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

"Pre-runner 2wd" indicates you have only one (rear) differential and no transfer case.

According to pg 471 of the Owner's Manual, you rear diff requires 3.12qts of 75W-85 GL-5 or equivalent gear oil. (75W-90 GL-5 is an acceptable substitute.)

 

I looked through this like 3 times and even had my nephew try his luck... I'm blind as a freaking bat.

Thank you for your help, saved me a good $50 on buying too much gear lube.

 

i tried it but it chatters, so i went to convetional gear oil

 

Anyone use antiseize on the plug threads when you put it back together? It seems like it'd help for breaking loose next time, but I know my Subaru had an aluminum differential and antiseize made matters significantly worse.

Edit: I had only gotten through page 37 when I asked. I see page 38 a couple of people raise the question, and it was suggested that this would change the torque values for tightening the plug, and may or may not be helpful.

 

Nope never used it. New washer and torque appropriately

 

Has anyone gone off the ECGS recommendation and used Lucas 85W-140 instead of the gear oil 75w-90 that Toyota recommends?

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/ft-2536-ecgs-gear-oil-recommendation.html

 

Should I be doing this until it overflows? I added three full courts and it never overfilled. Should I add more? I also added 4 oz of additive. It's a 06 TRD sport

 

Not sure how much the 06 holds but I just changed my front and rear differential fluids in my 17 and added both until they overflowed. I didn't have to used any additive on mine and I used 5 quarts total. I believe the OR and Sport use different levels based on locking and non locking differentials. You can find the required fluid amount in the manual based on model.

 

I ran to AutoZone and grabbed another quart. About 10 seconds and it overflowed. Perfect

 

Awesome

 

so i just order some AMSOIL severe gear 70w-90, truck is 2006 double cab long bed pre-runner, 2wd, rear axle have the LSD oil sticker, but do i need the additive? my first change was years ago with Lucas 70w-90 gear oil and a tube of that additive.

 

I’m pretty sure you will need the LSD additive if you have that sticker on your rear end.

 

I take it we just assume success if all 4 quarts go in and no overflow?

Oh, hmm, OP has 3 quarts listed but I'm 3rd gen OR, now I need to figure out if I overfilled (but nothing overflowing so seems unlikely)

 

For a 2015 OR, couple questions for the community:

-so the LSD additive is not required?

-are folks having success with 75w90 synthetic?

-clarification from the original instructions...when oil begins to run out, one replaces the fill plug because the oil needs time to settle into the axles and then requires top off afterwards?

Thanks — hoping to do tranny pan pull and clean, multiple DAFs, and new fluid on both diffs, transfer case, and engine oil all in one day. So...important I know what the heck I’m doing in advance...

 

Finally got to the rear diff and found this on my magnet:

 

Good thing the magnet was holding it… Looks like a washer?

 

Freshened up the rear diff. Last night.

Took about a half an hour ......

Put some new Toyota crush washers in......part number




$9 Toyota Oil Drain Plug Crushable Steel Gaskets Set of 10 OEM 12157-10010
12157-10010. This number is for first and second GENS both drain and fill plugs....3rd gen probably the same. The same part number is also used on the front differential fill plug. Torque for both plugs in the rear is 36 foot lbs.

Only a tiny little bit of metallic dust on the magnet which was a good sign.

I learned how to do all the gearboxes in this thread… It’s a good one…
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-diff-and-transfer-case-oil-change-howto.147631/

 

It has a cupped shape to it and is irregular...def not a washer. Shorn off of something...cause for concern perhaps

 

So without reading all 136 pages of this thread, what's the verdict on replacing the washers? 2018 TRD OR, first time changing the front and rear diff at about 30k. If it is recommended, can I just go to the dealer to pick them up or is Amazon the better price?

 

Why are you changing your diff fluid at 30k?