How often do you change the differential fluid?

I'm a bit confused. All this talk about 'changing the differential fluid', but no one has explained just what you're supposed to change it INTO. Wine? Olive oil? Cheez Whiz?

;-) ;-) ;-)

 

Because changing oil and spark plugs is a conspiracy!! lol

 

30K on the rear. I checked my front when I did the rear recently and it still was clean and clear. I left it and will check it again next year. On the rear, it's easy and cheap. I'll probably do mine yearly.

 

Beer please!

 

I want it changed into liquid gold

 

Did a diff service today at 97K. Here is the drain plug after and before. I also took pictures of the old crush washer compared to the new. I'll post those later cause I'm on my phone and uploading media on here is slow.

 

even synthetic gear oil is cheaper than gears....

changed my 14 w/70K miles when I bought it.....

will change tranny & rear diff again at 130K

 

Sometimes the harm in waiting isn’t so much wear and tear on the gears as much as it is letting so much time go by the bolts end up corroded on.
Thats the main reason I keep mine changed at 30k. Synthetic oils last a long time and you can buy high quality gear oils that last 100k miles.
Synthetic lasts 60-90k. Its just for most people that means about 5-8 years between changes.
And if you live in a salt state...

I like those bolts to come out every 18 months and thats around 30k for me.

I think your gears are likely just fine.

 

I keep my truck very clean. I took off the fill plugs to check the oil and they came out with no issue. Nothing is corroded

 

Question, do I really need to buy 4 quarts to change out my rear diff oil? It calls for 3.12 quarts, but I am sure that there will be some left over after it drains.

 

You can always save it for top offs or the next fill. .12 qts is less than 1/4 cup, so it maybe changes the level 1/8"? Not enough to worry about. Mine takes just about exactly 3 quarts, but I have a ARB locker, and different gears.

 

It costs $12.00 a qt.
Just buy an extra one in case you need it take it back if you don’t.

 

not to beat a dead horse but... any pref of synthetic vs standard

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

75W-90 gear oil for this?

 

Well, got her done. 2.5 quarts came out, put 3 in. Must have been a little low. Filled it with Mobil 1 synthetic.

 

Wow mine has 292k miles and havent done the diff oil change once. I think thats where the prrr its coming from now. Lol.

 

Every 30K miles, just like Toyota recommends...lol I have a clutch type LSD, so you need to change that every 30K.

If you have an open diff (or "electronic LSD"), you don't need to change the oil on that interval.

 

I changed the diffs and transmission gear lub in my 02 at about 440K, still look like new oil.

 

OOF, yeah those pinion bearings and ring and pinion are likely donezo. Id be surprised if there was anywhere close to 3 quarts in there at this point.

LOL doubtful.

 

Lol