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

Generally differential fluid changes are recommended every 30-60k. For some vehicle usages and conditions the recommended service interval is as frequent as every 15k.

 

I recommend replacing all the washers. Between the front/rear diff and transfer case all but one are soft crush washers, I would consider them one time use. One of them, can’t remember which, is a flat hard copper washer, and if I had to pick one not to replace it’d be that one. But they’re cheap, why not replace them all. Bought mine from the local dealer, all in stock.

 

Huh. Every vehicle I've ever owned I try to do it once before it rolls over 100k miles. Never had an issue.

 

that’s sort of like saying, I do my engine oil changes every 20k, never had an issue. There’s some engineering analysis behind maintenance intervals, doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily have a failure if you don’t abide.

 

Thanks for the confirmation!

 

Good advice! Here's a summary of required crush washers...

 

Ah yes front diff drain plug is the big copper one.

 

For anyone looking for the parts, it looks like they have a complete set here which I just ordered:

$7 Rexka 12pcs Transfer & Differential Service Gasket Kit Compatible with Toyota Lexus 4Runner Land Cruiser Tundra Tacoma FJ Cruiser Highlander RAV4 Sequoia Sienna 1215710010 9043024003 90430A0003

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CJHTDVV?smid=A3T7YNU723BG3V

The numbers match what is listed in the post.

 

Bought some Mobile 1

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

75W-90 which has the LSD additive for my front and rear diff ... am I ok using this in my 2018 OR 4x4 with rear locker?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rear-differential-fluid.639390/

 

Thanks mate!

 

Hey everyone, has anyone used Valvoline 75-w90 full synthetic for the f/r diff or transfer case? It says it has 4oz of LSD fluid already mixed in. Mine is a 2011 TRD sport 4x4 w/ just over 100k. Don’t think it’s ever been changed, but the truck hasn’t been used heavily.

 

That’s exactly what I used. No issues.

 

Thanks for the speedy reply! Good to know

 

chk Red Line out

they have a wider selection of differential fluids than anyone

few negatives for any Synth can be said changed regularly no issues

im hi speed hi mileage so i use a different protocol

 

most rear ends run middle /low hundred degrees temp

sure some might run hotter ..............maybe low on fluid

across death valley 100mph +

essentially not hot enuf to burn off moisture ( h2o )............... in turn

fauna grows in the oil causes the putrid smell

acids are mostly water based

long term might affect the clutch pak type o diffs

more than the gear type diffs

 

My pre-runner 2012 2wd has the electronic braking for slip control.

Regular 75w90 gear oil should be fine right?

I can’t imagine it has a requirement for LSD additive…

 

75w90 will work fine. You don’t need additive.

 

That's allot of pages about diff oil... I've dumped in just about any gear oil with all 3 Toyotas I've owned, 1988, 1994, 2003. I believe those were all limited slip aside from the 03 also having an electric/mechanical locker. Temperature in my area ranges from 0 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The only time I've had an issue was when I beat the ever living snot out of the trucks back when we had some land to do so. In my experience the biggest issue with a rear diff was always the breather getting clogged up and it tends to blow the pinion seal rather than the axle seals. I now drill them out larger and run a hose up high under the bed. Once it starts to lose fluid, the minute you hear the noise on the highway you know that rear end won't last much longer unless you tear into it and change bearings. They're gears, there aren't 5 clutch packs, solenoids, pumps, springs/balls etc in there like an automatic trans where I would make absolute sure I used the correct oil Toyota recommended. I always like to do things right but I've never seen any performance or weakness when using just about any gear oil I could grab. Everyone also says to never run any hydraulic oils other than John Deere OEM in their equipment, and I've run Walmart HYD + transmission fluid in my JD 500C BHL for >15 years without a single issue, I am not easy on the machine either...

 

Looking to do rear diff, front diff and trans case fluid change on my 2011 V6 4 X 4 SR5 double cab long bed. Read a good bit of this thread and another thread on front diff and trans case.

Few questions,

1. Do I have the LSD on the SR5 model and if so do I need to use the LS additive if I go conventional oil on the rear diff?


2. I was thinking of going conventional oil for all 3 cases since I read some possible issues using synthetic in the rear diff. I can use the same

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

75W 90 conventional in front diff, rear diff and trans case correct?

3. Was leaning towards mobile 1 75W 90 conventional, but was wondering if anyone had better results with any other brand oil? It is my understanding Toyota doesn’t sell gear oils or I probably would have just grabbed that if price wasn’t stupid.

4. What are you guys finding to be a good and economical pump for the transfer case and front diff that doesn’t take forever to fill the cases?

Thanks for any tips!
Andy