Change Your front Diff fluid!

Today I changed out my front diff fluid. Was expecting to see fairly clean fluid since I don't go wheeling very hard or very often. I do get into 4wd usually once a week tho.

After changing fluid.. I tried the 4WD-hi on the go... smooth as silk.. no bang and or even a click.. right into 4wd and same with dis-engage on the fly. Now I need some under armor down there. The front diff is wide open and it's not as hefty as the rear diff. LOTS more parts to get messed up on rocks & curbs at the mall.

Here's my observations. Just as much if not more gunk on the magnet. Fluid looked a bit darker than the rear, and the fluid level was low ... stuck finger in hole ... couldn't find the fluid. I drained it out into a container so I could be sure I put the same or more back in.

FYI anyone wanting to do this. Get the washer kit from Amazon there's a special copper washer for the front diff drain and you need a breaker bar to get it out - I used a 16oz hammer on my 3/8 ratchet handle cause I couldn't find my 1/2 drive socket that fits. I put some dings on the handle.. Glad I didn't wait longer.. I was thinking about getting the torch out. So yeah 14K on the truck... front diff black gear oil... yeah not waiting. I'll do it again next fall and see if it looks better. That Amsoil gear oil is good for 100+K miles. Yeah right... not.

Washer kit link: I bought extra crush washers from my local Toyota dealer.. since this kit is only for the drain plugs and not the fill plugs. Always good to have extra crush washers. Kind weird Toyota has 3 different style drain washers... but it is what it is.

$15 GENUINE TOYOTA GASKET KIT FOR TRANSFER AND DIFFERENTIAL SERVICE

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017V4BAXI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1


The owners manual calls for 1.6 gts of gear oil.. I put that much in, don't think I got that much out for sure.

Here's a pic or 2 of the gear oil after draining: That's black... and there's some crud off the magnet.



This is what I put in there and what was left after the refill. Filled to over flow...you will need a pump. Well it makes it take 5 minutes with the pump. Takes longer to clean up after than to do the drain and fill.

 

So what other crush washers did you need besides the kit you mentioned? Do you have a part number? My dealer parts department is a little challenged. Thanks.

 

FYI, you can reuse the copper washer,the transfer case washers, you just need to buy 3 new crush types they are not reusable, I have done this few times and have no leaks ever reusing those 3 washers

 

can't view the images.

 

That kit includes gaskets for the transfer case as well, thus 6 total

 

What spec fluid did you put back in?

 

pictures don't worky

 

Damn... I got ripped, I only got the drain gaskets.... I had to get the crush washers at the dealer.....

 

You cant see the pics I attached??

How about now??

 

Hmm... I should do this. Thanks for the write up!

 

Nice write up thx

 

Changed my front and rear at 3k, front was very clean, rear was dirty. Neither looked as black as yours and I offroad often.

 

Great post!

I change my own oil, but never done this on anything in the past. I guess I'll do it one day

 

The front and rear were dirty but I think the front was blacker for some reason.... glad I changed it.

The other day I changed my manual transmission fluid.. that was pretty clean... something that surprised me was there was no magnet in the drain plug!!

I have 14K miles... don't off road a whole lot I do run the truck in 4wd-hi at least once a week tho not always in low.

What I noticed after the front diff fluid change the truck shifts in and out of 4wd-hi WAY smoother... before change sometimes it would hang and not switch in or out... why I changed it in the first place. Now 2 blinks and its engaged or dis-engaged. I think my diff was low on fluid too. I couldn't feel the old oil sticking my pinky finger in there and reaching down as far as I could ... nothing. Now filled to over flow.

 

i have my skids on my truck still but i am planning on doing this soon, same time i do my ecgs bushing install. i feel pretty stupid asking but where are the drain and fill plugs for the front diff?

edit: nm. i found a how to thread.

 

Old topic, my '16 has almost 51,000 now, oil and black sludge on drain plug like above.
Duane

 

At 15k miles, my rear diff fluid was jet black, with a silver sheen floating on top, and plenty of blackish metal powder stuck to the drain magnet.

 

How was your front diff fluid, as this is a front diff fluid change post?

 

oopsie