K miles ago) a tranny overhaul was done due to sheared splines. This shows a 2 quart transfer case fluid change (GM 12378508 Auto Trak II) as well as the obvious ATF fluid change with 16 qts of Dex VI (GM 88861003).
I see no other drive train work done in the service history.
Seems that since this has never been done, it is high time to change out the fluids in the front transaxle and rear diff.
Question 1:
How much fluid/oil is needed to change out both the front transaxle and rear diff? I don't mind shelling out for the synthetic 75W90 that I assume works for both.
Question 2:
Does this vehicle have both drain and fill plugs or do I have to pull the covers and get new gaskets?
Question 3:
With nearly 4 years and 10K miles (pretty much all slower, in town driving by old people) since that was done, does it make sense to do another fluid change on the transfer box and tranny? Again, it all seems to be running fine, but am wanting to keep it that way. I am leaning on the side of a fluid change, but want to hear what y'all think.
I am open to all opinions and suggestions.
Looking at the service records:
-a new rear transfer seal was installed in March of 2007. 21K miles ago.
-in March of 2009 (10K miles ago) a tranny overhaul was done due to sheared splines. This shows a 2 quart transfer case fluid change (GM 12378508 Auto Trak II) as well as the obvious ATF fluid change with 16 qts of Dex VI (GM 88861003).
I see no other drive train work done in the service history.
Seems that since this has never been done, it is high time to change out the fluids in the front transaxle and rear diff.
Question 1:
How much fluid/oil is needed to change out both the front transaxle and rear diff? I don't mind shelling out for the synthetic 75W90 that I assume works for both.
Question 2:
Does this vehicle have both drain and fill plugs or do I have to pull the covers and get new gaskets?
Question 3:
With nearly 4 years and 10K miles (pretty much all slower, in town driving by old people) since that was done, does it make sense to do another fluid change on the transfer box and tranny? Again, it all seems to be running fine, but am wanting to keep it that way. I am leaning on the side of a fluid change, but want to hear what y'all think.
I am open to all opinions and suggestions.
Last edited by bigtone23; 11-27-2012 at 04:04 PM.
#2
11-27-2012, 04:11 PM
1. They take right at about 2 quarts each so 4 total. I used Mobil 1 Full synthetic
2. The rear doesn't have a drain plug, you'll have to pull the cover and then use RTV to seal it up. I bought a seal and used RTV on mine just to be safe.
Sometimes the front has a drain plug but not always. If it doesn't you'll have to suck it out of the fill plug. No gaskets at all doing it this way.
3. It won't hurt to change the rest out anyway and may give you piece of mind knowing it has been done. I personally would check out your coolant system, dexcool can cause some sludge. Oil change obviously, and then just check all your other fluids for discoloration or anything like that.
2. The rear doesn't have a drain plug, you'll have to pull the cover and then use RTV to seal it up. I bought a seal and used RTV on mine just to be safe.
Sometimes the front has a drain plug but not always. If it doesn't you'll have to suck it out of the fill plug. No gaskets at all doing it this way.
3. It won't hurt to change the rest out anyway and may give you piece of mind knowing it has been done. I personally would check out your coolant system, dexcool can cause some sludge. Oil change obviously, and then just check all your other fluids for discoloration or anything like that.
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