Changing Differential & Transfer Case Fluids - Pics Included
- Thread starter snowbizx
- Start date
TerpRunner
New member
How does anyone torque the front fill plug if they can't put the vehicle up on ramps?
I'm trying to find a torque wrench that will hit 29lb-ft but can still reach the fill plug
ARGGGG
I'm trying to find a torque wrench that will hit 29lb-ft but can still reach the fill plug
ARGGGG
You have to use Toyota transfer case fluid. this is a special fluid that has additives to protect from wear.. has electricals in the case. viscosity is not the problem .... mobil synthetic does not have any of these additives..
Attachments
I torque these plugs @25ft lbs .. use a small torque wrench that I use for spark plugs and other low torque fasteners.
looking at the plug threads on toyota vehicle I did not agree with that torque spec.. too high IMO....
Bluesky 07
Senior Member
Thanks to [MENTION=34218]snowbizx[/MENTION] for the great writeup. Wanted to post this in case it’s helpful to anyone else. I bought a set of gaskets that all came together in one bag unlike the pic below. I was only doing the front diff and while the drain gasket is obviously the big copper-colored one, sorting out the fill gasket was tough even when trying to compare the one I removed. So I made this based on the p/n listings in the first post here & a pic I found online.
firebirdguy
Member
curious why you say "mobil synthetic does not have any of these additives" where did you get this info from?
mobil & all other brand gear oils that are rated GL-5 have the same anti wear additives as toyota fluid, maybe different levels of some & more of others, but all are acceptable. the toyota manual does NOT say you HAVE to use toyota fluid... just says to use a GL-5 rated oil of the correct weight.
there are literally 10's-100's of thousands of 4runner, tacoma, FJ etc etc toyota owners that use mobil synthetic & other brands of gear oil with no problems or issues at all.
I have the blackstone lab test on the toyota transfer case oil..
buy the cheap oil in the transfer case you get what you pay for ...
I will not use the mobil synthetic gear oil 75-90wt .. el cheapo and no additives to protect the T/Case .. blackstone lab test on the Mobil ..
using the wrong lubricant is your problem ..
buy the cheap oil in the transfer case you get what you pay for ...
I will not use the mobil synthetic gear oil 75-90wt .. el cheapo and no additives to protect the T/Case .. blackstone lab test on the Mobil ..
using the wrong lubricant is your problem ..
firebirdguy
Member
yeah, ive seen VOA's on the toyota fluid. can you explain what these magical additives are that other quality synthetics or conventional gear oils dont have? & why mobil gear oil has "no additives to protect the T/case?" thats pure non sense! mobil or amsoil etc are not "cheap" in any way & not one single user of mobil or other non toyota gear lubes have ever had any kind of problems protecting the t-case.
why are you telling us we "have" to use toyota fluid in the xfer case when toyota themselves say in the owners manual to simply use a gear oil that meets the right weight & rating? i have never seen anything about absolutely needing to use toyota branded gear lube lubes in any pre 2015 4runners or tacomas. there is some info that says for 2014/2015 & later toyota uses that special gear lube, but that does NOT apply to any earlier year 4runner, tacoma or FJ etc, & even the dealerships just use a common bulk 75/90 GL-5 lube on these years. if you are only referring to 5th gens then that may be the case, but there are countless 5th gen owners using mobil or other synthetic lube with zero issues.
& i have no problems using the "wrong lubricants"... so not sure what thats supposed to mean... my 2008 T-case works excellent & is smooth & quiet using valvoline 75/90 synthetic. but then again you think you can tell by looking at the plug threads that the toyota engineers were off by 4 ft lbs on their torque ratings! LOL!
Last edited:
Boulder BC
New member
Filling through drain plug.
I have an 03 Limited V-8. The rear diff fill plug is rounded out pretty good and is also stuck pretty good as well.
I have seen a couple videos of folks filling the rear diff through the drain hole using pump and rubber stopper. Does anybody on this forum have experience doing this? Or better yet, any advice on getting the rounded, stuck ill plug off?
Thanks!
I have an 03 Limited V-8. The rear diff fill plug is rounded out pretty good and is also stuck pretty good as well.
I have seen a couple videos of folks filling the rear diff through the drain hole using pump and rubber stopper. Does anybody on this forum have experience doing this? Or better yet, any advice on getting the rounded, stuck ill plug off?
Thanks!
Info for 2019 4Runner with
tab delimited, copy to excel for better viewing.
Hope that helps someone out.
Please update OP as necessary.
- updated P/Ns
- MSRPs as of Dec 11 2019
- links to parts.toyota.com for reference
Code:
item desc part/num
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug 90341-12012
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug Gasket 90430-12031
Front Differential Fill Plug Gasket 12157-10010
Front Differential Drain Plug Gasket 90430-24003
Front Differential Drain Plug 90341-24014
Front Differential Fill Plug 90341-18032
Front Differential (old p/n 90930-03136) Breather Plug 90930-03219
Rear Differential Fill Plug Gasket 12157-10010
Rear Differential Drain Plug Gasket 12157-10010
Rear Differential Drain Plug 90341-18057
Rear Differential (old p/n 90341-18006) Fill Plug 90341-A0002
Rear Differential (old p/n 90930-03031) Breather Plug 90930-A3001
Transfer Case (old p/n 90341-18006) Drain Plug 90341-A0002
Transfer Case (old p/n 90341-18006) Fill Plug 90341-A0002
Transfer Case (old p/n 90930-03172) Breather Plug 90930-A3005
Transfer Case Fill Plug Gasket 90430-18008
Transfer Case Drain Plug Gasket 90430-18008
Fluids:
2 (1.6) Qts LT 75w-90 GL-5 Gear Oil Front Differential
3 (2.8) Qts LT 75w-90 GL-5 Gear Oil Rear Differential
2 (1.1) Qts Toyota LF SAE 75w Gear Oil Transfer Case
7 (6.6) Qts Toyota OEM ILSAC GF-5 SAE 0w-20 oil Oil Pan
Code:
where used unique p/n count MSRP Reference Links
Oil Pan Drain Plug 90341-12012 1 $5.52 https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2019_4Runner/PLUG-PLUG-SUB-ASSEMBLY/62986468/9034112012.html
Oil Pan Drain Gasket 90430-12031 1 $1.13 https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2019_4Runner/GASKET/62973975/9043012031.html
Fr Diff Fill, Rr Diff Drain/Fill Gasket 12157-10010 3 $1.64 https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2019_4Runner/GASKET-PLUG/62915390/1215710010.html
Fr Diff Drain Gasket 90430-24003 1 $2.16 https://parts.toyota.com/p/GASKET/62986560/9043024003.html
Fr Diff Drain Plug 90341-24014 1 $11.32 https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2019_4Runner/PLUG/63351244/9034124014.html
Fr Diff Fill Plug 90341-18032 1 $7.41 https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2019_4Runner/PLUG/62981763/9034118032.html
Fr Diff Breather Plug 90930-03219 1 $9.68 https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2019_4Runner/PLUG---BREATHER-FOR-FRONT-DIFFERENTIAL/66841376/9093003219.html
Rr Diff Drain Plug 90341-18057 1 $12.24 https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2019_4Runner/PLUG-PLUG-SUB-ASSEMBLY/62986471/9034118057.html
T-Case Drain/Fill, Rr Diff Fill Plug 90341-A0002 3 $6.61 https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2019_4Runner/PLUG-FOR-REAR-AXLE-HOUSING-FILLER/63286991/90341A0002.html
Rr Diff Breather Plug 90930-A3001 1 $10.72 https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2019_4Runner/PLUG---BREATHER-FOR-REAR-AXLE-HOUSING/63154719/90930A3001.html
T-Case Breather Plug 90930-A3005 1 $2.44 https://parts.toyota.com/p/PLUG---BREATHER/69385720/90930A3005.html
T-Case Drain/Fill Gasket 90430-18008 2 $1.90 https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2019_4Runner/GASKET-PLUG-RING-SEAL/62973978/9043018008.htmltab delimited, copy to excel for better viewing.
Hope that helps someone out.
Please update OP as necessary.
Last edited:
SimonMaldonado89
New member
Hello,
I have done the rear diff and transfer case fluid change, but when tried to do the front differential, the 10 mm hex did not fit on the drain nor fill plugs, I also tried 8mm but didn’t work neither. The feeling I am getting is that previous owner just replaced the plugs with a size in between but I am not sure if a 9mm hex even exist, anyone with a similar experience or any advise on how to proceed?
I have done the rear diff and transfer case fluid change, but when tried to do the front differential, the 10 mm hex did not fit on the drain nor fill plugs, I also tried 8mm but didn’t work neither. The feeling I am getting is that previous owner just replaced the plugs with a size in between but I am not sure if a 9mm hex even exist, anyone with a similar experience or any advise on how to proceed?
Drift Monkey
New member
Bolt extractor socket set from Harbor Freight has worked for me in the past.
Charliehorse
New member
Great thread. Was going to have dealer do both differentials, transfer case, and spare tire carrier with the binding cable issue I found, when trying to fix the low spare tpms warning, but they wanted over 900 and were going to use a bulk "no name" 80-90w oil saying any 80-90 oil is fine. They also charge 4x the price for the crush washers and 2x for spare tire carrier as another dealer 100 miles away, so I ordered from them and saved almost 200 including same day shipping.
I'm in the land of snow and ice but I got everything needed and used amsoil severe gear 75-90 in rear and transfer and Mobil1 75-90 in the front. I'm in 2wd more than 4 and the rear was much dirtier than the other 2 at 130k miles. This write up was great. Ended up getting 1.5 mpg more after the change but also changed pcv at same time so maybe that helped a bit.
I'm in the land of snow and ice but I got everything needed and used amsoil severe gear 75-90 in rear and transfer and Mobil1 75-90 in the front. I'm in 2wd more than 4 and the rear was much dirtier than the other 2 at 130k miles. This write up was great. Ended up getting 1.5 mpg more after the change but also changed pcv at same time so maybe that helped a bit.
Last edited:
Bluesky 07
Senior Member
SHagood
New member
Charliehorse
New member
I wish I was. It was 3.5 hrs labor unless they charge more than the $120/hr they used to ... They go by book not actual time they spend like my old mechanic, $300 for tire carrier and bolts, I'm guessing about $20 per qt of cheap 80-90, $30 for washers, and tax.
I need another honest mechanic who pays for service manual subscription, users torque wrenches where needed, and charges roughly half of dealership. I'd gladly pay 4hrs labor for that guy to do it right and letting me provide what's needed. I didn't realize it would be so hard finding that when my guy retired.
I don't mind doing most normal maintenance but the really awkward and messy stuff where a lift and cutting bolts off is needed I'd rather have the expert when its 20 degrees outside with inches of snow and ice and the creeper doesn't help much being off the cement.
I need another honest mechanic who pays for service manual subscription, users torque wrenches where needed, and charges roughly half of dealership. I'd gladly pay 4hrs labor for that guy to do it right and letting me provide what's needed. I didn't realize it would be so hard finding that when my guy retired.
I don't mind doing most normal maintenance but the really awkward and messy stuff where a lift and cutting bolts off is needed I'd rather have the expert when its 20 degrees outside with inches of snow and ice and the creeper doesn't help much being off the cement.
Bluesky 07
Senior Member
P.S. Another tip: spray Fluid Film or something similar on the fill & drain plugs after they’re reinstalled to keep them from getting rusted in or otherwise gummed up. Much easier to remove next time.
Similar threads
