Q50 DIY Transmission, Transfer Case & Differential Fluid Change

[Robbstein]

My 2014 Q50 AWD is nearing 50K miles and I want to cycle out the transmission, transfer case and differential fluids.

I'm a reasonably handy guy and will generally try to do myself anything that I think I can manage without *too* much headache. I perform all my own engine oil changes, I've done brake disc & pad jobs, I have a full assortment of hand tools and I have the means of jacking up a vehicle using standard jack stands. I also own a hand-operated fluid pump. I also have a copy of the 2014 Infiniti Q50 Service Manual and am capable of following instructions to the letter. Most of the time, the biggest issue I encounter is a bolt or fastener that I can't loosen.

Is draining and refilling the transmission, transfer case and diff fluids something that a weekend mechanic of my caliber could handle without losing their mind or am I better off just biting the bullet and paying the steep cost to have my local Infiniti dealer perform these services? If so, does anyone know of any informative procedural links? I have done a fair amount of searching and the only useful information I've found was GTR Tech's blog from a few years back concerning the differentials (Infiniti Q50 Technical & Operational Blog: DIY Changing Front & Rear Differential Fluids).

Previously I attempted draining the front differential fluid, but found that from below the jacked vehicle and lying on my back with a hex socket ratchet, I was unable to get enough torque/angle to loosen the fill plug (didn't even attempt the drain plug). I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts.

[RicerX]

Welcome to NICO!

I'm not aware of any regulars here that have gotten this far with their Q. I'm about to do the same thing myself on my RWD and was just planning to visit the factory service manual and read up.

The rear differential is easy from what I have looked at so far... I'm afraid my RWD isn't a good reference point for a front differential though. haha. I imagine it's a bit crowded.

[nr2134]

I have always worked on my own cars from building engines to maintenance items like this. When the time came for my 08 X to get transmission, transfer, front/rear diffs fluids changed after I added everything up, it wasnt worth my effort. I shopped around and found a dealer 35min away from me that did it for under $400.00. I even think they flushed my coolant too. Some of the fluids are expensive/specific and I dont remember which one was hard to fill, but it was either the transfer case or the transmission. I looked around for a Redline replacement and nothing came up. If the car was RWD I would attempt it, but spending half a day in the garage to save very little was just not worth it for me.