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

Thank you for posting this write-up. My stealership wants to charge me $80 to change the diff fluid!!

 

Just finished reading through the whole thread. Decided to go with Mobil 1 Synthetic

$29 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90 on my 07 V6 4x4 O-R, The oil ran me 9.78 a quart with tax. Will be doing the change tomorrow and plan on doing the front diff and t-case next weekend.

I really appreciate you taking the time writing this up for us. And to Chris for clarifying questions. I'm a lurker on the site, low posts. How's the job search Chris? Hope you're doing alright man thanks a lot.

 

I found this over on Toyota Nation. Pretty good write up on doing all three, plus lots of pics. This thread was starting to slow down, so this way we should be able to breathe about another 15 pages of life into it, so people reading it can spend another 1/2 hour reading through it.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1492885&postcount=37

 

I have to admit, when it comes to maintanence I'm glad I have a PreRunner...just the rear diff to worry about.

On another note, will Mobil1 Synthetic

$29 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90 LS be ok for my locker (TRD Off Road)? I don't see why it would be a problem and it was the only one I wanted to get other than some brand I've never heard of at Autozone.

Update: oil changed last night. I drained out a bit over 2.5 quarts of the stuff and put three full quart bottles in. I never experienced the differential overflowing and having to stop for a bit to let the oil spead out a bit. Not sure if this is normal but that's what happened.

 

When i first changed my diff oil to Royal Purple, I got a bit of chattering, but after a while, it went away. I just assumed the oil got worked in between the clutch pack. Around 10k later, I am getting a little binding in turns. I am going to switch out to a conventional oil with LSD additive.

Is there a consensus in terms of which dino oil is the best to use? Same with LSD additive? Hopefully no damage has been done by running the RP for 10k.

 

Same here, in the morning when pulling out of my garage I feel that, and after work, when the truck has been sitting for a while I get that chattering, studdering and binding!! I will be replacing it when I have the money & time!! No damage but for the record IMO, Synthetic should not be used in the differential!! Going back to Dino!!

 

Thanks Chris
I am always amazed at how fast you seem to reply. Who makes the GM additive? Is it only available from the dealer or will the local autoparts store have it?

 

GM additive part number 1052358. Currently retails for about $14 for a 4 oz bottle.

 

Just got done swapping out the old royal purple to Castrol 80w90 dino oil and Ford LSD additive. I couldn't get to the chevy dealer before they closed and while I was at toyota getting new crush washers, the parts guy said they use and sold the Ford stuff there.

Not sure if it is just in my head, but the diff already feels a lot smoother. Thanks for everyones input.

 

Chris thanks for the write up. I cant figure out why I ever paid to have this done on my other trucks. put about 500 miles on since the weekend and definetly feels smoother. By the way the old fluid was reddish milky brown. Glad I did this. I called a garage to get a rprice and save 100 bucks for doing this and my oil at the same time, know it synthetic. Next is the front and transfer case.

 

Well I just read all 26 pages of this thread!!! Great freaking info. I have a 1st gen with no rear locker. Should just be start oil and no LSD...
I plan to do this step by step Chris.
Second owner to this truck and per the service records the 1st owner kept, looks like the Front and Diff and transfer with changed at 104,000. So yeah, bout time!!!!

 

I just changed my rear diff oil however it took MORE than 3 qts ( almost 4)and still wasnt running out. I was doing it on a slight incline ( I envy you guys w/ flat & level driveways).

Is this gonna be a problem ? too much oil in there. I used a jack to level out the back so it appeared flat and level but I'm concerned that I used too much...

any imput ? ( BTW I have std 4x4)

 

what you need to do is get it on a level ground and take the top fill plug out and let it run out until it stops and reinstall the plug, and you be fine

 

I thought it was because oil expands and it will overflow from the breather.