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

Ok so since I’m past due now would be the time, thank you

 

Hey I think I goofed and put aluminum washers on the rear diff instead of the grooved steel ones. What’s the consensus? Do I need to drain and change or monitor until next change?

 

Not sure but I'd definitely monitor of course. I bought a full set for my fluid changes soon and was thinking about myself doing the same thing. If it were me I'd check on leakage daily. I'm guessing it was the drain plug? I'd be more worried about the drain than fill

 

Yea, I think I put wrong washer on both. I’m going to monitor it and change it this week just for piece of mind. Total newb mistake

 

How did it end up? Did it start leaking or seeping?

 

I didn’t notice any seeping or leaking. Pulled the fill plug and it did look a little low but that could’ve been bc I was checking it in the driveway instead of the garage. I was able to park it until yesterday. Drained it, changed the washers and just put the fluid back in since it was only a couple days old. All good so far Thanks for askin

 

Truck is approaching 40k and had done an entire suspension swap + ECGS bushing for needle bearing replacement.

Since the cv was out, changed both front and rear diff fluid. Front took about 1.6 quart which was expected. However, on the rear, I got 5 quarts in there?? What thee eff happened? Am I fuggen loosing it or is that entirely possible??

Edit: 3rd gen automatic trd-off road 4x4

 

A second thought about it, I did have the truck up on jack stands at the time, but if anything it was lifted in the front, making the rear sit lower. I’m a little baffled.

Maybe my math is off. 1 gallon + 1 quart purchased. When that ran out, went and got 2 more quarts. When the first one was out I started looking around like I was pumping into a black hole. Ended up using 2/3 of the last quart. As mentioned in previous post, front took about 1.6 quart from that total give or take oily measurements.

 

FYI, just for future reference, a copper crush washer will work just fine. I use copper crush washers on all my vehicles and change them with every fluid change.

I've also used them successfully on a range of applications with various fluids and pressures. For a viscous, low pressure, stable fluid like engine or gear oil, it's a no-brainer.

The galvanic properties of the interface is something to consider, but given the application TBH it's a non-issue.

They work well and are very inexpensive.

 

Yea it was more of an oh shit moment really, and I don’t know these things. I had the aluminum washers instead of the steel crush. Appreciate any experience I can get. Thanks dude

 

Got my fluid finallly! 3 quarts is enough right?
i read somewheres someone said 3.12 or some crap but i’m not sure if that’s accurate as this how to says get 3 quarts.

 

Going to change my rear diff oil this week, am I reading right that if I use Royal Purple I'll need 3 qts, and I have a TRD off-road so no LSD additive is needed?

 

You can confirm by consulting the Owner's Manual............

Quantity and Lube type (with or w/o LSD)

 

i changed my diff fluid on Friday night. Buy 4 quarts. I needed about a little over 3.5.
no lsd additive needed only sports need those.

 

Thanks! 2011 speedway blue here too, I used to live in Sullivan county NY

 

Only sports '08 and earlier need the additive. Newer ones don't need it.

 

Did all three today on my 2012 dcsb 4x4. Pretty easy but I had to jack up the rear a bit to get 3.1 qt into the rear diff. Thought our driveway was pretty flat.

It started overflowing at about 2.7 so I put the plug in and did the front diff and transfer, thinking the oil just had to work its way into the rear. Went back to the rear and still overflowed at 2.7. Jacked it up and filled it. Got kind of messy, so hopefully I'm within 5-10% of 3.1qts...

 

I plan on changing both differentials, and transfer-case fluid, as well as swapping out a rear axle seal due to continuous grease/water mix buildup on a ABS sensor.

How many quarts of

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

75w-90 would I need altogether? I read here and there and the numbers that came up were either 4.5qts to 6qts.

 

Welcome to TW!

The answer to your question is difficult to say without specifics (e.g., MY, model, engine, transmission, etc) of your truck's configuration. The Owner's Manual is always a good place to start. They're available for download from https://www.toyota.com/owners/resources/warranty-owners-manuals.

 

Bah, long day, should've included all that.

2009 Toyota Tacoma Pre-runner 2wd, Automatic transmission, 4.0L V6 1GR-FE engine