Front Diff noise after changing oil.

Recommendations needed! I have a 2005 trd sport. I changed my front, rear, and transfer case with Valvoline (which has slip additive in it). It sounds like gears are grinding (chatter) in the front (but has only done it twice when turning at low speeds). Just worried about driving it or if I should change the oil again with something else. It has only done it twice. Should I change it again with an additive or a different brand?

 

Are you turning while in 4WD?

 

No, it isn’t in 4 wheel drive. Just normal. I’m pretty sure it’s coming from the front.

 

What weight gear oil did you use?

-J

 

75w90 valvoline with slip additive.

 

Why did you change the oil? I have a suspicion there is more to the story here

 

It was just regular maintenance as most people do every 30,000 or so.

 

I doubt it’s the oil. I used that in my 14 with no issues. Maybe check the oil level again?

 

I did. I actually went and topped it off to make sure it wasn’t low. I have read from some others that they have had the issue also and then changed it - and it stopped. Some also say that different brands cause chattering more so than others. I just don’t know that much about the diff to understand.

 

Might want to check your wheel bearings, maybe that's the noise your hearing.

 

2nd gens get all three gear oils filled until it just barely starts to overflow through the fill hole (parked on level ground of course). Might be worth a check just to make sure that everything is still tight and it didnt leak out.

Moreover, might be worth taking a step back and thinking about other things.. You said the noise was intermittent. Did you leave a rag down there somewhere? Maybe a small tool? Maybe its not even the front diff?

Chattering as I have heard it used is typically the result of a mechanical Limited Slip mechanical being unhappy with the oil that was used (typically straight up gear without any additive). The front diffs on these trucks are full open, so that shouldn't be the issue here. Using LSD additive oil in a regular open diff shouldnt be an issue either.

 

I’ve only heard of chattering from the rear. Corvettes were notorious for this until GM came out with Dexron LS oil. If you’re positive it’s in the front, I would try a different oil.

 

Ok, let me take her out for a short drive and I’ll reply to y’all. Thank you so much. I replaced the wheel bearings last year and they don’t have play. I checked those.

 

Maybe it is back. Only heard it twice, so I’ll drive and check again.

 

Like I said above (you and I posted at the same time) chattering is an LSD thing. A true open diff like the front diff in our trucks shouldnt care as long as the oil weight and level is correct

 

Ok, I just drove and did sharp turns. It is my rear. I think I need additive. What brand do y’all recommend? Should I just get toyota brand? Or autozone?

 

And do you lift yours off the ground to fill or do it just on level ground?

 

Just get 4oz of limited slip additive. Brand shouldn’t matter.

 

Really, like who? Is it a common theme because I think I hear it too, and I just changed mine a couple weeks ago and have been wondering the same.

 

Do y’all use full synthetic or just high performance?