Axle stands and fluid levels

[Jpdv]

Something I can't find anything on... I'm just getting ready for front and rear diffs, transfer box and transmission flush/refill.

Does the act of tilting the vehicle on the axle stands cause any issues with refill where they are 'fill to spill'? Given the lack of comments/solutions, my assumption is 'theoretically yes, in practice don't worry about it'?

Any comments from the expert squad? (And don't tell me to buy a hoist!)

[shanegtr]

Will it affect the fill level - yes as ideally the fill point is set with the car level. How much it will affect in regards to too little or too much oil would vary depending on the angle. I always aim to have a level car when filling and checking oil levels

[Jpdv]

Will it affect the fill level - yes as ideally the fill point is set with the car level. How much it will affect in regards to too little or too much oil would vary depending on the angle. I always aim to have a level car when filling and checking oil levels

Pretty much what I expected: but I've seen a number of pretty credible mechanics doing all of the above on axle stands (eg Robbie's guide recommendation, various videos...). There's no way I can work under the vehicle without lifting it at least 'a bit', so accepting that one would indeed always aim to do it level, I just wondered if anyone can confirm if its a serious (like show stopping) issue if you can't do it level? Or do I get 2 more axle stands and laboriously jack the whole thing up on 4 - sounds a bit risky just writing it... The actual tasks are simple, but (as ever) the devil's in the preparatory detail, and I'm not a trained mechanic, so this is all good learnings... My assumption is that in the worst case, I'm going to be 'a few' (up to say, 20 ml?) mls low if I jack so the fill port is 'downhill', and that's better than overfilling?

[Bulletman]

The diffs are fill by volume and if you measure the correct amount it doesnt flow out the hole unless you are on a very steep angle. The transfer and gearbox would be more affected by side angle rather than fore/aft I would think .
From my experience filling gearbox I reckon oil temperature effects it the most but that's just my thoughts.
Cheers Bulletman

[DieselLSE]

What Bulletman says. The diffs are fill by volume, so exact levelling is not required. The transfer case is fill to spill, but you'd have to have the vehicle on the side of a mountain to stuff it up. BTW, at extended height, there's enough room to crawl under and fill up diffs and TC.
As for gearbox, I'd recommend finding an authorised ZF agent and get them to do it. Cost should be around $750 and is well worth it.
As for stands, I use four of them and I reckon I get the car as near as dammit to level.

[josh.huber]

Up on ramps facing down the driveway?

I have done mine on ramps. Never a drama. Even checked again on level.. No real change..

To do the box, I just put it in Super high mode and crawl under with a jack or stand to protect me

[DiscoJeffster]

I don’t bother to fill by volume as the volume is a bees dick off the drain plug level anyhow, so I just fill to level and wait for it to stop, seal her up. Hasn’t been an issue.

[PerthDisco]

And since the fill is on the side in about the middle and not the back or front any angle front up or back up makes tiny difference. We are talking mls of difference on a tiny fluid volume in the first place.

[jwb]

I raise up to max height - off road plus Llams max. Put stands under the chassis rails as a safety.
Pull the air suspension fuse in the engine bay.

[Tombie]

I raise up to max height - off road plus Llams max. Put stands under the chassis rails as a safety.
Pull the air suspension fuse in the engine bay.

Excatly how I do it.... No jacking up or ramps necessary.