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

I just changed the rear diff fluid at 45k miles. It is dark and smelly. I used Mobil 1 75W90 LS because I couldn't find Mobil 1 non-LS fluid.

However I found a piece of thin metal strip coiled up like a spring that was stuck on the magnet. Should I be concerned?

 

So I have a 2012 sr5 dclb 4x4. I thought the truck had a auto lsd? Is that correct?

I am about to change the diff oil..Thanks

 

It should have an auto LSD Yes, But, the Auto LSD is merely the brakes being manipulated to simulate and LSD, so use standard gear oil without friction modifier.

 

So I just read through the manual. It states to only change the diff oils/tf case if you tow. I read for every interval up to 120k. Not for any specific mileage. I have 60k and was going to change all three but I don't tow. It suggests changing every 15k if you tow.

I realize everyone will say just change them but why doesn't toyota have a specific mileage under normal operating conditions?

 

Thanks!

 

I found the same thing on mine as well. My front diff was really dark and my rear was nice and clear.

 

Did mine tonight for the first time in 9 years. I know it should have been done loooooong ago. Things went well except for the fill plug. I could not get it off with my ratchet. So I hooked up the impact and it spun right off. Good to go for another few years. I also changed the plugs, cleaned the MAF, and cleaned the throttle body. Thanks for the write up!

 

So all the oils at the auto shop said ls. Is it okay to put this in the front diff and trans case?

 

I am going to be doing mine on my 2011 TRD off road prerunner. Should I be concerned about not being able to get the drain / fill plug off ?

 

Breaker bar and you should be fine. Fill plug first!!!!

 

So. Confused.

2013 TRD Off-Road. Is Mobil1

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

75w-90 LS ok to use? or do I need a non-LS oil?

 

morning bump.

 

Read post #1 on this thread.

 

The LS only means that its 'compatible' for Limited slip (mechanical) differentials.

You don't have a mechanical limited slip diff.

LS or non-LS - it doesn't matter. Mobile 1 doesn't have friction modifier in it at all.

 

Thanks for the reply, Janster! So, if I understand you correctly, Mobil1

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

75W-90 will be acceptable to use in my differentials?

 

Thanks. I was confusing the LS on Mobil1's bottle with the additive. I guess that means it is compatible with the additive, not that it has it premixed.

 

I couldn't read all the pages but most of the ones I read implied that you need to change it at 15k regardless. The only difference is adding additive or not (except second gen doesn't need it, period)

But from reading the Maint Guide for second Gen:

15k: Inspect front differential oil (4WD) and rear differential oil
15k with towing: Replace front differential oil (4WD) and rear differential oil

30K: Replace rear differential oil (Prerunner and 4WD vehicles with optional limited slip differential only)
30K with towing: Replace front differential oil (4WD), Replace rear differential oil, and Replace transfer case oil (4WD)

The 15k service seems to suggest change the diff oil only with towing and doesn't say LSD equipped or not. But 30K service says to change only if LSD equipped, and with towing, also change front and transfer case for 4WD.

This is confusing....

Also, in case the LSD sticker fell off, is there a way to tell which trim for sure comes with LSD or it's a completely separate option? Mine is Prerunner TRD Sport and was planning doing the 30k service without changing the rear diff oil until I read this thread.

Thx

 

So LSD is part of the Prerunner TRD Sport trim? The wording in the guide sounds like only Prerunners and 4WDs that come with LSD option need to replace the oil.

Thx