Changing Differential & Transfer Case Fluids - Pics Included

Dexter Morgan said:
- I suspect using M1 75w90 with friction modifier in the front and rear diffs would be ok too? Just wondering since sometimes my local Advance Auto does not stock a ton of gear oil so my choices are limited.

- Switching to synthetic is fine at 110k miles right? I've never personally bought too much into the 'synthetic will ruin your seals' theory.

- A little binding on very slow tight turns would be considered acceptable on the full time 4wd Torsen system?
Click to expand...

- Yep

- Sure, many do, myself included.

- Yeah, nature of the beast. Sometimes a little vibration. No biggie. The Torsen T3 is extremely durable.
 
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Thanks to the help of this thread, I changed out the rear and front diffs (tfr case this weekend, was lowest priority for me).

Rear diff was easy with a breaker bar, front diff was a pain until I got the proper tool which is a 10 mm socket (not a 10 mm allen wrench). With the help of a 1' breaker bar, the drain came right out.

Gear oil smells, but mine wasn't terribly bad. Jacked up one side of the truck for more room, then when draining, lowered it to get everything out. Squirted in a few oz's to get out any remaining stuff. The $5 screw on extension tube came in real handy to pump oil in the front diff fill hole. Just routed than thing above the upper control arm snaked by the inner CV and into the hole.

Truck does seem to bind a little less which was one of my main goals. Thanks!
 
Well I attempted mine this weekend. The t-case was simple. The differentials were impossible.

Rear diff fill plug would NOT come out. Tried a huge 1/2" drive ratchet with 24mm socket, no dice. Tried a 15/16 6-point socket, no dice. Tried a box end wrench, no dice. Tried a chisel and hammer, no dice. So, didn't even attempt the drain plug. I will order new plugs from the dealer and when I get them I'll have to cut the existing plugs out somehow.

Front diff drain plug would not budge. There are markings on it from where somebody in the past used a chisel and hammer on it to attempt to break it free. I'm not sure if they had any luck or not. But the area around the drain plug is leaking slowly and I was able to get the fill plug out enough to top off the differential fluid.

What a P I T A. I guess the diffs are one of Toyota's weak points. Never seen anything like this in my life. :bash:
 
The chisel marks is a bad sign. Did you try PB Blaster? I did a couple of treatments over a couple of days and that was the ticket. YMMY of course.
 
WXman said:
Well I attempted mine this weekend. The t-case was simple. The differentials were impossible.

Rear diff fill plug would NOT come out. Tried a huge 1/2" drive ratchet with 24mm socket, no dice. Tried a 15/16 6-point socket, no dice. Tried a box end wrench, no dice. Tried a chisel and hammer, no dice. So, didn't even attempt the drain plug. I will order new plugs from the dealer and when I get them I'll have to cut the existing plugs out somehow.

Front diff drain plug would not budge. There are markings on it from where somebody in the past used a chisel and hammer on it to attempt to break it free. I'm not sure if they had any luck or not. But the area around the drain plug is leaking slowly and I was able to get the fill plug out enough to top off the differential fluid.

What a P I T A. I guess the diffs are one of Toyota's weak points. Never seen anything like this in my life. :bash:
Click to expand...

First, I'd like to thank snowbizx for the detailed info & pics! THANK YOU! Just did my F + R diff's, & transfer case with Mobil 1 75w90.

WXman, did you try a Breaker Bar? I used my 2' BB & cracked the otherwise impossible bolts right out. Easy money.
 
Well another problem is the heads of the plugs are too shallow and the socket slips off too easily. Easy to round off the plug heads with a big bar. Air chisel finally broke it free.

It appears that my front diff is still leaking. I pray that a new plug and gasket will stop the leak...and that it isn't leaking because somebody used a chisel and damaged the housing. Guess I'll try to get that drain plug out this summer.
 
Thanks for an awesome thread! Completed all three yesterday and was happy to find all the bolts came out without issue....:thumb:
 
WXman said:
Well another problem is the heads of the plugs are too shallow and the socket slips off too easily. Easy to round off the plug heads with a big bar. Air chisel finally broke it free.

It appears that my front diff is still leaking. I pray that a new plug and gasket will stop the leak...and that it isn't leaking because somebody used a chisel and damaged the housing. Guess I'll try to get that drain plug out this summer.
Click to expand...

That sucks. If you know someone with a lift, you might get better grip with a breaker once it's high up. Gotta make sure to keep the socket end secure on the head, then give it a swift tug. Good luck & hope it all works out for you.
 
Thanks for putting this thread together. It helps to change the differential fluids. Spraying PB Blaster helps to get the bolts out.
 
Fluid/Oil/WTH?

Okay again this being my first time going anywhere near this part on any car. I'm confused by what to use in my 2006 V6 4WD. Do I need "Gear Oil" or "ATF Fluid". Everyone keeps saying Mobil 1 75W-90, clearly that is not the same as this correct. . (Mobil? 1? MSATF - Automatic Transmission Fluid | O'Reilly Auto Parts Sorry for the questions just when it comes to oils, fluids, and numbers my head just spins?! Any help would be great to direct me accordingly so I can hopefully knock this job out! Thanks
 
I just did my rear differential and filled it with 3 quarts of amsoil...

I thought 3 would be enough but the fluid did not come out of the fill hole... I stuck my finger in there but I couldnt even touch the fluid.

I didn't use a level but the parking lot seemed pretty level but I'm not 100% sure.

I know it asks for 3.2 quarts but I thought 3 would be fine...

Do I need to add more?
 
Maybe, but if you're sure it took the full 3 quarts I still wouldn't worry about it.

But if it's going to worry you, just get level and add some until it flows out and then let it run to a trickle.
 
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