The transfer case has a drain and fill port and is bolted to the rear of the tranny. It looks like the transfer case shares lube with the transmission. Does transmission fluid lube the transfer case or does the transfer case have its own lube sump area?

Tia

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Jim

So I finally got this one on the lift and got into it 2014 E350 4matic with 160k miles. Found the front universal (crossing bearing in paper mill talk) laying in the plastic pan under engine and the front drive shaft flopping around. Thankfully no more damage than needing to replace the shaft and the "cover" around the front differential.

Tore it down and it seems that there is a small reservoir with drain and fill at the very back of the transfer case and from what I've read you fill this area with 600 ml of transmission fluid (blue in this case). It beats me why MB decided, in their infinite wisdom, to put a convoluted gearset in with what looks like a cv joint for the driven end of the shaft going forward. I'm wondering if I should try to add grease to this area, I've got to look a little closer look at it.

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Jim

That would be the differential. The transfer case oil is changed through the passenger wheel well. Just one fill / removal plug about level with the axle but forward a bit.

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92 e300d2.5t
01 e320
05 cdi
85 chev c10

I've always referred to it as a transfer case. Looking closely at the output shaft (where the front driveshaft attaches to the transfer case) is a very, very poor design because of the way the crossing bearing is built into the gear assembly$.

The older style transfer case with the chain is a better design because of how easy it is to replace the chain but it takes up more room.

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Jim

Sure could have been better designed and easier for sure. Wait till you need to suck out the oil from the transfer case using a very small hose.

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92 e300d2.5t
01 e320
05 cdi
85 chev c10