Well this is my first post in the X-Type section and I think it is about something that will be a good addition. A few weeks back I added a drain point to my transfer box to make oil changes so much easier without the need of undertaking the process of jacking up either side of the car to fill/drain from the commonly used plug. This is something that I'd also like to add to the rear differential and would like to ask if any others have done the task? If so I'm struggling to find any drawings or pictures of the internals to know which side the ring gear is on so I can avoid that. Ideally if the wall thickness of the cast iron housing is thick enough then I'd like to drill and tap for a NPT/BSP plug so that I do not have to worry about getting an adequate surface finish on the rough casting and instead use the tapered threads to seal. Here's a picture of my transfer box drain plug:

 

I’m intrigued by your post. Did you post step by step procedures on where and how to do this? What parts are needed, etc.?
Id like to change the oil in my transfer case, but don’t have the ability to raise each side of the car to 24” without buying a $500 high rise floor Jack and high rise Jack stands
thanks.

 

I first did this some nine years ago and wrote it up here

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...t=transfer+box

I've done it again on another X type since then, but this time I left the original so-called drain plug in place and made up a miniature non-return valve to go directly in the new low drain point that I made 8M this time. Once the fluid is in, I just remove the valve and block off the drain with a finger until I get hold of the plug and get it in real quick!! Minimal fluid loss. It should be possible to do it with a simple hose connector with no non-return valve if your quick at each stage.

I keep meaning to do something similar to the diff, but it never seems to make it to the top of the to-do list!

 

Just read Astromorg's write-up...great idea!

My car has been hanging around at my mechanic's place (free off-street storage) since just after my transplant, so it isn't like it is being driven. Hoping that maybe this summer, I'll be able to drive again a bit...and we'll be changing every fluid before she goes back out on the road..

I'm thinking that adding drain plugs isn't such a bad idea!

 

Anyone do this or look up best place to drill?
Doing xfer case now, bought the tap and the plug(s) came in a 5pack.
Might as well do the diff while it's off the ground and I have everything...

 

These are two different kinds of cattle, but they have one thing in common: If you mess up cutting the new thread properly, you killed you TC (transfer case) or diff respectively.

TC: This is a good idea to a point: The problem of TC-gear-oil is solved, but not the issue of refilling it, but I guess, tilting the X-Type to be able to get all the new TC-gear-oil in might still be an option. I only just finished REMOVING my TC twice (long story, it was simply in my way on the way to the tranny), and I did a proper gear-oil change which the TC was removed from the car. There are several kinds of information of how much gear oil goes in there - I chose the max. I have heard of: 600ml. And the thing is: I do not believe that it is possible to fill in 600ml into the built-in TC, while the X-Type is straight an level. But I will consider this idea for the future. I can confirm one thing: without either removing the TC from the Jag or drilling a new drain-hole it will be impossible to do a gear oil change, as you will never be able to tilt the X-Type sufficiently to remove the utterly unbelievable amount of worst sludge (tar-like), which is sitting in there, out of the TRC...

Diff.: Imho: Attempting to cut a hole into the diff is not worth the trouble and risk, because I came up with a pretty easy way to do a proper diff oil change without diff-modification:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...change-273829/

 

Transfer case is done and it has at least 600ml in it.
Almost nothing came out of it after drilling, probably 2 or 3 ounces of nasty fluid.
Not only does the new drain plug ​​empty jaguars mystery vanishing oil but it's an easy fill point.
I bought the gear oil in a bag, put the nipple in drain hole and easily squeezed it in.
Drop bag, finger over hole, then insert plug. I did not even touch the factory "mid" plug.

The diff is almost as bad as the transfer case as far as access, but at least it has a fill hole.
I didn't drill a drain hole since I haven't figured out the best place to drill and tap.
I topped off the diff fluid and it must have came with the same vanishing fluid from Jaguar as it took a lot.
I see your write up on the change, nice job and documentation.
It's a shame, you shouldn't need to make tools for what is essentially routine maintenance...
Maybe I'll get around to drilling and tapping the diff, but it's good enough for now.

Edit... FYI if you have a 1/4 to 3/8 adapter it and a 1/4 inch ratchet allows access to the diff fill plug.