Drain diff to change CV?

Helping my friend change his CV out on his 06 tacoma. Does the front diff need the oil drained first? Thanks

 

Some oil will leak out - but not necessary to drain.

 

Drain it, it doesn't hold much anyway .. I think a little over 1 qt

 

This works too if you can stab the cv back in again quick but it makes a mess

 

Ok sweet thanks guys. Draining it is

 

it holds like 1.6 quarts. I bought 1 quart of gear oil, didnt drain the diff when i pulled my CV to change the driver side needle bearing. when i got the CV back in i only needed to use about 3/4 of that quart to fill it back up fully.

 

And if you jack up the axle on the side of the vehicle you are pulling the CV from it will leak even less than that.

 

I came in here to post that. Exactly my thoughts. Tilt her over when jacking it up and it won't leak much. Either way, make sure you have some on hand to top it off. And unless you just changed it, wouldn't kill you to change it I'm sure.

 

Tilted mine when pulling CV for needle bearing and lost barely a trickle.

 

At least make sure you can get the fill plug out if it's never been out, BEFORE pulling the CV.

If its old diff oil might as well drain it all and refill.