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

Great write up. Made for an easy change

 

did you feel any difference after changing it? my truck is about to hit 150k and im pretty sure i have the original oil in the rear.
i want to do this but im not sure if i should just leave it.

edit: looks like i wont be hearing from this person. 1 post since june

 

I would definitely change it if it's never been changed. As far as I know, it's only bad to flush the automatic transmission fluid if it's never been done before. Just to be safe, it might be good to get a higher quality gear oil (perhaps synthetic) that is meant for higher mileage components.

 

Gear oil breaks down over time and will start to lose its effectiveness quickly when it gets way past due for a change.

 

i want to do it, but im ascared
if i do it and something messes up ill get the big ol "told ya so" from my brother

 

I'd let others chime in but if it were me I'd do it asap, the oil that's in there is likely broken down and it'll shorten the lifespan of your gears. 150k is a lot but I've heard of others that have pushed it longer. Not a good idea but it is what it is. There are some good additives out there you can buy that are meant for higher mileage diffs.

 

Did that gasket kit come with all the gaskets needed to perform the oil changes on the front and rear differentials and transfer case? Any issues with "chatter" noise?

I have a 2014 DC TRD Sport 4x4. 52600 miles don't know if the diff/transfer oil was changed previously with scheduled maintenance by the dealer. I'm the only owner and bought it new in 2014.

Thank you so much for this write up.

 

Just go to dealer for gaskets. I got the front diff "drain plug" gasket the other day and was like a $1.50

 

+1...

 

Easy peasy. Take fill bolt out first, take drain bolt out, drain, put new washer on drain bolt, install, torque, fill with appropriate amount of fluid, install and torque fill bolt. Probably will need a breaker bar to break the bolts lose. Also use a 6 pt socket. Drop spare for more room, but not necessary.

 

Can I use 80/90 in front and transfer, or is it to thick?
@chris4x4

 

Thank you

 

I'm sure this was asked in one of the 120 pages but with the "fake" LSD on the 2013 would I need LSD additive?

 

Nope.

 

It's literally the first words of the first post
NOTE: 2009 and newer trucks do NOT need LS Diff addative, or TRD Off Road trucks with the factory locker.

 

I literally thank you for that.

 

10 minute job, thanks to the writeup. But at 45k miles the fluid wasn't bad at all. Little darker than honey and transparent. Gonna get a pump for the next change. Was a bit messy squeezing it in from the bottle.

 

If only fwy miles, shouldn't have been that bad