Complete Drivetrain Fluid Change-awd

ncotter · March 18, 2011

Hello, Newbie here looking for some knowledge of Chevrolet Suburban AWD drivetrain specifications.

Just purchased a 2005 Suburban 5.3 AWD with 57,000 mi. and want to do a complete drivetrain fluid change (front and rear diff., transmission, and transfer case). Anybody have any idea what type of fluids and capacities for each? Did a little search and didn't find anything on the AWD system. Thank you in advance. -Nick

desrtrat · March 20, 2011

Hello, Newbie here looking for some knowledge of Chevrolet Suburban AWD drivetrain specifications.
Just purchased a 2005 Suburban 5.3 AWD with 57,000 mi. and want to do a complete drivetrain fluid change (front and rear diff., transmission, and transfer case). Anybody have any idea what type of fluids and capacities for each? Did a little search and didn't find anything on the AWD system. Thank you in advance. -Nick

05 Suburban's did not come with AWD..only 4X4 and 2X4

txab · March 21, 2011

Hello, Newbie here looking for some knowledge of Chevrolet Suburban AWD drivetrain specifications.
Just purchased a 2005 Suburban 5.3 AWD with 57,000 mi. and want to do a complete drivetrain fluid change (front and rear diff., transmission, and transfer case). Anybody have any idea what type of fluids and capacities for each? Did a little search and didn't find anything on the AWD system. Thank you in advance. -Nick

You can go here and look up your vehicle

ncotter · March 21, 2011

[quote name=

05 Suburban's did not come with AWD..only 4X4 and 2X4

Yes, AWD drive was available in the 05 suburban. I have it! It was a rare option but was indeed available. I just wanted some advice from anyone that has done a complete fluid change on this type of drivetrain. Denali owners should know all about it. Since I bought this truck used, I wanted to pull trans. pan and change filter and remove all fluid from transmission, including torque converter. I think I got both differential fluid type and capacities figuered out, but not sure on trans and transfer case because it is the AWD version. Is it Dex III or DexVI? Thanks from the Newbie

NR4 TRANSFER CASE ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD), OPEN DIFF, TWO SPEED AWD 2 SPD TRANSFER CASE(NR4)

txab · March 21, 2011

You'll need to use Dex VI since it is synthetic and superior to Dex III. The link I posted above gives you all the info you need.

desrtrat · March 21, 2011

this is what you have..full time 4X4

NR4 Transfercase Description:

The Borg Warner (BW) model 4482 NR4 transfer case is a two-speed, full time 4WD, transfer case. The transfer case has an external planetary type differential, which has two different sets of pinion gears. The planetary differential provides a 40/60 torque split front/rear full time. This means the front and rear propeller shafts are constantly being driven for maximum traction in all conditions.

While in the 4HI mode, the transfer case external type planetary differential functions the same as a typical rear axle differential. The transfer case differential pinion gears function as the spider gears, and the sun gears function as the side gears.

The following actions occur because of the planetary differential:

• If the vehicle is on a hoist, and in the 4HI mode, the front propeller shaft can be rotated by hand.

• The vehicle cannot be driven in the 4HI mode if one propeller shaft is removed.

• Operating the vehicle on the hoist, in the 4HI mode, can damage the differential pinion gears, by over-spinning.

• Operating the vehicle with one propeller shaft removed, in the 4HI mode, causes over-spinning of the differential pinion gears.

The BW 4482 design of the planetary differential allows use with the Vehicle Stability Enhancement System (VSES) vehicles. The VSES takes use of the planetary differential, by applying braking to a tire that has less traction and dividing the engine torque to the other axle. A high/low planetary carrier assembly provides the high and low ranges, which is a 4-pinion gear, sun gear, and annulus gear arrangement, giving a 2.64 low range reduction ratio.

The BW 4482 case halves are high-pressure die-cast magnesium. Ball bearings support the input shaft, the front output shaft, and the rear output shaft. A needle roller bearing is located inside of the input shaft gear to support the front of the mainshaft. The rear of the mainshaft is supported by a bronze bearing inside the rear output shaft. The transfer case requires DEXRON®III ATF Fluid GM P/N 12378470 (Canadian P/N 10952622), which is red in color. An oil pump pumps the fluid through the mainshaft oil gallery to the gears and bearings.

true AWD is the NV-149 single speed T-case only found in 03-05 Silverado SS and older Denali

Z45 · March 22, 2011

Yes, AWD drive was available in the 05 suburban. I have it! It was a rare option but was indeed available. I just wanted some advice from anyone that has done a complete fluid change on this type of drivetrain. Denali owners should know all about it. Since I bought this truck used, I wanted to pull trans. pan and change filter and remove all fluid from transmission, including torque converter. I think I got both differential fluid type and capacities figuered out, but not sure on trans and transfer case because it is the AWD version. Is it Dex III or DexVI? Thanks from the Newbie

NR4 TRANSFER CASE ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD), OPEN DIFF, TWO SPEED AWD 2 SPD TRANSFER CASE(NR4)

Are you getting the RPO description from an online lookup? Don't rely 100% on that info, there are bugs that return the wrong info. It can't be an AWD and also be a 2-sp transfer case.

Do you have controls on the dash for the AWD system? If so its not AWD. No driver controls in an AWD system.

All Wheel Drive is an often misused term.

Dexron VI is fully backward compatible, meaning you can use it to replace Dexron III or older.

NOTE-Many say Dexron VI is synthetic but there is nothing that says its synthetic, not on the GM bottles and what more the MSDS I have states the GM ATF is petroleum based. If you want a true synthetic ATF you need to buy from one of the aftermarket companies that produce a true 100% synthetic ATF.

MSDS for GM ATF

Mixture of severely hydrotreated and hydrocracked base oil (petroleum).

ncotter · March 23, 2011

Not sure why all the fuss over the AWD description I posted. I was just asking about actual fluid capacities, from someone who may have done this lately. Thread turned into a you don't have that, you have this, and description from borg warner web site, online lookups are bugged. What, really.....geesh. GM says this truck is AWD. Good enough for me. My owner's manual has a 2 pages of text on how to operate your AWD drivetrain! Ya, it may not be the mechanical viscous coupled setup as your SS truck or a newer caddy but the fact is it is AWD. The window sticker says its a Suburban 1500 LT AWD. I was going to post the sticker but it probably wouldn't matter

It's only selection button is for a 4lo mode. No 4hi, no auto4, and no N.

From my owner's manual:

All-Wheel Drive with Stabilitrak*

All-Wheel drive is like four-wheel drive, but there is no separate lever or switch to engage or disengage the front axle. It is fully automatic, and when combined with StabiliTrak, the all-wheel drive system adjusts itself as needed for road conditions.

There is 3 switch modes:

StabiliTrak: This button is used to enable or disable the StabiliTrak.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE: This button allows the transfer case to distribute power to all four wheels as needed depending on road and driving conditions.

4Lo: This button allows the transfer case to deliver extra torque to the wheels, and provides for precise control of wheel speed by engine braking. You may never need this setting. It sends maximum power to all four wheels. You might choose four wheel low if you are driving in deep snow, mud, and while climbing or descending steep hills.