I want to change the front/rear/center diff fluid and in the FSM, they mention a gasket and some RTV - depending on the diff.

Exactly how many parts are required for this?

Seems like Amsoil for the front/read diffs and Nissan for the center right?

 

No one? I just need to know which gaskets to pick up (if any).

 

all you need is gear oil, and a pump to refill it.

clean the magnetic drain plug, and reuse the gasket. torque is snug. no need to crank down on it, nor use RTV.

 

and by the way, there is no center differential. you will find a transfer case - this is an extension off the rear of the transmission. fluid used here is regular old ATF.

 

I know it's probably too late on this one, but this is not correct. The transfer case takes Matic D which is different than the Matic J/S that goes in the transmission.

 

And if possible use the Matic S supposly better.

 

This is also incorrect. The transfer case uses Matic D, not Matic S. Matic S is for the transmission and should not be used in the transfer case. It is not "supposedly better" than Matic D, it's a different fluid. You're probably thinking of Matic J, which was replaced by Matic S.

Please delete your post.

 

hahahha, wow...confusing!

 

LOL, I just read this and thought the same thing.
People should be very careful about giving out info, if they know the correct answer then post it, otherwise don't lead people astray.

 

^+1

It's pretty simple for people to look in their manual

 

Pasted this straight from the manual (.pdf from infinitihelp.com):

Differential gear oil: Genuine NISSAN Differential Oil Hypoid Super GL-5 80W-90 or API GL-5 Viscosity SAE 80W-90*6

Others have used 75W-90 (synthetic) but I will probably use OEM for warranty purposes. There is no mention in the manual how many quarts are needed, or the procedure involved.

 

Yeah, this is kinda confusing. I read multiple threads & DIY's regarding fluid changes in our AWD's, as well as the FSM, just to make sure I was doing this correctly. For warranty purposes, the only places to be concerned are with the transmission itself and a transfer case if you've got an AWD. These should get the proper Nissan fluid to maintain your warranty. There are stickers on the car which emphasize this. The differential(s) do not require Nissan fluid, just make sure you're using a high quality 75W-90 or 80W-90 gear oil, preferably synthetic.

I just replaced the fluids in both my differentials with Amsoil Synthetic Gear Lube 80W-90 (http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/agl.aspx), while many others have used Amsoil Severe Gear 75W-90 (http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/svg.aspx). The Severe Gear may be better, but with our relatively short fluid change interval (30K miles), it's probably overkill for most of us. But considering it's maybe a $10 difference every 30K miles, I might go with the Severe stuff next time. The front fluid in my car was still quite golden in color, although a little darker than the new stuff. The rear fluid was a little darker, but still obviously a gold color, nowhere close to the black I've seen from others on this site.

Regarding the OP's questions, if you plan your change ahead of time, then get 5 new gaskets (2 each for the diffs, 1 for the transfer case), some RTV sealant, and gloves (mechanic's or surgical). If you don't plan ahead, you'll pretty much be OK there too, but get some gloves no matter what. Many, including myself, have just re-used the metal gaskets without any problems. I would recommend pulling them off the bolts and cleaning both sides so there's no material in the way to prevent a good seal, but they're just a flat ring pressed between two other flat surfaces. It's not like they're a crusher washer that's deformed upon installation. I haven't done the transfer case yet (waiting until I do the tranny), but many others have done the same thing there, although I do plan on using RTV sealant since there's no gasket on the fill plug.

BTW, be prepared to use many paper towels. Putting the fluids in the diffs is a PITA, and some of it will drip onto you or the floor at some point. I would recommend a double ended pump of some type, one with an intake and output tube. I had a single ended pump where you dipped it into the oil, pulled back on the handle to draw it in, then squirted it into the diff. Just a frickin' hassle that I won't go through again with that pump. Amsoil sells a pump screws onto their bottles.

 

How many quarts are needed for the transfer case and the differential?

Also let me understand this AWD cars have 2 differentials (front/back) and 1 transfer case correct? For the differentials you can use any high quality synthetic gear oil 80W or 75W. But for the transfer case you should use Nissan Matic D (not J/S).

 

Correct, AWD has 2 diffs and a transfer case.

F/R Differentials: 80W-90 or 75W-90 Gear Oil, preferably synthetic.
Quantity: Between them, less than 3 quarts. I have maybe 1/3rd of a quart left, and that's with some drippage and a slight overfill on the rear diff.

Transfer Case: Nissan Matic D. Mine cost $5.84 per quart at the Nissan dealer.
Quantity: Per the FSM, about 1.25 quarts. I haven't done it yet, but it's probably not much different than the diffs.

Transmission: Nissan Matic J or S. Probably can't find J anymore since S replaced it. Cost me $10.82 per quart at that same Nissan dealer.
Quantity: Basic drain and fill is around 6 quarts (est.), full FSM drain including torque converter is about 10 quarts, again estimated.

I suggest buying more Matic S than you think you'll need because you don't want to be short, and you can always return any unopened quarts.

 

Thanks Buckeye. Do I need to buy the gaskets? All over the FSM it repeats in BOLD not to reuse the gaskets? Anyone have part numbers for these?