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

true but also
Or person putting oil miscalculated,
Or bottles had less oil then was written,
or axle seals are shot
or for some odd reason housing has more room then average.
Thats why there is a

So regardless what happened things have enough oil to work in.
And if you fill until oil overflows then you are at 0 part of the above statement.
I am just saying I would be much more worry having level too low then thinking I have 4 qt and up to the fill plug.

 

Thanks Chris and Brian for posting something I'm sure for you guys is a no brainer. I'm hoping with my recent Tacoma purchase that I will do more of this type of maintenance myself rather than paying the dealership to do it.

Let me post a few questions that were not covered very well... at least I didn't pull the info out of the thread very well...

Q: I've got about 45k miles and I don't know if the previous owner changed the diff fluids or not, my guess is they probably didn't. I've seen references to using cheap oil to flush it out if it hadn't been changed in a long time... do you think 45k miles would require a 'flush out'?

Q: I saw some references to changing gaskets, is that recommended or required or would I only do it if it was leaking? Not sure if I want to tackle this or not.

Q: I saw references to new metal washers, but sounded to me like the oldies are still fine. Any problems with using the old ones?

Q: My owners manual says my 2007 DblCab TRD OffRoad needs 1.1qt for Transfer case, 1.6qt for Front Diff, and 3.0qt for Rear Diff. Obviously 3qt for Rear is pretty easy but do I just estimate the 1.1qt and 1.6qt or do you break out a measuring cup or something. Is it important to be exact or just as close as you can get?

Still trying to decide if I want to run regular or synthetic.

Thx,
Ken

 

Awesome... thanks for the quick reply.

 

Well i filled my differaential cases to the fill hole, now i found my owners manual and it states 2.80 for the rear,1.5 for the front and 1.o for tranfer case ,so now im going to go drain them and see how much of i mistake i made.

 

I dont have a factory owners manual. Does anyone know what the amount would be for the rear diff on a 2002 prerunner?

 

Did anybody else have the front start dripping out right at the 1.5 mark? On all the others it did not happen that way.

 

Great information here. Thanks to all who have posted before me. I changed the Front and Rear Differential fluids today along with the Transfer Case. I couldn’t find any pictures of the Front Diff so I took a few as I was working.

Here is the Front Differential as pictured from the driver’s side tire. The skid plate is removed in this photo.



I couldn’t get enough leverage on the short 10mm Hex Key. An extension off a bottle jack handle helped get the drain plug loosened.



I short length of tubing and a small hose clamp allowed me to have a cold beverage while the differential filled. Poke a hole in the top of the oil container to allow air to escape and speed up the process.



For reference this service was done on an ’09 Dbl Cab 4x4 with the Off Road Package
Front Differential capacity: 1.59 quarts
Rear Differential capacity: 3.12 quarts
Transfer Case capacity: 1.1 quarts

dd

 

First, special thanks to Chris4x4, Brianr, DblD, & all the others that have contributed to this thread. Made it very clear and simple to complete the maintenance.

Just did them all: Rear Diff, Xfer Case, Manual Trans, & Front Diff.

One thing in particular to note: Don't put off the front diff! Mine was dirty as the rear diff; and the magnet had as much or more shavings on it as the rear.

Granted, the winters up here have me engaging 4WD as needed for conditions more often than some, but I was still surprised at how dirty the front diff oil was.

Additionally, a socket style (fits on socket wrench/breaker bar) 10mm hex key made the removal of the front diff plugs easy.

 

Well i drained my rear diff again,because i filled to the fill hole the first time since i didnt have my owners manual, found the Om and it says 2.8 quarts,it did not hold 2.8 quarts before coming out the top hole,but close,im leaving it good at that going to drain the TC and front diff and see how close they are,if close next time ill fill to top hole again,I second the ratchet and hex head to get the front diff plugs out alot easier.

 

I own a 96 tacoma it ask for 80-90. Is it ok to use 75-90 (for more MPG)? Or should I stay with the 80-90.

 

Nice, Thanks Chris

 

i live in phoenix chris i realized ur from az as well? i wonder if you knoiw of any off road meet ups that are going on with tacoma owners?

 

pm me if you know any?

 

AHHH. One more question how tight should it be again.. 15lbs right. I think that's what I did on my 08.

 

So basically, just filling to the fill hole is fine then?

I gotta check my user manual too, I am assuming I will need the LSD additive since mine is an 09.

EDIT:
Nevermind, I read the thread, no LSD needed, and I should fill the amount specified, not necessarily to the hole. Amazing what a little reading will do.

Also wanna throw out there that dino oil is probably best, see this thread:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/145108-regearing-4-56-a.html

 

subd for future reference

TW is awesome.