Front Diff and Transfer Case Oil Change Howto

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Just purchased my first Taco! 2008 Access cab TRD off-road 4x4 with automatic trans. I bought it from a nice 72 year old man that has had it for 6 years. He maintained all services through the dealership he bought it from and did all regularly suggested maintenance . It has 93k miles on it and at 90k he put new plugs and wires into it. A couple of things. 1. I notice it has never had a transmission flush &/or service done. (Should I do one) 2. Neither differentials. trans-axle or drive train have ever been service and/or greased. So, the question is this. Should I fear replacing the transmission fluid with this many miles(or having someone do it for me)? Also, should I fear replacing the differentials gear oil and trans-axle gear oil? Which oils should I use? I am aware that the TRD off-road apparently doesn't have a mechanical LSD. If I spend a couple of bucks for better stuff; so be it, but I want to make sure I am well informed before I do such a vital maintenance. The guy doesn't appear to have used the 4x4 much at all. It shifts quickly and smoothly in and out of 4H and 4L. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks this is my first post and I hope I was able to keep it all coherent I will get some pictures up soon it is Pearl Black

 

No suggestions on gear oils I should use? Synthetic vs NS. When I read the intro page I have been following the stuff for better MPG to a T. I got the high air flow filter suggested and scan gauge II for monitoring an clearing. The other suggestion was to switch all fluids to synthetics. Since I started down that road I found a lot of arguments pro/con towards synthetics. I have always been a synthetic fan but I don't want to mess something up by being cavalier about it. I will be doing my Front and Read Diff + Trans-axle this weekend one way or the other so some help would be appreciated.

 

My toyota dealer doesnt follow the maintenance schedule.
I live on gravel, and occasionally tow. I have 43,000 miles on my 2010.
They dont change spark plugs, front or rear diff or transfer case at the recommended 30,000. (15,000 if you live on gravel or tow)
When i asked them why they ignore what is reccomended, they said they never have had any problems.
They said plugs will still look new at 60,000-80,000. Same with fluids.
I'm done going to the dealer.

 

anyone have any good ideas to remove a striped drain plug on the front diff? looks like someone in the past used a 3/8 allen insted of the 10mm and striped it out. i have a new plug to put back in just cant get the old one out. thanks

 

Look closely in the very center of the plug ... there should be a smaller torx head inset that will allow you to remove the old plug. That's how mine was anyway. I don't recall what size torx it was, but it was in my standard set.

 

ill give that a look in a few i got a new plug from toyota yesterday so i can change it today. thanks for the info.

 

hey everyone, brand new to tacomaworld and FINALLY bought my first tacoma. Long time coming. so Ive got a question as far as gear oil to use for the front and rear diff's. Ive got an 06 TRD OFFROAD. has the rear locker, ive seen that since it has the rear locker i DO NOT get limited slip gear oil for the rear. Now what about the front diff? still go without limited slip add?

 

Hey Ryan, Welcome.
There are LS indicators on many brands of oil, but I believe that only means that they're compatible with LSD, or non. They don't actually contain the additive.
I used Mobil 1 and have no complaints. I did change my rear fluid back to conventional oil, though; that's only because my Sport has the LSD and was starting to chatter.

 

Sub'd for future reference.

 

Did my transfer, front and rear today. Front was milky/black with moderate metal on the drain plug (consistency of muck), transfer was clean as a whistle (like new oil), and rear was black with more muck on the plug like the front. BUT the rear drain plug also had two large metal shavings on it (see picture). Is this normal?

Truck has 31k miles, first gear oil change. I've only owned it since 28k miles.

 

Had a similar thing happen today, they wouldn't change the gear oils under "Toyota Care Plus" extended maintainence because that is not necessary under "Normal Conditions". I moaned about normal conditions for a 4WD to no avail. Turns out the dealer I bought it from had sold me a bunch on bull, called em up and got a 850 refund on my note and cancelled Toyota Care Plus. Win win I say, now I get to do it myself! (And they did sparks and an oil change last month, probably the only time the dealer gets screwed!)

 

Just did all 3, rear diff, transfer case, and front diff. Both the rear diff and the transfer case were just like my 98 that was recalled. However the front diff was a major PITA. The old 98 I could do it myself in my driveway. The 09 is completely different and finding the fill and filling it was very difficult. Thank god I had a friend help me. If I do it myself next time I am going to try jacking up the front left and removing the tires. The only was the pictures in the write-up could have possibly be taken was to do that.

Also, the skid plate is a two piece deal now. You only need to remove the rearward part to do this job.

- Brian

 

Just did my 2013. Awesome write-up. Thanks.

I did not have to remove the OEM skid to do my front diff, it is far enough behind the skid to reach without a problem. (maybe I should think about an aftermarket skid.....).

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I have noticed that since doing this oil change I have an intermittent vibration only when the truck is cold (been sitting for at least a few hours, it's never that cold here).

******Edited out very long post*********

Sorry for the long post.....

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It was the tires.

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Not here.... made a mistake. Oops!

 

can someone help me real quick, I'm sure this has been covered but I don't want to go through all these pages.

I have a TRD so can I use

$30 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90 mobile 1 with limited slip additive? This is all I am able to get.

 

Yes you can, most have it in them already and won't hurt anything.

 

Thanks brotha