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

Sounds like you are ok to go on any synthetic. Its if you have the LSD (limited slip diff) that you run into issues that pretty much require royal purple.

 

Does anyone know what to torque these down to? I read all the way through and didn't see it.

Thanks again.

J

 

^ Thanks kind sir.

You're a man of such wisdom. Just finished the rear differential in an hour. I let it drain for 40 min. Allowed 3-5 minutes in between filling to set in. All done and done.

 

I've got a concern in which I'm sure its no big deal. I completely drained the old oil. I filled it back up and allowed time in between each quart. Once on the last quart, it was overfilling and I put the fill bolt back on. I drove it 80-100ft to allow the oil to fill in. I proceeded to fill it back up with a tad more. I still have some oil left over. I'm thinking I put in 2.9 worth of Oil. I still have some left...I'm ok right?

I'm reading everyone was able to add in 3 QT with no signs of over flowing. .


Chris? =)

 

If it is flowing out the fill hole, life is good. Casting differences and such make the capacity vary. If you are nervous, check it in a day or two.

 

Royal Purple is the sh!t! I've been using it in my engine since I got my truck (tried mobil1 and one other). I could actually feel and hear a difference every time I switched back to RP. I just did my trans service and diff service and used RP max ATF and RP max gear

$26 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90 and WOW what a difference!!! Trucks shifts sooo much smoother than it did before and it shifted really smooth before. Royal Purps all the way!

 

So yea, I've been stalking here for awhile, haven't really had the need to post since I mostly just search, but here goes. I'm Mike and I bought an 01 Taco 4x4 with a 3.4L V6 (she's almost at 90k) 3 months ago. OK.
Anyways, I just changed out my transfer case fluid with RP, but they didn't have enough to do the rear diff, so I have to wait. In the mean time I tried to find the fill port for the front diff, but I can't find it! I searched all over, but all I see are three bolts to the left of the drain, none of which look similar. I looked online for pictures, but still failed...Any ideas? I apologize if this was covered somewhere else, I did my best to search first.

 

Sorry if its been answered but if we have a locker is it still the same oil? same synthetic? thanks.

great write up

 

Thanks Chris.

 

Thanks Chris, I will take a look!

 

OK two things.

First I changed my rear diff fluid with Royal Purple and wow did it make a difference. The old oil was disgusting, and I have no idea when the previous owner last changed it. Also, by changing that and the transfer case fluid, I no longer have a loud chatter when I go into reverse in 4WD. The first time I used 4WD and went in reverse it scared the crap out of me, but now that I changed the oil it's gone. Which leads me to my question.

I took a picture of what I think was the front diff drain, but I still have no idea which is the fill port. I apologize for asking again, but I'm seriously lost, and still very much in the learning process when it comes to vehicle maintenance. Thanks for the help.

And btw, whoever posted the picture of the pump that fits in a gallon jug, that was way easier than trying to pour in the fluid from the bottle!

 

I'm pretty sure that's the fill plug. The drain plug should be lower.

 

Since we can use 75W90 for just about everything I looked around for a good price.
Mobil 1
Synthetic
Gear Oil LS
75W-90 / 12
Quart Case $99.30 Subtotal: $99.30 Shipping: $15.67 Tax: $0.00 total $114.97 That's $9.58 per qt. That's the best I found. Here is link http://avlube.com/mob1syngearo.html if interested. OP says we need 6qts so I'm good for my 30k now and my 60k later.

 

Just got Delv. good service. 2 days UPS and the driver walked it up the hill. Been snowing all day and supposed to continue til Sat.

 

Guys, I thought I read on this forum(not sure which thread) that the LSD require non-synthetic or you are asking for trouble. It appears to be a common theme that synthetics are "too slippery" to adhere to the lsd plates and causes severe grinding and damage. I am going with non-synth in mine to be safe and thats what the factory has in, so. Just my 2 cents to investigate before using synth in Diff.

 

correct, the LSD needs dino gear lube and the LSD additive (atleast 4oz of it).

someone posted in here that Royal Purple synthetic worked without chattering in their LSD, but I personally would not be so brave as to try it.

you know the results you are going to get from dino 75-90 or 80-90 in the LSD..."its better to be safe than sorry".

 

I finally found the front diff fill port...it was half way up the front side of the diff, and I had to take the panel below it off to make it accessible. After that I just hooked up the pump from the gallon jug and pumped it full of RP.

For those who said they weren't sure if RP was good for the LSD, I'm not sure why, because it already has LSD additive in it. If I'm mistaken, please correct me, I'm still definitely a newb to all this stuff. I've had RP in the rear diff and transfer case for a week, and have not heard anything. In fact, the grinding that I sometimes had when I went into reverse went away after changing my fluids. If I have any problems, or hear any grinding noises, I'll be sure to post about them.