Front & rear differential & transfer case fluid

[maverick415]

I could not find any information about changing the above fluids on this forum. Has anybody done this yet? Looking for the size socket or hex bolts for the drain plugs. Any particular brand of diff oil good to use for the QX56? What viscosity? Do you need a fluid transfer pump? Thanks

 

[maverick415]

The dealer wants $300 for front/rear diff and transfer case oil change due to specialized Nissan synthetic oil? I'm sure somebody else on this forum has looked into doing this themselves. Any info to share?

 

[ATC]

The dealer wants $300 for front/rear diff and transfer case oil change due to specialized Nissan synthetic oil? I'm sure somebody else on this forum has looked into doing this themselves. Any info to share?

At my stealership $99.95 for the transfer case and $99.95 for the differential.
BTW they charge $428 for the 15k maintenance which includes: oil & filter, rotate & balance tires, 4 wheel alignment, cabin & engine air filters, wiper blades, & BG 44K fuels system cleaner, as well as multipoint inspections etc.... subtract the wiper blades and cabin & engine filters (DIY) & maybe the BG cleaner and will be much less than $428
$736 for the 30k..... same as 15k PLUS: drain flush and refill coolant, replace engine drive belts.

One other note, windshield wiper blades can wear out or become less than functional even if ONLY used once or twice a year . Not saying they need to be replaced every 15k but lack of use does not preserve the functionality.

 

[marctronixx]

Nissan does not recommend any fuel system cleaner at all. As long as one uses tier 1 petrol and keeps engine fluids maintained, i think such cleaners are a waste. My opinion of course an it may vary from others....

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[maverick415]

30K Service

ATC, that sounds about right. They will get you for $99 on the rear diff and another $99 for front diff. The transfer case is another $99. I called 4 different Infinity dealerships and that seems like the going rate. If you look at the attached 30k service recs, schedule 1 and 2 only recommend inspecting these items. However, I just bought my 2011 QX56 used with 35k and in my opinion changing these fluids before 40k on a 4WD QX is important (2WD does not have a transfer case or front diff). New vehicles have higher risk of metal shavings floating around the transfer case, front diff and rear diff during the break in period.

Changing out these fluids myself isn't that hard but Infinity calls for special Nissan fluid (in order to keep the warranty valid) which is very expensive and I wouldn't save that much money by doing this myself anyway.

My local dealer agreed to do the 30k schedule 1 and 2 service attached and change the transfer case oil, rear diff oil and front diff oil for $500. Seems like a fair price for 30k service and changing of these fluids.

 

[3rd Infiniti]

In regards to differential and transf case fluid change - does it really have to be done at 30k miles? My 08 G35X has 40k miles - dealer wants $529 for the 30k miles service - but says that all the fluids "look good." He also said that starting in 2009 the fluids don't have to be changed until 90k miles? I asked what changed from year to year - he couldn't answer.
So - is this a "nice to have" kind of thing every 30k miles? or is it really necessary on the 08 models.

 

[Gumbey]

Even though the dealer may indicate a diff fluid and tranny fluid change @ 30k miles, the service manual does not. It is a suggestion at best.

When I made an apt for my 48,000kms (or 30k miles) service they quoted me 1500$.....yeah.
After some research I decided I was only going to do the inspection #2 which is oil change and lube etc. Nothing major. I purchased the cabin filter and engine filter myself for $100 combined and did it myself.

In talking with my parts guy at Infiniti, even he said that he would not change any diff or tranny fluid until 96,000kms. He did say, however that you *could* change the brake fluid and service the rear (brakes) as they tend to wear quite fast on the QX.

My $0.02!

 

[Dread_Parrot]

probably GL-5

The differential fluids are probably GL-5, API standard. It should be somewhere in that owners manual, I'll see if I can find it.
If that's the case , Mobil one or Valvoline synthetic would be what you would use. Nissan is probably buying a private make and saying its special, and putting their name on it. The API standard is what you need to find.
Transfer case is probably a ATF fluid. Transmission is sealed so the transfer case could be unless you see the fill and drain plugs.
Change the differential fluids, don't cheap out on that rear one especially. Because it works hard and Like Maverick says, there are wear metal in that oil cause its new, it wears to a point and settles in, drain early. I have seen 20K fluid come out looking like chocolate milk. I am not leaving mine in there that long
Have a good one
Parrott

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[Kcrebel]

I just had the 30k service work done on mine. I was quoted $795. I had them do the standard oil, filter and tire rotation service plus full inspection for $80. I got the cabin and air filters myself.
Haven't addressed the front/rear diff or t/c case fluids. What do you guys suggest? I can't justify $600 for that work to be done if it's a simple drain and refill provided the fluids are available to us.
I got nailed once on a wiper change so I won't make that mistake again. They got me for $50. $25 for the wipers and $11 per to install. I told them that was stupid on me for not verifying prior to but it wouldn't happen again. Need new wipers but not about to have them replace them.
Other than that my guys have been really good about pricing, services, etc. It may be because I have learned to ask prior to committing to doing anything.
Let me know what you guys think. My situation is somewhat unique as this is technically my work vehicle so I will have to either keep it or buy a new vehicle for work in 3 years. For this reason I have elected to let them do all of the oil changes so I would have a record of them if/when we got ready to trade it or sell it. I do have a limit on how much I am willing to pay someone else to do something I can do for much less though that's for sure.