Transfer case fluid change...DIY maintenance
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 321
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette, LA
Yup. Bottle pump for the win. Made the job much easier. The only really hard part I had when doing all of my fluids was getting the damn drain plug out of the manual tranny. I got it, but... 
Cannot say that I cared for the process. And now I need to go buy a new 17mm hex-head driver.
Cannot say that I cared for the process. And now I need to go buy a new 17mm hex-head driver.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Tyler Texas
On the cheap, I went to Wally world and bought a ketchup bottle (like at a restaurant) and used that. You have to refill it a few times but it squeezes in the hole just fine. This only works on the Tcase, use the pumps for the diff fluid!
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Excelsior MinneSNOWta
Great idea. Id rather have to fill up a ketchup bottle 4 times then clean up puddles of ATF+4 from the floor
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: profile
Doing any job on your Jeep or any vehicle ensures the right fluids , parts, filters and the actual work being and being done right. Some dealers of many brand of vehicles have been caught parklng vehciles in their lot for a estimated amount of time, and then released with false documentation, with no work done, to make money for the dealership. Some dealers and lube shops were caught mixing old fluids with new fluids to save money , also saving money on outgoing fluids to be recycled, which costs money as well.
If and when possible, do much of the work yourself. I keep all of my recepits and a full computer log showing what I did and when i did it. Your Jeep will be around a long time if you do so.
My other recomendation, is to not always buy dealer parts , anything ranging from a oil filter to a driveline or engine part. I buy everything from Napa and PepBoys, etc. Parts are cheaper and better , as due to these parts companies needing the auto enthusits to come to them for reliable and high performing parts, unlike the dealers and lube shops relying on folks who do not have the ability " garage, tools, time, etc" or just not wanting to be involved with the hassle at all.
It has been noted since the latest recession, all the parts and auto retail parts store chains have noted a recent amount of busisness from do it yourself people due to folks tired of being washed out of their money with high service prices and parts and bad service techniques.
My 2 cents. Not ever dealer is bad, some good ones do still exists, Just never had a good expierence in life with them.
** SKULL_FACE **
If and when possible, do much of the work yourself. I keep all of my recepits and a full computer log showing what I did and when i did it. Your Jeep will be around a long time if you do so.
My other recomendation, is to not always buy dealer parts , anything ranging from a oil filter to a driveline or engine part. I buy everything from Napa and PepBoys, etc. Parts are cheaper and better , as due to these parts companies needing the auto enthusits to come to them for reliable and high performing parts, unlike the dealers and lube shops relying on folks who do not have the ability " garage, tools, time, etc" or just not wanting to be involved with the hassle at all.
It has been noted since the latest recession, all the parts and auto retail parts store chains have noted a recent amount of busisness from do it yourself people due to folks tired of being washed out of their money with high service prices and parts and bad service techniques.
My 2 cents. Not ever dealer is bad, some good ones do still exists, Just never had a good expierence in life with them.
** SKULL_FACE **
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
The dealership I work at would be $269 for the diffs and $99 for the transfer case. Then of course the oil change would be additional as well. My job depends on people buying these services, but I dont see how the average Joe can afford it.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 1
From: Houston,TX
Thats what SHE said...
Totally dude!!!
Doing any job on your Jeep or any vehicle ensures the right fluids , parts, filters and the actual work being and being done right. Some dealers of many brand of vehicles have been caught parklng vehciles in their lot for a estimated amount of time, and then released with false documentation, with no work done, to make money for the dealership. Some dealers and lube shops were caught mixing old fluids with new fluids to save money , also saving money on outgoing fluids to be recycled, which costs money as well.
If and when possible, do much of the work yourself. I keep all of my recepits and a full computer log showing what I did and when i did it. Your Jeep will be around a long time if you do so.
My other recomendation, is to not always buy dealer parts , anything ranging from a oil filter to a driveline or engine part. I buy everything from Napa and PepBoys, etc. Parts are cheaper and better , as due to these parts companies needing the auto enthusits to come to them for reliable and high performing parts, unlike the dealers and lube shops relying on folks who do not have the ability " garage, tools, time, etc" or just not wanting to be involved with the hassle at all.
It has been noted since the latest recession, all the parts and auto retail parts store chains have noted a recent amount of busisness from do it yourself people due to folks tired of being washed out of their money with high service prices and parts and bad service techniques.
My 2 cents. Not ever dealer is bad, some good ones do still exists, Just never had a good expierence in life with them.
** SKULL_FACE **
If and when possible, do much of the work yourself. I keep all of my recepits and a full computer log showing what I did and when i did it. Your Jeep will be around a long time if you do so.
My other recomendation, is to not always buy dealer parts , anything ranging from a oil filter to a driveline or engine part. I buy everything from Napa and PepBoys, etc. Parts are cheaper and better , as due to these parts companies needing the auto enthusits to come to them for reliable and high performing parts, unlike the dealers and lube shops relying on folks who do not have the ability " garage, tools, time, etc" or just not wanting to be involved with the hassle at all.
It has been noted since the latest recession, all the parts and auto retail parts store chains have noted a recent amount of busisness from do it yourself people due to folks tired of being washed out of their money with high service prices and parts and bad service techniques.
My 2 cents. Not ever dealer is bad, some good ones do still exists, Just never had a good expierence in life with them.
** SKULL_FACE **
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
I did my differentials, manual transmission, and transfer case for around $80.00 in fluids. I have never even changed my own oil before but could not afford to have paid for these services to be done! I was quoted $100. For Each differential and thought they were crazy. I will now change my own oil after learning how easy this stuff is to do!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
Oh yeah, so my answer is you definitely saved money and know it was done correctly! I have an issue with paying for something I can't see the results to and now that I have seen how to do it I am happy I did it myself!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: NJ, USA
Yeah, I was quoted $145 per differential and $150 for a transfer case service by dealership. That's $440!!! I am doing it myself when time comes.
JK Junkie
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,499
Likes: 162
From: brick, nj
Yes, changing the diff fluid is as easy, if not easier than changing the oil thanks to the drain plugs in our jeeps. The trickiest part is trying to fit the bottle of oil up high enough to get it poured into the fill hole. I put a flexible tube into the bottle when I did it and made a squeeze bottle out of it. I may invest in a cheap pump. Perhaps harbor freight has one that works.