differentials oil change question
- Thread starter Bonniem
- Start date
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Well, I like to get the factory fill out after a couple thousand miles, after the ring and pinion have been run in.
I would certainly check the diffs, and T-case for the presence of water, after any water crossing which was deep enough to have those components under water. If running through deep water is frequent, I would extend the diff, and T-case vents.
That said, lots of vehicles go to the scrap yard with the factory-fill still in the diffs, etc.
I would certainly check the diffs, and T-case for the presence of water, after any water crossing which was deep enough to have those components under water. If running through deep water is frequent, I would extend the diff, and T-case vents.
That said, lots of vehicles go to the scrap yard with the factory-fill still in the diffs, etc.
Whippersnapper02
Senior Member
Pull the fill plug and check to see if the fluid is milky. Generally I change my gear and transfer case oil at 30K. However I may just wait until 50K and do it at the same time as the transmission fluid.
mrblah
Senior Member
this!!!
spartacus
Senior Member
If you are thinking about it then it might be good to change it. I drove in a rain storm in Michigan from Detroit to Dearborn on m39 through some really deep stuff under the over passes where the road dips down to accommodate the streets above and it bugged me until I drained and filled the front, rear and transfer case. The old fluid was fine but now I can sleep better.
josephp732
New member
I do the same thing. Get a few thousand miles on a new vehicle then change the front, rear diffs and transfer case fluid. I am always a bit amazed by what's on the magnets after only a few thousand miles. Plus these are easy fluid changes on our 4Runners - cheap insurance.
71gs3504sp
Member
I have changed front/rear axle, transfer case and transmission fluids all at 15k miles and this is my what I saw and recommend.
- Rear axle oil needed to be changed
- Front axle oil was like new
- Transfer case oil was like new
- Transmission oil was light brown
So with all that I would only do the rear axle and transmission pan drain/fill at every 25k mile and the front axle and transfer case at every 50k miles.
Only my 2 cents.
I am sorry but that line "How do I check them for water presence?" beside your profile picture was really funny......
good luck
Gclark949
New member
Totally agree with this. Your rear diff will be very dirty and needs to be changed.
Hammer0313
New member
This is spot on info and exactly what I experienced. I did my rear diff at 2966 miles and I was shocked at how the fluid looked and the amount of metal shavings on the magnet. One thing I would add is swapping the transfer case fluid from factory fluid to a 75-90 weigh gear oil smooth out the overall function of the transfer case.
Frankly I would do it.
With a new vehicle, I would do it before 1000 miles.
And the engine no more than 500 miles.
There is a lot of break in material suspended in the oil while the newly machined metals wear in to each other.
I just received Amsoil synthetic 75W110 GL5 severe duty gear oil for the diffs and Royal Purple Syncromax synthetic GL4 for the transfer case.
Also received the Toyota WS tranny fluid for a complete change.
If worried do an oil analysis, but a change will always help.
With a new vehicle, I would do it before 1000 miles.
And the engine no more than 500 miles.
There is a lot of break in material suspended in the oil while the newly machined metals wear in to each other.
I just received Amsoil synthetic 75W110 GL5 severe duty gear oil for the diffs and Royal Purple Syncromax synthetic GL4 for the transfer case.
Also received the Toyota WS tranny fluid for a complete change.
If worried do an oil analysis, but a change will always help.
Hammer0313
New member
Redline is a fantastic product and highly recommend but I like the easy bags that Amsoil has. No need to pump the oil into the diff or transfer case using a hand pump. With the bag you just squeeze the fluid in and your done. Both are fantastic gear oils.
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Hammer0313
New member
It’s just the name!
