Front Diff and Transfer Case Oil Change Howto

They seem to over tighten everything at the factory, even getting the filter off for the first oil change was a nightmare. The good news is that I now have every oil filter wrench known to man.

 

Just out of curiosity was the Jack positioned on the drivers side or passenger side of the truck? I can't imagine how you could get the proper angle to actually turn the hex.

 

Granted my truck only had 22,000 miles when i did my fluids, but everything seemed torqued accordingly. Only took a 14" breaker bar at moderate force to loosen every one.

 

Please listen the last thing you want to do when working on your truck is to cause more problems or hurt yourself. I bought my Tacoma in February with 38,000 miles. Before that I paid for all my maiintenace and did not do very much preventative maintenance. When I bought the Tacoma I found TW and saw all the DIY articles. Since February I have changed the diffs and transfer case, oil change, cleaned mas and throttle body, changed plugs, upgraded headlights, and practiced getting the truck in temp check mode to perform a AT flush soon.

The one thing in common with all these jobs is the preparation I do beforehand. I read the threads once from beginning to the end. Often times someone will post a trick somewhere in the thread that may help. I then look at it again and plan the job and acquire the proper tools. If it's posted to use a 6 point socket instead of a 12 I go get one, torque wrench, breaker bars, etc. Most often a job takes me longer than it should. That's because I take my time and if I run into a problem I stop and think about it, or post a question, or search.

Good luck

 

Precisely that !
Couldn't of said better. When the time comes to do the job, I almost know the tread by heart. It's the original post, +, all the comments that helps. I ran in a pump situation with the rear diff. I had read enough of the tread to turn myself around and find a quick solution. And have the tread readily one my phone close by while working !
I'm a handy person, but it's not my trade, and this keeps me from doing it wrong the first time and then learn from my mistakes. It's a good thing to learn by mistrial, but if I can do it right, just once, I'm a happy camper !

 

That's exactly what I did. All I had to buy was a 24mm socket and a cheap pump plus fluids and crush washers and I was set. I must have read this thread four or five times and then found some DIY videos on YouTube. When I got under my truck I knew exactly where everything was and what to expect. I couldn't believe how easy it was due to the right preparation. And, as I said before, if I can do it anyone can.

 

It's a Christmas miracle!!! God bless us one and all!

Welcome back Arin, we needed some quality entertainment.

 

Changing this fluid (and the rear diff) for the second time this weekend thanks to this DIY write up. Can't wait to wrench on my truck

 

I have '06 Tacoma Double Cab 4X4 and having trouble with the low clearance at front differential. Is jack stand advisable or ramp is better to get access to the front diff?

 

Either one, just make sure its level when filling. I was able to drain while it was on wheels, but needed to jack up the front when torquing the drain and fill bolts. After tightening them, i lowered back to wheels to fill. I had 3/8 ID hose which i ran down the engine bay to fill, no pump needed.

 

Just did this on Monday. Both front and rear where a little milky, the TC was fine, 35K miles. I was surprised since I've never really had it in any deep water other than rain puddles on the road. Pretty straight forward and I was able to do it with wheels on. My driveway slopes down, as most do, so I just raised the rear by driving the back end up on 2x10's to level it out. The only hard part was trying to get a torque wrench on the front diff. It could be done with a small torque wrench or raising the vehicle.

 

@njjoe732

 

Can anybody recommend a good place to get a replacement fill plug for front diff (the 10mm Hex) ...it's not stripped, just a little warn so I figured I'll replace it when I have it off.

I'm pretty far from a Toyota dealer. Was hoping to find it online somewhere. Amazon?

Thanks

 

This is more than likely the part # your looking for 90341-18066. I found this by going here and putting in the vin for my truck obviously put in your vin. http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/q.html

Camelback has them this is a link to their site you'll need to put in your trucks info. http://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/parts/index.cfm?action=selectCatalogYearMakeModel&siteid=214329

 

I would avoid using impacts on the plugs unless you want to replace the plug after removal...the steel is awfully soft.

 

Great write up! Problems with th e front diff drain plug. Always had the stealership do the service before I hooked up with TW. There's NO WAY that plug's ever been out before. Cock munchers are about to get a rash o' shit when I take it in this week...

 

Holyshit Batman!!

 

Dude - was it your breaker bar that broke AND the hex socket? Were you able to pull out the remnants of the hex socket from the hex bolt?

 

Mine was pretty stuck. I used one of these

And one of these


Edit: I still can't post pictures. It's an Allen wrench and a rubber mallet.

 

Hex stripped out eventually. I suck with intranets, so the pics aren't in order, I don't think.

The hex fit snug, tapped it in and started with the 1/2" drive with the 3/8" adapter (assuming I'd be needing it to torque the DP back in). Realized that it was tighter than I'd thought and went to the 3/8" drive. Realized I'd need a breaker with a cheater and put the propane on it (don't know why I didn't bring the mini kit over and put more heat on it, I'm just lazy). With the breaker and a cheater (which works much better in tight spots as you can adjust your length) the hex stripped out. Got passed, used one of these posts suggestions and dremeled the hex into a 3/8" square. Breaker fit perfectly. With the cheater on the breaker I was lifting the truck (not literally, but I'm getting red faced and looking at the suspension lifting), so I'm kind of like "Are you shitting me?" So, in a fit of anger I decided I'd put the jack under the breaker and make sure I wasn't imagining things. The pic with the jack was supposed to demonstrate the "lifting" of the truck. In hindsight it probably doesn't make sense to anyone but me. Lifted the driver side for more leverage, set the breaker almost straight down with the cheater right at the floor, held the bull bar and used my leg, pushing and pulling at the same time. Square drive on the 3/8" breaker snapped. Long story, but ended up using a 24oz. Ball peen and a Ken plug tool (tapered squares) to pound the fucker into submission.