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

Ok, so admittedly, I stopped reading on page 10. I'm going to continue reading this thread, so forgive me if these have already been answered but I wanted to go ahead and ask.

Is there any reason other than the "chatter" that was mentioned in the first few pages?

I was at Toyota today. They told me to go to O'Reillys for the oil and additive. They also told me I needed to additive on a 2011. Is there any harm in adding the additive on an '09+?

That's what she said

 

So open diff = only one tire grabbing at any given time? Tire with least resistance?

 

Thanks again Chris. I've been reading various threads and think I know the size of my drain plug (24mm?). Can you confirm? And would fill plug be the same size?

Sorry if I'm asking really basic questions. Getting info from my Toyota dealership is like pulling teeth. I was told the other day that you can't even but the FSM anymore, that you have to subscribe to a web service. Based on your response I'm about to go buy a big socket since I have no large metric sockets.

I have a Haynes repair manual for my 04 PreRunner but it's really almost useless. Gives fairly vague descriptions of things but doesn't give specifics like my drain plug size for example.

Thanks again.

 

Get similar advice from someone else with better spelling

 

But, if it weren't for you we wouldn't have the hilarious drunken post threads, the mocking spider threads, the oven/wood kiln experiment threads and the video collection of everything you've blown up or destroyed either voluntarily or ancillary

 

Hey, you're doing better than I am! I don't even have that much going for me...

 

Ok, I meant on TW

 

No problem, I just bought a set of 1/2 dr 6 pt metric sockets at Lowes. I should have it covered. I'll let you know.

 

Thank you, sir! It's a mall-crawl/light trail/work truck work in progress (and will remain a work in progress so long as I keep reading on TW. Damn people keep giving me more and more creative ways to spend my money on my truck!) And fortunately guys like yourself show us how to make it all work properly and keep it maintained so it lasts a long time

 

It's either 19mm or 24mm though I'm leaning more to 24mm.

 

Changed it today, 24mm, both drain and filler.

 

24mm drain plugs. Same as my '85 yota

 

Just did my LSD oil change today. Thanks for the great write-up.
Here's some things I learned from this for next time:

I can't afford OE oil ($60 each qt, $180 total)

Anyone got the torque values for these plugs???

Get two new crush washers from the dealer, they threw one in free for me, I was so in shock about the price of their oil I forgot to ask for another washer.

Call Autozone/Pepboys ahead of time (they got that RP stuff), these auto stores all carry different brands than the other and usually only stock 4 each, so there's usually only 2 on the shelf...

I used Royal Purple ($20 ea) with Equa torque LSD additive

I drove 50yrds forward and reverse twice after filling only 2.85 qts to let everything settle and it still only took another .05 of that last bottle leaving me with extra. No way there was room for 3qts + 4oz of additive on this truck. But, after driving around for a while I added the rest of it + the additive no problem.

May be easier to just drop the spare tire next time...nnaaahhhh!

Cheers!