Help! 2016 OR rear diff fluid change

Interesting.
I went with the Toyota fluid because my wife's center diff calls for it so I figured why not. My local dealership parts guy looked at me like I had 3 heads when I asked for it. They wanted $103/can for it and I needed 3 cans. He ended up selling to me "at cost" for $53 a can because they have a bunch and don't use it or sell it. We only need 1 can though because they are liters and it calls for 1.1 qt of fluid.

 

Interesting. I have not had these issues and the Ravenol has been in there for almost 20k. What temps are you talking about for cold weather? Here, we're in the 20s for a short time.

But, the VOAs that you posted were pretty revealing. With the 2LM and the T case seeing more use because of it, I am thinking about the Toyota fluid next time. Probably, a good idea for me to get friendly with BITOG again?

 

I experienced the same w the syncromax. Slight hangups, took a lil longer and noisier. Ravenol seems behave better than RP, I've yet to use LF

 

Not me. I like when things improve and make my life easier.

 

LF was the factory fill. I assumed that it needed swapped at about 7k like the diffs and transmission definitely did. It could have stayed in for a much longer time with no visual evidence of break in particles and such. I wheeled a few times and have always done the 10mi/mo exercise if not. So, the T case was getting used.

 

There was probably 5k on the syncromax oil and it was pretty dark.

 

I did my diffs and transfer case at 25k on my truck. The front fluid was pretty nasty, I guess its to be expected because it has less volume and the gears need to break in. The rear wasn't bad but the magnet was covered with metallic sludge from break in. The transfer case fluid looked fine, but the plug does not have a magnet so it didn't have any metallic sludge.

 

Very interesting. Mine came out looking like new fluid. If my drain pan was clean, I might have put it back in.

I'm now in a debate with myself about when to hit the driveline again. Going back and forth between 35k, 50k, or 65k. No significant towing or extended wheeling.

The front diff is also always spinning because of the ADD. While the ring, pinion, and shaft are not spinning, the axles, bearings, and spider gears are. Someday, I will have @05Taco4x4 's freehub mod.

 

What oils in there now?

 

Ravenol since just shy of 7k. Close to 27k now. I have found no issues yet.

 

Only tangentially related but the 75W85 LT is terrible in Torsen LSD’s. Toyota originally spec’d 75W90 without any special modifiers for their open and Torsen diffs (and I’ve seen all kinds used without issue), but when they switched to 75W85 they split the spec for 75W85 synthetic LT for open and LX for Torsens.

I mistakenly ran the LT in my Torsen and it was quite the chatterbox. Something I have never experienced or expected to experience with a Torsen. The LX completely cleared it up.

In some cases Toyota’s own oil specs and additives can make a pretty big difference. These days if I can get the original spec oil I always do. That is unless I’m having issues and experimenting.

Jeff

 

Meh if u get bored swap it out. If no issues I'd leave it. That's what I'd do haha. Most certainly I'd get bored and change it though haha.

 

Your truck would have had LF from factory. Be interested to see if you notice a difference going back from Ravenol.

 

Yeah idk why I said that haha. When I swapped oils initially it wasn't a conscious comparison. So it'd be interesting to see how LF and Rav compare.

 

That's the funny part. A lot of folks (maybe confused?) have said that their dealers filled the T cases with gear oil. So in my mind, Ravenol is a leg up there.

LoL! Same here. I was bored around 5k and did the engine oil. It was fun as always. This being my first truck, I wanted to mess with the gear lubes and check their condition, so that happened at about 7k. I was happy to be done with ToyotaCare, but the dealer reminded me that they do two more free services for cars bought there. At least they do good work from what I have seen.

I've been wanting to get my hands on the wife's Forester. It is coming off dealer service after this last one.

With the kids growing up, and one driving now, I have time on my hands.

 

Me and my long time friend just did the 3qt trans drain and fill, we had to wait for the oil to cool and he just kept saying, what else can we fuck with on this thing? Adjusting the front bumper, re checking diffs n transfer case. Haha. boredom used for good

 

Ha! Boredom is rarely used for good. Nice work fighting your nature.