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

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by brianr, Jan 21, 2009.

  1. Dec 23, 2015 at 3:48 PM
    #2001
    Gooch

    Gooch Well-Known Member

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    I say use a breaker bar and a six-point socket. You may have to tap the socket slightly with a hammer to get it on.
     
  2. Dec 23, 2015 at 3:54 PM
    #2002
    Nichostiles

    Nichostiles Well-Known Member

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    Thanks Gooch. I'm gonna try that. I should buy a breaker bar anyway for future work.

    Sorry for all the stupid questions, I'm just getting to this stuff.
     
  3. Dec 23, 2015 at 4:18 PM
    #2003
    ImpulseRed008

    ImpulseRed008 Gone But Not Forgotten

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    drop your spare tire - gives you more room to work under there. Rubber mallet and breaker bar :thumbsup:
     
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  4. Dec 23, 2015 at 4:30 PM
    #2004
    Nichostiles

    Nichostiles Well-Known Member

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    Good idea. Thank you Susan
     
  5. Dec 23, 2015 at 4:40 PM
    #2005
    Gooch

    Gooch Well-Known Member

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    BTW mine came loose with the standard ratchet. So I really think the reason you can't get yours loose isn't because it's overly 'tight' but because it's frozen. Therefore, I would soak that thing every day for a week with PB blaster or whatever your favorite penetrant is.
     
  6. Dec 23, 2015 at 6:01 PM
    #2006
    ejl923

    ejl923 Well-Known Member

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    One thing I've done every once in a while is tap the nut with a blunt punch and hammer to knock it loose, kind of around the threads, I don't know if it actually ever did anything, can anyone chime in on this?
     
  7. Dec 23, 2015 at 6:10 PM
    #2007
    ImpulseRed008

    ImpulseRed008 Gone But Not Forgotten

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    have never done that. Just held the socket on the nut, and smacked the ratchet with the hammer
     
  8. Dec 27, 2015 at 9:46 AM
    #2008
    asuchemist

    asuchemist My Hamstrings Hurt!

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    Just did my plugs. Now I need to change the LSD oil. Looking forward to this. Hope I don't make a mess.
     
  9. Dec 28, 2015 at 8:02 AM
    #2009
    nj636

    nj636 Hub Master General

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  10. Dec 28, 2015 at 9:22 AM
    #2010
    ajohnson

    ajohnson Glamour Shot

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    Fill plugs do not have magnets, drain plugs do.
     
  11. Dec 28, 2015 at 9:24 AM
    #2011
    Nichostiles

    Nichostiles Well-Known Member

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    I deleted that to save myself embarrassment... I'm a rookie to this stuff. Haha. Thanks for the tip.
     
  12. Dec 28, 2015 at 9:34 AM
    #2012
    ajohnson

    ajohnson Glamour Shot

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    Lol, no worries. That's what threads like this are for.
     
  13. Dec 28, 2015 at 10:49 AM
    #2013
    Gooch

    Gooch Well-Known Member

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    That's what threads are for
     
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  14. Dec 30, 2015 at 8:03 PM
    #2014
    FakeName1007

    FakeName1007 New Member

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    Hello all--

    Been browsing this forum for hours and my eyes hurt...can't find what I'm looking for so I'll just ask: How often should rear differential oil be changed in a 2013 PreRunner? My manual does not even list it as a maintenance item, the forum answers here vary from 30K miles to 100k miles, and my dealership's service department says "when it's dirty." Humph.

    Street driving only, nothing offroad, and occasional towing of a small trailer.

    Have 35k miles on it now and don't want to let it get ahead of me.

    Your thoughts?

    Thanks!
     
  15. Dec 30, 2015 at 8:36 PM
    #2015
    Gooch

    Gooch Well-Known Member

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    My 2 cents...if you don't dunk your rear and you do mostly street driving with minimal towing, you don't need to do it very often.

    That said, it's fairly easy to do, so there's really no compelling reason to stretch it out too far.

    My advice is to do it now and observe how dirty it is. If it looks practically new like mine did, wait another 35K to do it again. Shorten the interval considerably if it's really dirty.
     
  16. Dec 31, 2015 at 5:55 AM
    #2016
    FakeName1007

    FakeName1007 New Member

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    Thank you, Gooch. That's a reasonable approach. Still, a little guidance from the engineers at Toyota would have been appreciated. They make it a point to say to change the cabin air filter every 20k miles (every 20k for Pete's sake!) yet don't list the rear diff fluid change as a regular "replace" item. Thanks again.
     
  17. Dec 31, 2015 at 7:47 AM
    #2017
    xJuice

    xJuice My spoon is too Big!

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    Your maintenance manual says to inspect the diff oil every 30k. The replace every 30k comes from the 05-08 maintenance manuals back when there was an available mechanical limited slip. That says to replace the limited slip differential oil, if equipped.
     
  18. Dec 31, 2015 at 8:16 AM
    #2018
    Gooch

    Gooch Well-Known Member

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    Gen1 is similar except that it is to be replaced at regular intervals for 'special operating conditions'. I forget the mileage but I think it is 15,000.

    That said if you don't fall into the 'special operating conditions' category technically you would never replace it. I'm not cool with essentially never replacing it. Again, it's pretty easy and not very expensive.

    Same thing goes for the fuel filter for Gen 1's. No service interval. However, I still think it's a good idea to replace it every once in a while.
     
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  19. Dec 31, 2015 at 10:07 AM
    #2019
    asuchemist

    asuchemist My Hamstrings Hurt!

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    So I am doing this today. Somewhat confused on the LSD Additive. Some say not needed in 09 or greater. But at 30K miles service the dealer shows they included a 4oz lsd additive.

    So do I do 3 quarts 75-90 gear oil plus 4 oz lsd additive?

    TIA
     
  20. Dec 31, 2015 at 10:17 AM
    #2020
    Nichostiles

    Nichostiles Well-Known Member

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    Hope this helps... From the OP
     
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