Ok this is my fault, but I went to find the transfer case this afternoon with the intent of putting in like 1/4 of a bottle of gear oil stuff I had laying around. Pretty dumb idea because I already had trouble squeezing in what I could into the differential through this little straw I had. So I drain the transfer case, piece of cake, just like the differential, but I go to fill it up with the almost empty bottle of oil I had and of course I'm barely able to get any into the transfer case. So I'm like dripping oil everywhere and siphoning oil in this tiny straw then trying to empty it into the transfer case and I realize there is no way I'm getting the rest of that oil in. So I made an emergency trip over to the closest auto parts store, driving super delicately, and buy a bottle of royal purple gear oil and fill it up right there at the store. At night. Anyways, it shifts great now. Really hope I didn't do any damage driving there. It did have some new oil in it but not very much. Anyways, got the oil changed, the round-about way. Note to self, have the new oil you plan on putting in before you drain the old oil. I also bought one of those little hand pumps to make it easier next time... Anyways, I am happy with the results. The old oil stank. I can still smell it. It shifts really smooth now though. Not the best way to do it but did get it done anyways. Next on my list, I have to figure out how to grease that shaft bearing and change the tranny oil.

 

I doubt you did any more damage than thousands of miles did on low oil that was probably more like super stinky chocolate pudding than gear oil. Gear oil is pretty tenacious and if you had any on the gears at all it was probably OK for a short trip.

What I used to do when I raced Formula Vee was run qualifying with gear oil in the transaxle and then drain it for the race to reduce the viscous friction. Never lost a transaxle in a race.

 

Alright cool thanks. Yea that oil was pretty dark and stinky. Not super dark but definitely ready for a change. The car shifts so much different now. It's so effortless now. Heard that Royal Purple was good stuff... Hoping if I can keep up with regular maintenance I can make the car last. Up next is the tranny fluid...