Well it's been a while since I've driven my truck and decided to start diagnosing my transfer case problems. Since I can't do the work yet (still recovering back surgery) I got my girlfriend to top up the T-case....it has been leaking but didn't know from where. After cleaning it all up then refilling it, we've so far concluded it's the front output seal. To relplace this, is it a matter of dropping the front driveshaft, take old seal out, install new one and that's it? Any thoughts or experiences on this? Thanks in advance. Oh ya, if it's straightforward I'm gonna try and get my girlfriend to do this so any help is appreciated!

 

remove front drive shaft, remove shaft flange from t case, replace seal.

 

One possible omission from that list.

If you don't have a tool to hold the flange while removing the 30mm nut there's a trick to do it without. Shift the transfer case into 4H, then chock the rear wheels to keep the rear driveshaft from spinning. No need to have the transmission in gear this way.

 

Sounds do-able enough provided nothing is rusted too bad. Is it better to go to the stealership for the seal?...and is that all I'm gonna need...you said a 30mm socket as well? Thanks for the tip.

 

Yeah, there's 2 seals actually. It's most likely the larger one that is bad(the one on the t-case). The smaller one goes in the flange itself and should be o.k. still. They don't see alot of stress or have much reason to fail, but since you're getting the other one you might want to spend 2 bucks(sorry, whatever that is Canadian)more and get the small one too.

I get them from rockauto.com or napaonline.com

And yes, a 30mm socket.

 

...one more thing. Can I drive it with a leaky t-case for a couple weeks?...and I mean leaky. If it is the front output seal would there be much oil left in the case? When we topped it up it took about a quart of oil. I won't be using 4x4 at all, just on road no more than 10km/day. I gotta work on my girlfriend to change this, otherwise, off to the shop to pay$$$....man I hate not being able to work on my truck ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

just keep watching and keep her topped up buddy. otherwise (correct me if im wrong) but if your tcase runs dry it will put a lot of added stress on your tranny and apart from ur tcase being ruined I think your tranny will not thank you much either.

 

Mine ran dry. And went straight to hell. Now I know to keep my eyes on the fluid levels in my 4runner.

 

How much gear oil should my t-case take....I'm trying to see if there is anything left after we topped it up or if it's dry without going under...cause I can't. Thanks in advance.

 

should hold about 1 qt. maybe a little more but not much.

 

Damn....I'm dry then.

 

Yep, the book says 1.2 quarts. Assuming it's the VF1A, which is behind the G58 transmission. If you have the W56 transmission, RF1A transfer case, then 1.7 quarts.