Changing differential fluid - A step by step "HOW TO"

brianr · 01-21-2009, 03:22 PM

Yesterday we (Chris4x4, and I) got together to help you all change your diff fluid.

Here is what is required;

-24mm socket (1st gen diff may be a different size)
-ratchet
-rags/shop towels
-milk jug or coffe can... EMPTY ofcourse!
-3 qts 75-90 weight gear oil ( I used 80-90 becasue it was readily available)

(for you guy like me w/ the Sport model, you'll need a 4oz. tube of LSD additive).

First step is to remove the higher of the two plugs ("fill/vent plug").

Step two, remove the lower plug ("drain plug"). Be sure your jug/can/tub/pan is handy.

While the old gear oil is draining, take the time to clean off the magnet on the end of the plug.

When the oil has completely drained, replace the lower or "drain plug".

Now you can begin to refill your differential! You should add your LSD additive sometime between your first and second quart of gear oil.

When filling, the oil will begin to run out at some point. Put the plug in the fill hole, and let the gear oil run down into the lenght of the axle shaft. After a few minutes, remove the plug and begin to fill again.

Remember to replace your fill plug! And to torque the fill plug, and drain plug to 36 ft- lbs

EDIT-

Quote:

Originally Posted by rab89

Hey there, I just wanted to let you know, so you can update, that the first gen uses the same size 24mm socket.

PackerfanXD · 01-21-2009, 04:00 PM

Awesome write up!

When will I need to do this?

wolfpack_5150 · 01-21-2009, 04:02 PM

Good idea, thanks guys!

Anyone who does this for the first time.....Please dont just spin off the drain plug first. Take off the fill first just like the writeup says, that way ur not stuck with an empty rear end (insert joke here). Ive seen ppl smack there drain plug free, dump the gl5 and cant get the fill plug free cuz its rounded or whatnot. I admit it, I used to work at a few quick lube places and had to bail out a couple people cuz of them doing this. I always got fired for cussin out my bosses, or walked out cussin at em. Not because I screwed something up (knocks on wood). I just have a low tolerence for BS, and demand respect from anyone I deal with boss or not.

-TRDMAN- · 01-21-2009, 04:03 PM

BADASS!!! good write up guys!

tacomaman06 · 01-21-2009, 04:43 PM

great write up!!! should be stickied! i forgot all about doing a write up when i did mine on the 06, and again when i did mine on the 04!

chris4x4 · 01-21-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PackerfanXD

Awesome write up!

When will I need to do this?

I think its recomended at 15,000 miles.

dually · 01-21-2009, 06:20 PM

When i changed mine a while back, it was the worst smelling shit ever.

chris4x4 · 01-21-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dually

When i changed mine a while back, it was the worst smelling shit ever.

Yeah, it doesnt smell good. Brian thought he smelled it in his truck when we were finished.

PackerfanXD · 01-21-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris4x4

I think its recomended at 15,000 miles.

Ok, thanks. That'll give me something extra to do on mod day.

tacomaman06 · 01-21-2009, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PackerfanXD

Ok, thanks. That'll give me something extra to do on mod day.

actually...every 30k

.......but change it early and go with synthetic!!

wildjerseyfirefighter · 01-21-2009, 06:41 PM

think this is like trans fluid? if its never been done, dont do it? Ive got 125K on my 96, and ive never done the trans,coolant or rear fluid since ive had it(got it at 61K).

chris4x4 · 01-21-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacomaman06

actually...every 30k

.......but change it early and go with synthetic!!

Ah. Ok. I change mine every 15k or so, but I tow a boat, and dunk the rear in the water often. FWIW, I havent found a synthetic that works good in the LSD rear of the second gens.

Toy4Life · 01-21-2009, 06:48 PM

Don't forget, if you have 4WD, there is also a front differential and different tools required to change the fluid.

wildjerseyfirefighter · 01-21-2009, 06:53 PM

so whos gonna do a write up on the front diff? lol

brianr · 01-21-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildjerseyfirefighter

think this is like trans fluid? if its never been done, dont do it? Ive got 125K on my 96, and ive never done the trans,coolant or rear fluid since ive had it(got it at 61K).

oh gawd, change it!

afd23a · 01-21-2009, 07:12 PM

For those who haven't done it before, you may want to get one of these to make it easier to get the fluid in.

chris4x4 · 01-21-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afd23a

For those who haven't done it before, you may want to get one of these to make it easier to get the fluid in.

Thats a good thing to have. I have only needed to use them on the front diff, and transfer case, as I have found the rear has enough room to just pour it in from the bottle.

Monkeysuncle · 01-21-2009, 07:16 PM

If you don't have a 24mm socket, which I didn't, a 15/16s socket will work, thats what I used on diff and 5 speed oil changes a few weeks back.

wildjerseyfirefighter · 01-21-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianr

oh gawd, change it!

is it safe? I dont wanna "shock" it

chris4x4 · 01-21-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildjerseyfirefighter

is it safe? I dont wanna "shock" it

Yes its safe. You may feel much more power in fact, as the gears dont have to try and transmit power thru thickass old oil.

01-21-2009, 04:00 PM	#2
PackerfanXD Impeach and deport Obama Name: Matt Joined: Aug 2008, #8741 Location: The free state of Arizona Age: 36 Gender: Male Posts: 6,751 2007 TRD Off Road 2007 Double Cab Automatic 4.0 V6 Bilstein 5100's (front set @ .85"), OME 885's, chris4x4 anti-Taco-lean spacer on driver's side, Total Chaos UCAs, Rear Leaf Spring TSB, Toytec AALs, Black FJ TT Wheels, BFG 285/75R 16 AT Tires, TRD Exhaust, Viper Alarm, Fog Light Mod, De-badged, Blue LED Dome Light, EZ Clamped Tailgate, Wet Okoles, Satoshi Grill, 5% Tint, Engine Tick Fix, Black Rear Bumper, Black Center Valence, Thanks for all the help chris4x4!	Awesome write up! When will I need to do this? __________________

01-21-2009, 04:03 PM	#4
-TRDMAN- Ted Nugent For President! Name: Greg Joined: Dec 2006, #514 Location: CLARION, PENNSYLVANIA Gender: Male Posts: 2,001 08 WHITE ACCES CAB 2008 Access Cab Manual 2.7 litler hemi eater! Toytec 2.5" lift	BADASS!!! good write up guys! __________________ 2.7 Liter Hemi Eater! Sig by robrjohnson

01-21-2009, 04:43 PM	#5
tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Redneck Division Name: Will Joined: May 2007, #1475 Location: York,South Carolina Age: 31 Gender: Male Posts: 25,450 04 trd tacoma 4x4 v6 double cab 2004 Double Cab Automatic 3.4 v6 vent visors,deck plate mod, gray wire mod, black steelies and emblems, mag-lite mod, wheelers/ome suspension, stainless brake lines,blacked out bumpers(bedliner),dynomax super turbo muffler,cabelas mossy oak seat covers ans camo steering wheel cover,brush guard, hella 500(x4)custom built(by me) hitch hauler),budbuilt skids,revenge-fab sliders,inchworm locker skid,cobra cb,wilson 3 ft antenna,hi-lift jack(tool box mounted) painted stock wheels, afe pro dry s filter..........still to come...trd headers and redline tuning hood struts	great write up!!! should be stickied! i forgot all about doing a write up when i did mine on the 06, and again when i did mine on the 04! __________________ i am WILL--my ride=04 tacoma trd 4x4 double cab, v6, auto,deck plate mod, grey wire mod, billy 5100's all the way around,black low-pro uws toolbox, black steelies,blacked out emblems, mag light mod,wheelers/alcan springs, ome 881 coils, braided stainless brake lines, polyurethane bushings,dynomax super turbo/slash cut tip-blacked out,chrome deleted bumpers via herculiner bed liner,color matched bedlinered tailgate, camo seat covers,sockmonkey decals,husky floor liners, hunter brush guard, 4 hella 500's(2 spotlight/2fog light),budbuilt skid plates,inchworm e-locker skid,revenge-fab sliders,cobra cb/loudspeaker PA, pioneer headunit/infinity reference components/2ways, total chaos uca's......plenty more still to come!!! http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa269/tacomaman06/ signature by piercedtiger www.myspace.com/goodolboy1979

01-21-2009, 06:41 PM	#11
wildjerseyfirefighter Fist Pumpin at the Jersey Shore Name: Joe Joined: Dec 2008, #11677 Location: NJ Age: 24 Gender: Male Posts: 4,223 96 Tacoma 4x4 1996 Access Cab Automatic 3.4L V6 Tinted windows,CAI,TRD Wheels,Herculined bed,full sound system,scanguage,custom in-dash nav.,all new lights,borla cat back, billstien 5100's up front,wet okle seat covers,Energy suspension bushings	think this is like trans fluid? if its never been done, dont do it? Ive got 125K on my 96, and ive never done the trans,coolant or rear fluid since ive had it(got it at 61K). __________________ Welcome to New Jersey; Home of where the weak are killed and eaten. Life's too short for stupid people. My build

01-21-2009, 06:53 PM	#14
wildjerseyfirefighter Fist Pumpin at the Jersey Shore Name: Joe Joined: Dec 2008, #11677 Location: NJ Age: 24 Gender: Male Posts: 4,223 96 Tacoma 4x4 1996 Access Cab Automatic 3.4L V6 Tinted windows,CAI,TRD Wheels,Herculined bed,full sound system,scanguage,custom in-dash nav.,all new lights,borla cat back, billstien 5100's up front,wet okle seat covers,Energy suspension bushings	so whos gonna do a write up on the front diff? lol __________________ Welcome to New Jersey; Home of where the weak are killed and eaten. Life's too short for stupid people. My build

01-21-2009, 04:02 PM	#3
wolfpack_5150 Resident Apple Pie Monster Name: Brock Joined: Jun 2008, #7599 Location: Central coast Age: 30 Gender: Guy Posts: 8,219 socked '06 TuRD 2x2 2006 Access Cab Automatic 4.0 Pop and lock, TSB leaf pack, alarm w/2 way remote, Flowmaster 40, wrangler S/A, revenge fab sliders, Steel Braided brake lines, socked decals,full tint,weather techs, 5100's, eibach 620's, toytec AAL, brembos, hawks,TW sticker :-)...	Good idea, thanks guys! Anyone who does this for the first time.....Please dont just spin off the drain plug first. Take off the fill first just like the writeup says, that way ur not stuck with an empty rear end (insert joke here). Ive seen ppl smack there drain plug free, dump the gl5 and cant get the fill plug free cuz its rounded or whatnot. I admit it, I used to work at a few quick lube places and had to bail out a couple people cuz of them doing this. I always got fired for cussin out my bosses, or walked out cussin at em. Not because I screwed something up (knocks on wood). I just have a low tolerence for BS, and demand respect from anyone I deal with boss or not.

01-21-2009, 06:20 PM	#7
dually Low and slow Joined: Jul 2008, #8205 Location: Your Basement Age: 19 Gender: Dude Posts: 2,375 1998 2WD 2.4L 1998 Regular Cab Automatic 2.4L Too much	When i changed mine a while back, it was the worst smelling shit ever.

01-21-2009, 06:48 PM	#13
Toy4Life 668: The Neighbor of the Beast Name: Chad Joined: Aug 2007, #2566 Location: Slippery Rock, PA Age: 30 Gender: Male Posts: 5,167 96 Subaru Outback 2.2 5mt Access Cab Automatic 3.0 V6 92 4Runner SR5 3.0v6 4x4(sold) 02 Tacoma SR5 TRD Offroad 4x4 (sold)	Don't forget, if you have 4WD, there is also a front differential and different tools required to change the fluid.

01-21-2009, 07:12 PM	#16
afd23a Does things the hard way Joined: Sep 2008, #9483 Location: Nashville, TN Gender: Male Posts: 941 05 Access Cab 5 Lugger 2005 Access Cab Manual 2.7L Factory Fog Lights, Removed Secondary Air Filter, AFE Pro Dry-S Air Filter, Metra Ipod Adapter, AMSOil Fuids, Removed Air Intake Resonator, Int Wiper Stalk, Wet Okole's, URD Short Shifter, Scanguage II w/Blendmount, Fat Bob's 2.75" spacer lift, ARE topper	For those who haven't done it before, you may want to get one of these to make it easier to get the fluid in.

01-21-2009, 07:16 PM	#18
Monkeysuncle My cats breath smells like cat food Name: Kevin Joined: Aug 2008, #8809 Location: Florida Gender: Dude Posts: 587 99 Tacoma SR5 4x4 5 speed Manual Hubs 1999 Xtra Cab Manual 3.4 V6 Diff Breather,CB thingy,GPS,Cop Shocks,Cop Breaks, It's got a 440, so it runs good on any gas. Deck Plate mod	If you don't have a 24mm socket, which I didn't, a 15/16s socket will work, thats what I used on diff and 5 speed oil changes a few weeks back. __________________ This guy said to me , Have a nice Day. I said, Don't tell me what to do.

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