Differential and TransferCase Oil Change

Differential and transfer case oil change at PRO SERVICE (Batumi, Airport Highway 212): rear and front axles, transfer case, crossover PTU. We match oil to the specification and check seals and breathers. From … GEL per unit, time 30-60 min.

Where the differentials are

• Rear differential (axle) — on rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive cars.
• Front differential — on 4x4s with a separate front axle.
• Transfer case — splits torque between the axles on all-wheel drive.
• PTU (power take-off unit) — on crossovers with on-demand AWD. It holds little oil and runs hot, so on a number of models the oil ages faster than owners expect.
• On front-wheel-drive cars the differential sits inside the gearbox and is serviced with it: manual gearbox oil or automatic transmission fluid.

When to change

Per the manufacturer's schedule — and sooner if:

• the axle hums or whines at speed and the sound changes under load;
• the car went through deep water (a ford, streets flooded after a downpour): water enters through the breather and turns the oil milky;
• there is a leak at the pinion or axle seals;
• you bought a used 4x4 or crossover with unknown history;
• you tow regularly or drive on dirt roads and mountains.

What differs between units

• Limited-slip differentials (LSD) need oil with an LSD additive or a separate friction modifier. The wrong oil causes chatter and jerks in corners.
• Hypoid axle gears run on GL-5 oil of the correct viscosity.
• Transfer cases and AWD couplings often take their own fluid; couplings may have their own schedule and filter.
• The level is always set at the check plug: we fill with a pump to the lower edge of the hole.

How we do it

1. On the lift: inspect seals, boots, breather and any impact marks on the housing.
2. Filler plug first, then drain plug; we look at the oil color and metal on the magnet.
3. Fill with oil to spec, check the level, new washers on the plugs.

Prices