Transfer case only taking 1.8 quarts?!? please help ASAP!

[Pezgoon]

I went to change my transfer case fluid in my (new to me) 2002 pathfinder le 4x4 yesterday and as I opened the filler plug, probably a good half a quart came out of it.. It has 136k on it and the previous owner had no idea if its ever been changed, it was pretty black when it came out... After draining it, it filled almost 3 quarts in my measured jug (about 2.75 and the amount that ended up on the floor probably adds up to 3) i guessed that the ride height has changed from towing (last owner towed) and from age causing the fluid to come out the filler plug... so i jacked the rear end up 4-5 inches higher than the front (originally it was about 2 inches lower than the front...) after starting to refill it I only was able to get 1.8 quarts in before it started leak back out of the fill plug... So what should I do? I have an all time 4wd transfer case and the service book lists the capacity at 3.2 quarts... Should I continue jacking up the rear until I can fit all 3.2 quarts? Can anyone tell me the stock ride height so I know how high I should jack it? If anyone could please help it would be much appreciated!!!!

[yngw13]

yea...apparently your not the only one...there is another thread about that same problem...have to do mine also soon...


found it!

post6352879.html?hilit=transfer#p6352879

[Pezgoon]

Thank you for the response but it has no answer :/ I'm trying to jack up the rear tires to see if I can get it in but if anyone has found a solution please let me know, and in reference to the filter has anyone taken it out and how it has looked or if is really necessary? The service manual and maintenance schedule never speak of it but I found it buried in the online PDF.. Any suggestions would be amazing please

[Towncivilian]

Welcome to NICO.

The filter is held on by three bolts. You can remove it and spray brake cleaner to clean it out, I think it's just a metal mesh. You can probably re-use the O-rings; apply petroleum jelly or fresh ATF to the rings before reinstallation. This filter would not hold 2.6 quarts though, so I am still befuddled as to this mystery.

Perhaps roll through your local dealer's service department and ask the service adviser to see if his master tech encountered this issue before?