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

You are correct.

 

According to the Amsoil lube guide, if you have the rear locker, you need 8-8.5 pints (4-4.25 quarts). The front is correct. I would double check these numbers, but the lube guide is usually accurate.

 

Yeah I looked at the Spec guide in my book, my G number on inside of drivers side door isn't even in there. Im confused.... May just get two pans and put in as much as comes out??? I have the 4x4 diff locker button on the roof

 

Just make sure you have enough gear oil to do the maximum quantity required and if you don't use it all, just save it for next time.

 

Why wouldn't you just fill until it's full and starts to drip out of the fill hole like you're supposed to?

 

Well thats what I did on my F-150. Are Taco's the same? I figured I would use the amount specified??

 

Great write-up! I just did this last night at 30k miles on my 2015 Sport 4X4. He's my experience. I would classify my driving habits as normal 90% of the time with the occasional light duty trailer haul. I read that some people had major issues removing the drain and fill plugs (even on newer trucks at 30k) so I was prepared with my brand new 6 point, 24mm impact socket, old trusty 1/2 inch ratchet and a 18" breaker bar (random 1" square bar from the shed). After driving my truck a couple miles to heat the oil....I crawled under (no jack) to begin. The drain plugs were a little snug but the breaker bar was probably overkill in my situation. As instructed, I removed the fill (top) plug first and then the drain plug. The magnetic drain plug was completely covered with the mushy metal residue and I noticed 2-3 slithers of metal. I cleaned both plugs back to like new condition. The old oil came out pretty milky looking (cloudy yellowish-brown). I let the oil drain while I did few things around the house. After about an hour to an hour & 15 minutes it was a very slow drip. I then wiped the housing off really well, while also trying to get anything remaining inside the drain hole. I then put the drain plug back in with a new crush gasket (Amazon 6 piece kit) and torqued it at 36 lb-ft.. Filling the new fluid was much easier than I thought. I used 1 quart bottles of Mobil 1 75/90 synthetic with LS. I know I don't need the additive but every differential oil in Autozone had the additive except the really cheap stuff. Some say that dropping the spare makes the fill easier but I didn't need to nor did I use a pump. I got 3 bottles in without issue and in-between each bottle, I would transfer the remaining in the bottom of the bottle....to the next bottle. (as not to waste a drop). Then with the 4th bottle I just put in about 1/3 of the bottle. It calls for 3.12 quarts but a tiny bit extra won't hurt. Some do 3.5. Finally I installed the fill plug with a new crush gasket and torqued it at 36 lb-ft.. as well. From start to finish I'd estimate this took me just under 2 hours but that includes a very long draining process. Hope this helps someone in some way. Next I will be doing the front although I have only used 4wd less than 1000 miles in the past 2 year. I guess it can't hurt.

 

Finally got around to changing rear diff. I put in 4.2qts of Amsoil severe duty

$29 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90 and called it a day! Never did figure out the correct amount it called for??? It didn't run out or over flow either. Drives fine so far....
: )

 

fill it up till it starts weeping out of fill hole

 

Another diff service here. 30k on a '15 Sport. No issues. Old fluid looked good with no floaters. Magnet had a small amount of metallic sludge on it.

2 new crush washers from the dealer... $2 for both.

About 3.25 quarts of M1

$29 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90.

 

I have developed a howl in the rear diff at higher speeds and especially when I slow down. Do y'all think a diff fluid change can fix that? To my knowledge the fluid has never been changed and I'm at 100k. (I know i screwed up, my mom had all the work done at the dealership till about 50k miles then she gave it to me, so I think the fluid has at least 70k)
Truck is a 2010 TRD off-road pre runner
Thanks TW

 

First step swap the fluid and post pics of it

 

only one way to find out.... for you not changing it in the last 50k Supposed to be changed every 30k

 

Will do. I haven't driven the truck since I started hearing it. Hopefully get it done tomorrow

 

Just changed out my fluids for the first time (13,000kms). Anyone ever notice big strips of metal come out?

 

Tiny bits and shavings are normal, the drain plug usually has a magnet connected to it that catches them. But those are bigger metal shavings than I've ever seen......don't want to say that's bad but that might be bad lol. Someone with more experience than me will have to chime in, I've done mine a few times now on my 04 and all I ever get are little tiny pieces that you can hardly detect.

 

They're drill shavings... as long as they were on the magnet, I wouldn't worry about them

 

The magnets has a thick layer of fine metal sludge on em. 13,000km doesn't seem like much but it's been in the mountains since day 1.

 

I have a 2012 Tacoma TRD Sport 4.0L 4x4... is the additive needed?

 

No. 2005-2008 only.