2004 Pathfinder Transfer case drain plug without magnet

[Phifross]

Dear all,

I'm changing my transfer case fluid following a YouTube video.
On my 2004 Pathfinder I can't find a magnet on the drain plug for the transfer case is that normal?
It looks like according the manual that there is a magnet but on the other side, on the filling plug side but I was not really able to figure where it is exactly.

Is it important to clean this magnet?

I have seen also that there is a filter on it.... do we have to change it?
If yes every what time?

Thank you so much for your help!!!!

[mdmellott]

If you have the LE model with an All Mode 4WD, the drain plug does not have a magnet. I don't see one in the blow up view of this transfer case I see at Nissan Parts Deal. (see below) The models with Part Time 4WD have a magnet on the drain plug. The oil filter on the A/4WD transfer case is a strainer type of filter which can be removed, rinsed off by flushing cleaner through the opposite direction of normal flow, and then replaced with new o-rings. The filter has been discontinued so you can't buy a new one and there is no aftermarket replacement. There is no maintenance schedule for this that I could find.

[mdmellott]

Oops! The oil filter is still available from Nissan. Part number 15208-0W42B comes with o-rings for only $230. What a deal! Yikes! The 2 o-rings are 15226-0W420 and 15226-0W421 at about $18 for the pair. I would remove the old filter, rinse it out, then replace it with new o-rings.