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

You're a life saver!

 

Just finished the rear diff, this stuff stinks! Like oil and BO, magnet had a bunch of sludge on it.

 

It will also take a couple days for the smell to get off of your hands too.

 

It's the high sulfur content. I think it smells similar to Barf

 

So I did my fluids last week and noticed a leak from the rear diff seal for the drive shaft. Truck is still new 13,000km and this was the first gear oil change I did. I'm not sure how I could have messed up. I used Mobil 75-90 as per what the dealer recommended... any thoughts?

 

I think it's coincidental. Looks like a warranty claim

 

Just got a call back from the dealer, they said they couldn't find any leak.
Even the shop foreman checked it he said.. wtf!

You can see the oil stain around that area it's not that hard to miss. They're checking it again...

 

Did you show them this picture?

 

He just called back and said "it's definitely leaking". Well duh!

 

Ordered the double-pack of cheap pumps from Amazon ... and found that the tube to draw from the bottle wasn't long enough. Ended up using some of the flexible tubing from the second pump to extend the draw tube to the bottom of the bottle, as below:

As delivered, the pump would only pull .75 qt from the bottle, leaving me to transfer the leftovers to another bottle.
Link:

$12 Lubrimatic, 4cc Fluid Quart Pump (set of 2)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LDMXNSO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
To note, the draw tube was not flexible as shown on the amazon photo.

 

Awesome post, thank you!

 

All Tacomas since 2009 have the same open differentials (with the Off Road having a locker).
The mechanical clutched limited slip was 2005-2008 Sport TRD only. Mobil 1 synthetic is rated for both limited slip and open differentials, even if you have an '05-'08 Sport.

 

All Tacomas since 2009 have the same open differentials (with the Off Road having a locker).
The mechanical clutched limited slip was 2005-2008 Sport TRD only. Mobil 1 synthetic is rated for both limited slip and open differentials, even if you have an '05-'08 Sport.

 

OK, I will stop now. LOL

 

Thanks brian! Did it for the first time in 145k . There were a couple shavings but hey, it was 145k. There was the muck like others that had posted pics of the magnet but the pic I provided was showing just the metal.

 

Bump.

 

Thank you to the OP for this post...saved me good moolah today.

I found it much easier to use an impact wrench with a light setting to break the bolts loose (Do NOT use one to close/tighten them!). I almost stripped the 24mm bolts trying to break them loose with a ratchet wrench.

 

Great write up! I used a synthetic made by Lucas Oil SAE

$30 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90 Gear Oil with Synthesized Additives. Claims it does not need the additive and is fine for limited slip differentials. My original oil made it 150K miles. Truck has 154K and I am just changing all the "hot" fluids" like transmission, rear differential, coolant and radiator. Amazing truck!

 

Did you do trans yet? If not check this out
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/

 

That's next on the list for me. Waiting for my parts to arrive from Amazon...