Cost of front, rear differential and transfer case fluid change

Watch this 1 minute video on changing the rear differential fluid. If you feel comfortable doing it yourself, there are other videos on doing the front differential and transfer case.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rpX11GK0_k

 

Per Alldata for labor times;

front and rear diff- .5hrs each.
Transfer case- .6hrs

so no more than 1.6hrs of labor plus whatever they charge in fluid prices.
T-case holds 1.1qts
Front diff holds approx 1.6qts
Rear diff holds from 3.12 to 4.07qts
All labor and fluid capacities per Alldata.

 

Odd that the t-case is more than the diffs, it's probably easier than the front diff.

 

Yeah Alldata is weird sometimes. I did an oil change at work on a bi-turbo AMG GTS with a dry sump and it was like .4, but a Nissan Sentra is .5.

 

Yeah, that's nuts. I think I paid $300 and had it done at 30K because I was too lazy to do it myself.

 

$700 for strictly those 3 services only?
I'd tell the service writer to "DUCK!" and wind up a fist.

 

Your rear diff is going to be extremely easy. If you use the gear oil that comes in the bags (Valvoline) you don't need to lower the spare tire or anything, just simply drain and fill. I can't attest to the level of difficulty on the transfer case or front diff as I don't have a 4x4 truck lol. But I don't think they're super difficult either.

 

I paid around 300 bucks for all three front rear differential and transfer case .

 

I was quoted this by a dealer in Maine on December 29th.

• Front and rear differential service cost $329.95
• Transfer case cost $199.95
• Transmission service if it's a standard it would be $229.95 if it an automatic it would be $299.95
• Spark plug service if it's a 6 cylinder would be $635.00

I had the dealer do the automatic transmission fluid because I had the torque converter shudder at 112K miles with never having the fluid changed. Fixed the issue.
Did the plugs myself.
Have yet to do the diffs and transfer case. I'm hoping it's goes as easy as YouTube and this forum says it is.

Sounds like Mallcrawler20 got a heck of a deal. I'd consider paying that for the three services. Mostly because I don't have an easy way to dispose of anything that's not oil or antifreeze. I've had a used gallon of power steering fluid and pint of brake fluid sitting in my garage for about a year now.

 

Be sure to be sure the fill plug is found and open. BEFORE draining

 

https://earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-automotive-fluids/

 

We just did my rear diff w my oil change tonight,,, took all of 8 or 9 minutes while chit chattin’, but that’s with a lift, but still. It was clean for 45k,,, but that’s the point right? Change it before its cooked and dirty.

We ran out of fluid, or we would’ve done the front.

 

find cost of bottles
multiply by number of bottles needed

Bam

 

Yes. As in robbery.

If you're asking about 30k being a good service interval, depends on how the truck is used and fluids being used.

It certainly won't hurt. But it also may not be needed.

 

I did mine myself after about 7 years (18k miles at the time).

Only the front diff was dirty.

Bought all oem Toyota fluids.
6qts for the front/rear diffs $30 ish each
2qts for transfercase $60 ish each
Lexus drain plug $20 ish
crush washers, ect $15 ish
fluid pump (free)

I think it was around $300.

There's cheaper fluids available that work just fine.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-diy-maintenance-quick-reference.406712/

 

Wow, $700 seems really expensive.
I'm getting a transmission flush this next week for $140 at the shop i always go to for my maintenance.

 

For all three? That's good.

I just did it myself. Messed around and went 36k without changing any of it. I spent 132 dollars on 7 quarts of the penzoil in the squeeze bag. It was 18/19 bucks a piece. Wow. I had about half a quart left over. I didn't replace any of the washers, so that would have been more expensive (I would have if I hadn't gotten into a slight panic about being behind so I just re-used the washers). I also already had a torque wrench and other required tools

Now maybe Stevenson uses conventional or something. But that's a fair price.

Incidentally, at 36k, the front diff and transfer drained like they were brand new...golden. I don't 4 wheel much, which explains the front diff...but the transfer case too? The rear diff was dark. It had a little bit of stuff on the drain plug, nothing large, mostly sludgy. The front diff drain plug had less on it.

Anyway, I did it all without a jack or jack stand. That front diff was a PITA to reach that way.

 

just did my diffs just 2 weeks ago cost me around 70 bucks for the lucas 85-140 and a six pack of good IPA beer

 

Not saying they didn’t put the correct fluid in but how do you know they did? I suspect there’d be at least one shop out there who would take the money and not honor the upgrade in oil. With vehicles, I’m afraid I trust very few. In real life, I trust almost everyone.