Differential fluid change

check if diff fluid change needed

I just got this truck which was neatly maintained, very smooth operation and was wondering if i can check the condition of the diff oils before i shop for all the supplies. i was thinking of opening the fill plug and sticking my finger in to examine the quality of the oil, any suggestions
 
Without sending the fluid off for a UOA (Used Oil Analysis), it's almost impossible to tell the 'condition' of the fluid by just looking at it.

Most likely it's still protecting components, but it's never a bad idea to change it out if you don't know the condition of it. It's an ounce of prevention.

Ricky
 
new to working on the 4runner

I have a 2004 2wd 4runner ..... i should only have to change the diff. oil right? .....

I also have a 96 t100 4wd w/ 135k i think i might try and tackle all the oils in it next... i just wanta make sure i get the 4runner ( daily driver) done 1st....

Does anyone know if they have the same crush washers
 
I changed the oil in the front and rear the other day. I reused the same washers because I'm not worried about it leaking and if it does it would be an extremely small amount over a long period of time. Remember that plug is above the fluid level most of the time. I didn't have to buy a pump to get the fluid into the axel housings. The Royal Purple that I used had spout type cap making it easy to squirt into the rear housing.
For the front I just used a long section of rubber hose that I lowered from the engine compartment into the fill hole. I just stuck the bottle's spout into the tube and flipped the bottle upside down. I then punched a hole in the bottom of the bottle and let gravity do the work for me while I went and did something else. When that bottle was empty I cut the bottom off of it and dumped in the other 1/2 quart that was needed to fill the housing.
I haven't gotten to the transfere case yet and that might wait till spring when its warmer outside. My vehicle has 49k miles on it right now and this is the first time I changed those fluids on the vehicle. Those fluids that I did drain looked normal and the smell wasn't that bad so I don't think I will have to change it again. I'll let the next owner worry about that when I sell it years down the road.
 
FYI: A few months ago I replaced all the diff fluids with Mobile 1 Synthetic, including the tranx case. My car is at the dealership now for the 1st time to address a few minor issues. One of which was a vibration issue at parking lot speeds when turning sharply. The tech called and said even though I used the full synthetic oil, the rear differential still needs the additive. He said the rear clutches back there were "chattering" due to no additive. I authorized him to put it in, he called back, and said no more vibration and the clutches have stopped chattering.

I will post up later after I pick it up and test it myself to confirm. I have an 05' V8 SR5 with perm. 4x4 setup.
 
The rear diff needing an additive? I just use regular non-synthetic Valoline gear oil in there and change it every 30k miles. I do not believe that it needs an additive.
 
I can confirm, the additive fixed the problem. The problem was when I would turn the wheel at a sharp angle while stopped, then started to go, a vibration would run throughout the entire car, like the 4x4 low setting was engaged. With the additive in the rear diff now, that vibration is gone and it takes off normally. I have also noticed that around 60mph, when I would let off the gas and coast, I would get a vibration from the rear, a very fast vibration, too fast to be tire related. That has now gone too. I don't know what all of this means to be honest, but I do know whatever additive they put in there, fixed the problem. I guess the rear is a posilock system? I haven't a clue.
 
The Amsoil "Long Life Synthetic Gear Lube SAE 75W-90 (FGR)" is what I have been using in my 4Runner since 52k miles. I'm just a little over 100k with lots of miles of towing and have had no problems. I changed out the fluid at around 95k just for safety sake, but it still looked okay. Metal shavings were pretty minimal on the magnet.

Ricky
 
The severe gear from amsoil is deffinitely a change for the better from the series 2000 product. I have the 75-90 in the 4-runner, and it works great, and I have the 75w-110 in both axles on my truck, and it works great there as well, even with the rear locker. Being a dealer though, I am biased towards Amsoil......
 
I believe that this is the first time that someone has mentioned an additive being needed for the rear diff? My FSM states that 80w-90 is required. Of course things could have changed since 2003 so an amended or corrected gear oil many be specified in the newer models?

I have been using regular gear oil in the diffs and I have 95,000 miles on her with no issues. I will be switching to Mobil synthetic gear oil for the next change and start replacing it at longer intervals (like 90k miles)
 
Yeah, I'm very surprised to hear that. I know that 4th gen 4x4's don't come with LSD's in the axles. I wonder if they're refering to the transfer case that uses the Torsen locking/ limited slip center diff.? I know when I changed all my gear oils to Amsoil Severe gear I noticed mine was smoother while making tight turns on blacktop.
 
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After hearing these comments, I went back "had to have the alignment rechecked", and asked the tech about putting the additive in the rear diff. He said "that is the only one that has the clutch packs", he also said the best additive to use is GM's, as Toyota doesn't actually make their own.

But, after talking with him a little bit more and asking him what that x button on the left of the wheel does in conjuction to the H4 L4 switch I have "only those two choices", he informed me the x button is my 4x4 button, and the truck isn't in 4x4 until that button is pushed. I was confused and said "then what's with the H4 setting, why not a H2 in this truck?", at which he said he doesn't know why Toyota doesn't just say H2 instead of H4, as it's not in 4x4 mode on the H4 setting.....

so take the advice with a grain of salt.... my 1st and last trip to the dealer. I'm reverting back to my way, which is the way that restored my old LS400 to new levels.
 
"so take the advice with a grain of salt.... my 1st and last trip to the dealer."

Definitely a grain of salt is necessary. It sounds like the tech may know his GM
 
nc211 said:
After hearing these comments, I went back "had to have the alignment rechecked", and asked the tech about putting the additive in the rear diff. He said "that is the only one that has the clutch packs", he also said the best additive to use is GM's, as Toyota doesn't actually make their own.

But, after talking with him a little bit more and asking him what that x button on the left of the wheel does in conjuction to the H4 L4 switch I have "only those two choices", he informed me the x button is my 4x4 button, and the truck isn't in 4x4 until that button is pushed. I was confused and said "then what's with the H4 setting, why not a H2 in this truck?", at which he said he doesn't know why Toyota doesn't just say H2 instead of H4, as it's not in 4x4 mode on the H4 setting.....

so take the advice with a grain of salt.... my 1st and last trip to the dealer. I'm reverting back to my way, which is the way that restored my old LS400 to new levels.
Click to expand...

NC211,

The tech was not from Fred Anderson in Raleigh was he??? I hope not because I get things done there now and then since I work near by. I also bought my 08 there.
 
No, it was the one in Durham, you know which one... MJ

Don't go there, stick with Fred Anderson, they're 150% better, across the board. I use to go there to buy parts for my Lexus LS400, and will be taking the 4runner there in the future, if it's ever needed. Stay away from MJ in Durham, they're no good, period. I've heard horror stories of last minute bait n' switches on interest rates for buying cars. Telling girls that have steller credit and know a thing or two about financing, that there is ONLY ONE interest rate..10%. Only one, take it or leave it. I even heard a story of them actually going to pick up a girl at her house, brought her to the dealership, she was going to buy a new Camry, and the guy tried to stick her with some outrageous interest rate, used the "there is only one interest rate". She refused the deal, and they refused to run her back to her house. Pretty much told her to either buy the car, or walk home.
 
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nc211 said:
She refused the deal, and they refused to run her back to her house. Pretty much told her to either buy the car, or walk home.
Click to expand...

Should've asked for "one more test drive" and gone to her house! :)
 
Anything else? Please comment!

Sorry for bringing this back from the dead! But, I am going to change the rear diff next oil change. I picked up three quarts of Mobil 1 75W-90. I have 2WD and only have the rear diff. According to others, NO additive is needed. Correct?
 
Re: Anything else? Please comment!

spo0587 said:
Sorry for bringing this back from the dead! But, I am going to change the rear diff next oil change. I picked up three quarts of Mobil 1 75W-90. I have 2WD and only have the rear diff. According to others, NO additive is needed. Correct?
Click to expand...
Correct.
 
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