Diff fluid change

100% this ^

Other tips:
- The weekend prior to the change reach under and hit all the drain and fill bolts with a wire brush and some Kroil or similar and work it in with a old toothbrush
- Hit it again mid week, and and hour or two before the change
- Tighten just a hair with taps from a small hammer before loosening
- Tapping loose to "Break" it free is better than gorilla force
- might have to go back and forth loose/tight if there are more tough/rust spots
- Always an option to add a little heat via MAP torch or one of those little butane ones for electronic work

 

If you are still using the factory drain and fill plugs, use a scribe to remove all dirt and debris from the center. Use a QUALITY 10mm hex/allen socket or wrench to remove the plugs. A tap from a hammer helps to ensure the top is dully seated before attempting to loosen.

 

As a few have said, squeeze bags 100%!! Done it with a pump setup before too but the bags are so easy

 

May have to try this the next service.

 

Dealer quoted me $800 for F/R diff, transmission (MT), and transfer case. I laughed out loud and said "Uh, no. I'm not handy but these are stupid easy to work on - I'll just do it myself."

Spent less than half of $800 and even used the crazy priced Toyota TC fluid for $90/liter. Didn't even put it up on jack stands.

 

Are both plugs the same size?

 

The parts in the diff neither know nor care that the oil is synthetic or conventional. You do not have to run synthetic.

 

Amsoil or Valvoline

 

Certainly nothing wrong with Amsoil. There's also nothing making it worth the price.

But they have great marketing. Keeps them in business, just like K&N

 

Not sure I understand your question.

Lexus plug fits front diff, has a socket head on top instead of the factory 10mm hex. I don't think the Lexus plugs will fit the rear diff, but I've never tried if that's what you're asking.

 

I think he's asking if the front diff drain and fill are the same. Which would be a no, the lower plug is the one most replace from what I recall. There are options to replace both though.

 

wish i could get lucas 85-140 in a squeeze bag. I'm probably going to have to buy a cheap one dump it out and refill with the lucas.

 

No, fill and drain plugs are different size. See links above for part numbers and place to buy from. Free shipping. I ordered them yesterday. $18.67 for both plugs.

 

I’ve posted this a few times in the past but $25 bucks and 10 min of your time can make the process of filling diffs/trans with whatever flavor of kool aid much better. Weed sprayer, ball valve, and NPT hose nipple. Fill with kool aid, pump, and let it fill your diffs for you.

 

I saved that picture a while ago. I WILL be assembling one before my next service.

 

Then why would Toyota specifically call for GL-5 in the diff's then?
Back in the day, a Chevy Positraction or a Mopar Sure-grip diff sure knew the difference between GL-4 and GL-5...

 

Brand doesn't matter

 

GL5 is important. Conventional or synthetic is not. Both exist in GL5.

 

Try this the next time. I know everyone here seems to use oils weights that are 'close enough' but I like to stick to factory specs. And Toyota calls for a straight-weight 75W.... Not your average bear.
I used this stuff. Made in Germany.. (Good? Bad? IDK....)
Bottles are weird on them though. Not a screw cap on top.... Although it looks like it. But once you figure out how to get the blue cap off the top you'll be pleasantly surprised to find it has a pull out spout that's more than long enough to poke in the fill hole and get it filled up in a couple minutes.
AND.... $20.00 a quart!
I don't think Amazon carries this, so I just ordered straight from whatever distribution center it comes from. (Wanna say Minnesota? Don't remember now.) But it was in my hands 5 days later Fed Ex. Quicker than Amazon.. LOL.

https://www.ravenolamerica.com/passenger-car-products/75w-gear-oil-ravenol-mtf-3/