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

No additive needed as 09 and up are not mechanical LSD's. Mobil 1 75-90LS FTW!

 

So Walmart should have that right lol? Thx man..

 

One of these found on the boating isle there is highly recommended also.

$8 Lubrimatic 55-001 4CC Fluid Pump for Quart Size Bottles

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000BQW5LK/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

 

So mobil1 should be good for 14' 4.0 Trd sport? I don't see any sticker on my diff. So no additive for me?

 

Great write up guys! I changed both diffs and transfer case today. Used Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 75w/90 LS. Truck is a 2010 4WD non TRD. Thanks for all the great information!

 

Just finished doing the rear differential and there was no overflow from the fill plug after I put in 3 quarts. Should I be worried and is there any good way to check the level?

 

Thanks for the info, gents.......changed my rear diff (no sticker) this morning for the first time at 17,436mi. using Royal Purple

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

75W-90. Old fluid appeared honey-colored, however, there was a goodly amount of sludge on the magnet. My drain and fill plugs were tight, but I didn't have nearly as much trouble as some have reported in getting them loose. Got 3 quarts in without any overflow, so opened another bottle and put in what I thought was about the missing .12 qts......felt inside with my pinky and found the level to be just below the fill opening - perfect. I didn't change the crush washers this time, will make sure to do it next change. Got enough gear oil to do the front diff and xfer case in the next weekend or two and will make sure to change the crush washers on those.

Although it's a simple drain and fill procedure I've done before on many other vehicles, some of the tips like loosen the fill plug first, what size socket to use, and no mechanical LS diff after '09 came in right handy. Thanks again!

 

ok, what type/ brand should i use. have a 110000, and it never has been done.

 

I have added 2.5qts and it's already pouring outside the rear differential,, what could be happening.. Manual says 3.5qts and I only have gotten 2.5 inside the differential..

 

May have air in it, lift the rear and spin the wheels. Make sure it warm before draing also.

Most use Mobil 1 75-90.

 

Yes, I did that, lifted the rear and spin the wheels and nothing , I did drain the differential when it was cold :/.. Could that be why it was pouring out at about 2.5qts in of new gear oil?
, I am using the tacoma right now, hope nothing happens

 

I did notice, when I first remove the fill cap, oil starting coming out, maybe because of the angle of my truck or I don't know,,, I did the job inside the garage so it was a flat surface

 

I would just park it when your done driving it and check it again to make sure its full. If it was cold when you drained it that probably had something to do with it.

 

Just filled mine up with 3 quarts (cold) and it wasn't quite up to the fill plug. Should I top it off a little more?

 

Fill till it spills, loosely tighten fill plug go for a spin around the block and fill again, done....

 

Hi, I have a 2013 prerunner. Its the 4.0 V6. I have 20k miles and I am getting ready to do the rear diff fluid change, but I have a couple of questions.

The window sticker that came with the truck says it has "automatic LSD" but I don't have the LSD sticker on the differential, so does this mean I DO NOT need any LSD additive?

Also, the service manual calls for 75w-85 GL-5 fluid, and manual says 4.0 models are non-synthetic but when I call dealer they say it requires synthetic. service guy says the gl-5 rating indicates it's synthetic but online I see conventional oil with same gl-5 rating . So who is right dealer or manual?

Also please dont't bash me for owning a prerunner

 

The Auto LSD is not the same as a mechanical LSD. You will be fine running

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

75w-90 with or without LS friction modifiers already in it. You do not need to get a separate tube of the friction modifier fluid.

 

Anyone running Royal Purple

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

75W-90 GL5?

 

Need to do this soon.

Sub'd

 

Hey guys, I have a 2008 4Runner SR5 4.0 V6 4x4. I swapped both my cv axles last week, planned to drain and fill my diff with Mobil-1 75w90 but i couldnt get my drain plug out and managed to strip it. So I topped it off with some 80w90 GL5 i had available. Will this do any damage while i figure out how to get my drain plug off? Also if anyone has part #s for diff drain plug and gasket and fill plug and gasket id appreciate it. Thanks in advance.