Checking fluids

[FirstJeep]

As you can tell by my screen name and the nature of the question I’m about to ask you can tell I’m not the most mechanically minded person but I’m trying. On my 2000 Sahara is there any way to check the differential and transfer case fluids without having to take the whole covers of these parts off? I don’t know the shape of the fluids in these parts and I don’t know if the p.o. changed the fluids or not.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Yes, remove the fill plugs and try to add fluid. They're full when they start overflowing out of the fill hole.

Depending on your transfer model year you may be able to stick your finger down into the fill hole to see if it's full. The top plug obviously being the transfer case's fill hole. ATF for the transfer case, any type of ATF but ATF+4 would be a good choice.

Any type of GL-5 gear lube is fine for the axles. Like Valvoline 75W-90, 80W-90, etc. the exact viscosity is not important for just topping it off.

 

[FirstJeep]

Again, as I’m new where are the fill plugs?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

The differential fill plugs are roughly half-way up on the differential cover.

A Dana 35 has a plastic fill hole plug which is removed with a screwdriver...

The other style cover typically uses a 3/8" socket extension to remove, like this...

The transfer case fill plug is on the rear of the transfer case... this photo shows a hex head fill plug, others use an allen-wrench type of plug.

 

[FirstJeep]

Thank you so much for the info!