Front Diff and Transfer Case Oil Change Howto

When things are really stuck, I like air impact tools...sometimes the vibration will help break the item free...and heat.

Howard

 

I tried everything and couldn't get it so I welded a harborfreigh #10 hex to the drain plug. It came right out once I did that. I think the heat from welding helped it too. I hooked up the welding ground to an extension stuck I to the socket to isolate the welding current.

 

I wish I could weld...

 

You can pick up a used little 120v wire feed for pretty cheap on CL. Do some odd jobs, get some practice and see if it's something you wanna get into. Worked for me. I found out I need a lot a practice...

 

Hey Im new to Tacoma World, but just wanna say great thread im planning on changing all the fluids on my 08 taco what brand oil do you suggest or does it not make a huge difference?

 

Gonna do this soon, thanks for the write up!

 

I changed my front and rear differential and transfer case fluids two weekends ago. This thread was a huge help. I used Royal Purple 75W90. I bought a case of six quarts off of Amazon for cheap with free shipping. The front and rear were both a little milky. Not bad. I bought a cheap hand pump. It sucked. I need a better one. The truck rolls easier now. Glad I did it when I did. I'm in WY this week hunting elk and there's a lot of snow and mud. 4WD definitely rolls easier.

Bob

 

Thanks for the post just hit 31k gonna Chang it out iam hearing good things about Amsoil?

 

That was what I used. Seems mighty fine.

 

Serviced front diff while swapping on AP IFS skid. 14k mi, front diff fluid had a TON of break in material in it. The magnet had a rather significant "blob" of ferrous/metallic particles on it. The fluid needed changing, based on that alone IMHO. No water contamination here, I stay completely away from mud/deep water.

Ironically both my front diff fill and drain were nary more than hand tight. Both of mine easily loosened with a 3/8th ratchet (normal sized), with me laying under the vehicle, vehicle on its tires (no leverage whatsoever). I'm not exactly a huge/strong dude either, LOL....Same guy must have tightened my u-bolts, and wheel lugs.

 

Just did my diffs/t-case today... And while I was down there greased my u-joints... Holy dry batman!! 8-10 pumps into all of them.

 

I have been wondering about this, how do you know how much grease to put in?

 

It's been covered- but pump slowly till you see fresh grease coming out of all 4 seals

 

Next time use a breaker bar.

 

Guys my fill plug is 10mm and I believe drain plug is 12mm. So my issue is the 10mm is gunked up with rust etc. Any ideas on what I can do to be able to get the 10mm allen in?

 

That's odd. Someone must have buggered up the drain plug and replaced it. If you haven't already I would start with some kind of penetrating oil and a wire brush depending on how bad it is.

 

I did a lot of reading and I see 75-90 here 75-90 there but no one says if its gl-4 or 5 there is a difference gl-5 shouldn't be used in the tranny or transfer case

 

GL-5 is fully back compatible with GL-4...

 

Havent changed mine sjnce 2010. Went 25k. changed at 50k now has 77k. this is what i got today from the dealer.

 

I'm confused is this a question because you have 8 washers for 6 bolts?
I only got 6... I used 2 of the three #12157 for the rear diff drain and fill, the front fill gets the copper washer and the third #12157, I'd put the 2 next to the copper on the transfer case. Your last digits in the part # don't match mine though.