changing u joints

joebillhill · Post by **joebillhill** » Thu Jan 05, 2017 12:36 pm

So I'm looking to swap out the u joints on my van soon and was looking for some info from people who have done it before.
Does it really require draining the ATF? Or does just a little come out that can be caught in a pan and then top off the system after?
Same question with the transfer gear oil (or is that just for manual transmissions?)
What have people used for lubricating the yoke?
Thanks in advance,
Joe

Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Thu Jan 05, 2017 12:57 pm

I don't recall draining anything- just remove the 4 bolts that hold the driveshaft to the flanges and leave the flanges in place. Doing it that way also avoids damaging the oil seals.

Even if you do remove the flanges I don't see how ATF would leak out. Transfer case oil, sure, and maybe a little diff oil, but not ATF.

I used a general purpose wheel bearing grease- whatever was in the grease gun at the time. You don't want to mix different kinds of grease, but since you're fitting new bearings it shouldn't be an issue.

joebillhill · Post by **joebillhill** » Thu Jan 05, 2017 1:19 pm

I like your style sir. And thanks for the quick response!

joebillhill · Post by **joebillhill** » Sun Jan 15, 2017 12:00 pm

So i took the prop shaft out and a decent amount of oil came out of the transfer case. I'm looking to drain and fill it now as it needs replacing, and I'm having a hard time finding where the fill plug is (I believe I've found the drain plug on the lower portion of the transfer case on the passenger side. Please correct me if I'm wrong)
Is the fill plug just on the opposite side on the top portion and goes in horizontally or is it on the top of the transfer case?
Thanks,
Joe

Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Sun Jan 15, 2017 1:12 pm

The fill plug is about halfway up, on the back (facing the rear axle).

Here's a picture of an L400 transfer case (the label font makes me cringe though). The L300 one is very similar:

: L400TransferCasePlugs_zps91381e6f.jpg (222.75 KiB) Viewed 4413 times

L300 oil capacity is closer to 2.2 litres.

joebillhill · Post by **joebillhill** » Sun Jan 15, 2017 3:10 pm

Thanks growlerbear. You are a life saver!

joebillhill · Post by **joebillhill** » Sat Jan 21, 2017 4:53 pm

One more question. I put in 2+ liters of redline transmission fluid with the assumption of my van being non lsd. (I meant to check but my jack was non functional) l
Perusing further on the forum though I've seen that having a sticker on the driver side door might indicate lsd.
I'm wondering if I don't have a friction modifier in my transfer case will it cause harm if I'm not using 4wd or should I put some in asap?
Thanks
Joe

Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Sat Jan 21, 2017 5:03 pm

The transfer case uses regular manual transmission oil- 75-85W GL5.

If you have an LSD, it's in the rear axle and should use GL5 or GL6 which says "LSD compatible". There's usually an orange sticker on the driver's door, or the fill plug will be white and say "LSD oil only".

joebillhill · Post by **joebillhill** » Sat Jan 21, 2017 5:09 pm

Good to know. Thanks! I was stressing a little as I'm on the road with many miles to go before I get to a suitable parking spot/wrenching location.