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

How do you know when to stop after waiting for it to run down the axle sides? Just fill till it pours out?

 

When I did mine I took a 1 beer break and then filled again until it spilled out. Then checked it two days later after just normal to and from work (I am 5 miles round trip) and the fluid was right there about to spill out so I was good.

 

Thanks for the write up.

 

Appreciate the writeup. Simple enough. The oil + additive shouldn't be too expensive. Gonna give it a try.

 

I had this done at the selling dealer(while under warrantee), then as at an independent shop. There doesn't appear to be a sticker(LS) on the rear axle. On my dealer invoices(had it performed twice) there is NOTHING indicating my Tacoma has a limited slip rear axle. However, when I had this service performed at the independent shop the oil used was BG synthetic oil along with a LS additive. So, it looks like the LS additive was not needed. I assume that those stickers would not come off easily.

My Tacoma is an '08 Pre-Runner 4.0 L 2wd. With synthetic BG oil already in the axle, I am going buy a 80-90 gear oil, probably Mobil 1 synthetic. I even looked at my original window sticker and nothing indicating a limited slip axle. So, I don't think my '08 requires the LS additive.

 

I’m sorry guys but I’m sooo confused. I have a 2010 sport but I never had the LSD sticker. Do I need the additive ? And what happens if you add additive to a Truck that doesn’t need it,

 

No

Not much

 

All 3 quarts in correct? And then do you need to drive it any differently directly after the change?

 

Fill until the oil starts seeping out. Either let it set for awhile or just drive 40’ per Brian and Chris. Then finish putting the remaining oil in.

 

Went to go do this today just for shits 'n giggles. I'm a little over 90k (bought the truck w/ 82k) and either the diff oil has never been changed or NH salt seized the bitch on pretty damn good. Doused the plugs w/ wd40 before work this morning and then a little more while setting up shit when I got home...plug would not budge and the socket definitely started to bite into the plug. Soaked it down again and the plan is to let it sit and spray it again before work tomorrow and go at it tomorrow afternoon. If the socket is already biting at the plug should I worry about stripping it completely and be ready for a new plug or should I just keep cranking til it breaks free... Posted a pic just to show the socket biting at a couple corners of the plug...drain plug doesn't look as bad

 

Update:

So pretty sure my issues were just a rookie mistake...Realized a 12-pt socket was a terrible idea (24mm is maybe the only socket I own that I didn't have a 6pt). Got a fresh 6pt socket and some liquid wrench today and the plugs broke free without much issue. Learned my lesson that WD40 is essentially water compared to LW...Everything was straight forward for a 2012...used about 3.5 qts of 75-90 M1, no additive needed because I actually read the post from the OP, put new washers on, torqued her up, let it sit while I cleaned up, drove a bit, sat, and was on my way. Hardest part of the whole thing was smoking my elbow off the ground when the fill plug broke free and then hand pumping that shyte in there.

One question I do have though, I'm posting a picture of a shaving that came off on the magnet, apart from the normal sludge that appears to come out on the magnet I'm wondering if I should be worried at all or if this is just commonplace for what appears to be the first maaaaaybe 2nd diff oil change on a 90k/6yo truck (truck was bought in 2017 with 82k on it)

side note...do dealers know what a torque wrench is? maybe this truly was the first time these plugs have been taken off but the first oil change I did after I bought that truck it took forever to break the pan plug...just did another change a week or so ago, baby came loose easy. Maybe because I actually torqued the plug when I put it back in? Maybe Im just that much stronger than I wise back in November...who the hell knows. Thanks ya'll!

 

Yes I just did this, too. Going to be a real pain in the ass.

 

I have a pretty nasty scar right below my elbow from a few months ago, when I went to torque my lug nuts down with my lug wrench and the damn thing slipped off the lug right when I went to put my strength/weight down on it; I basically flung myself right into the broken concrete driveway, right on the lip of it where it met the grass. Hurt like a mother#$!@r. My neighbor saw me do it from across the street and said it looked like I had lost my mind and just threw myself at the ground as hard as I could, haha.

 

Yeah luckily I was alone when it happened...cuss like a sailor anyway but it was basically swear word-vomit at that point but apparently it helped.

 

I think researchers have scientifically proven that swearing helps in situations such as these

 

I think the plug was just mad that I called it a little bitch yesterday for not coming loose...but like I said I tried using water aka WD40 to get through the rust...I think I heard the diff openly laugh at that point. I'll keep you guys posted if I f'd up and blow up and piss fresh diff lube everywhere in the mountains this weekend

 

After a few not-so-evenly drilled mounting holes on my roof rack, I've learned that there's an ABV% limit to the beer I can drink when working on my truck.

 

I'll have to get some of that liquid wrench stuff myself, I use WD40 too and it has helped but not all the time.

 

I work at a university so doing this in the parking garage at work UPD probably thought I was dead under there. Got to chat a bit while things drained, they basically all drive 3rd gens or explorers around campus catching drunk college kids. Satisfaction guarenteed

 

Yeah need to be careful when I put my bed stiffeners in

LW gives a guarantee that it will break through any rusted bolt or something like that