Transfer Box Oil Change

Parts Required:

Oil: EP80/90

LT230R Type: 2.80 litres
LT230T Type:
Up to suffix D: 2.30 litres
Up to suffix E: 2.80 litres
Drain Plug Washer: FRC4808

Frequency

A Transfer Box oil change is part of the 24,000 mile Service schedule

Preparation

The Transfer box is located between the gearbox and the handbrake. The filler plug is partially obscured behind the handbrake drum, while the drain plug is at the lowest point.

It is always recommended to ensure that you can undo the filler plug first before undoing the drain, otherwise you could be stuck with an empty transfer box, late for work and having to weld a bolt onto the filler or trying to cut it out.

I have an LT230 Transfer box with an E suffix. You can find the model stamp diagionally left and down from the filler. Give it a clean with an oily rag and you should also be able to see the ratio sticker which is directly under the filler. The suffix will give you an idea of how much oil you will need to fill the box. Use a 1/2 inch drive to undo the filler, I used my breaker bar as it was easier to fit than my wrench.

Once the filler is undone, place a drip tray or suitable container under the drain plug and, using a 17mm socket or spanner undo it enough so that you can finish it off hand. Remember to keep it pushed in until completely unscrewed and then whip it away so you don’t get oil down your sleeve.

While the oil is draining, clean up the plugs and put a new washer on the drain plug (FRC4808). Give the areas another wipe to make sure you don’t get any bits in the box and torq the drain plug up to 22 lbf ft (30Nm).

As with the Gearbox, the location of the filler makes it difficult to get the new oil in. Flushed with success after my Gearbox oil change I thought I would use the same pump and just pump it in down the pipe. What I didn’t know was that EP 80/90 is quite a bit thicker than MTF94 and really didn’t want to be pushed down the pipe but rather come out the top of the pump in a frothy spraying oily type way. A quick rethink and I decided to use an old 1 litre bottle of Differential oil with a long flexible neck. With my finger over the spout, I was able to get the bottle higher than the filler and then squeeze the oil in. It took 2 and a half fills of the bottle but it worked with minimum mess.

The filler is also the ‘level indicator’ as in when it starts to pour out of the hole, it is full. Give it 5 or 10 minutes to completely drain depending on how vigerous you were with the filling and then screw in the filler plug and torq it up to 18 lbf ft (25 Nm). Wipe the area clean and job done.