Do i really need to change my differential oil?

T

tonybaloney

New member
Hi Guys,

I have about 75K on my runner and i've been doing minimal but regular maintenance to keep the truck in good shape. I say minimal because it's one of the perks i really enjoy about the runner. it's a low maintenance car. I've just been doing the oil change, shaft re-torque, shaft lubing, engine/oil filter change and spark plug change (v6). I'll do my coolant and transmission at 100k.

my question is, do i really need to change my differential oil? i don't tow anything.

also let me know if you think i need to do anything else other than the things i listed above. thanks!
 
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I would change fluids in the diffs and transfer case. Mine doesn't even have a trailer hitch, but the diff fluid was "dirty" when I changed it at about 68k. Also, inspect the accessory drive belt, brakes, and CV boots. After that... wash, wax, and enjoy!

:lookout:

~Doozi
 
tonybaloney said:
my question is, do i really need to change my differential oil? i don't tow anything. thanks!
Click to expand...

Yes, your diff is constantly in use. It's the part (transfer/tranny/engine) most likely to be very dirty even if you don't tow. All it is a drain and fill plug. No brainer.....takes 5 minutes!

Ed
 
thanks guys! i'll get it done next time my car is in the shop. i'm over the days of changing my own oil since i don't have a garage anymore after i moved from tx to ca. i guess i'll be doing transmission oil, coolant and differential oil all together. am i forgetting anything?
 
If you're doin' all those, you might want to do power steering and brake (unless brake was changed recently) fluids.
 
I changed both diffs and transfer case to synthetic last year. Noticed a slight increase in mpg. Took about 2 hrs to do all three. Sure is nice having drain and fill plugs!!
 
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for some reason i thought the v6s have a sealed transmission...only dealers can pressure flush/fill them. i know the diffs are easy just knocked them out and oil last weekend. All full synthetic, piece of mind...
 
tonybaloney said:
I've just been doing... shaft re-torque
Click to expand...

what is a shaft re-torque. sorry for being a n00b on this one. haven't heard of this or know what it is.

Jeff T said:
Noticed a slight increase in mpg. Took about 2 hrs to do all three.
Click to expand...

did you change the "crush washers?"

did you use a specific torque wrench? what does 36lbs of torque feel like with a standard craftsman?

-thanks for your help
 
i put amsoil 75w90 in all three (front diff, center, and rear) and noticed an instant +1 MPG.

Do it.:banana:
 
T24TODD said:
for some reason i thought the v6s have a sealed transmission...only dealers can pressure flush/fill them. i know the diffs are easy just knocked them out and oil last weekend. All full synthetic, piece of mind...
Click to expand...

We don't really need any special equipment to change the fluid on sealed transmission other than our "super secret" hand pump...

You drain and refill it by pumping the fluid into it, now checking it is a little more technical as it requires you to get the transmission to a certain temperature and then checking the fluid flow through a test drain. But if you read up on the procedure you could pretty much do it yourself.
 
tonybaloney said:
thanks guys! i'll get it done next time my car is in the shop. i'm over the days of changing my own oil since i don't have a garage anymore after i moved from tx to ca. i guess i'll be doing transmission oil, coolant and differential oil all together. am i forgetting anything?
Click to expand...

You might want to reconsider doing it yourself when they tell you how much they will charge.

The synthetic oil used is super spendy..

You need to do the rear diff and fronts as reccomended by Toyota. Also transfer case should be done after 45k (I think). I called the dealership today. They do all 3 during the 30k service.
 
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riverider said:
For one I would like someone who has posted that they had found their Diff. fluids as being dirty, to tell me how they knew the fluid was really dirty.

Is it just a change in it's color? Does one assume that the gearing is so misaligned that the units are full of metal mixed with the fluid?

If the Diff.s are sealed except the vents, unless someone drives into water above the vent, what gets inside them?
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That would be ME. I said my diff oil was dirty as in: was a darker color than the front diff and transfer case. Of course it was, after 75K miles (at the time), my guess is that it would be. Since I've had this truck, its never been in 4wd mode which explains why the difference in color. She stays in 2hi 99.9% of the time.

Even if it's sealed, the oil is going to break down. I did see some very tiny "shiny" flakes in the oil, but she ran just fine. All this is normal..... Preventive maintenance is always a good idea (whether it is a Honda or a Land Rover).
 
last year my 05 v6 4wd made noise from rear diff at approx 100k miles. a bearing in there was replaced to fix that. i'd not have diff oil service before that - not sure if it'd have made a difference. costly repair.
 
tcpoob said:
last year my 05 v6 4wd made noise from rear diff at approx 100k miles. a bearing in there was replaced to fix that. i'd not have diff oil service before that - not sure if it'd have made a difference. costly repair.
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No doubt, the diff "ate itself". I didn't think the interval was so short!! Hmmm, anyway, it's so easy to do (easier than changing the engine oil IMO)
Toyota Parts and Service

Diffs: every 30K. Love it.
 
this is the link i use to decide what to change and what not to change since it's straight from toyota. Toyota Parts and Service

i don't see it telling us to change the differential oil or mess with the transfer case so that's why i never did it. i think i'll still do it for peace of mind. i'm guessing i can probably do everything for around $300. it'll have to be over that for me to consider doing it myself since i don't have any of the tools :(
 
tonybaloney said:
this is the link i use to decide what to change and what not to change since it's straight from toyota. Toyota Parts and Service

i don't see it telling us to change the differential oil or mess with the transfer case so that's why i never did it. i think i'll still do it for peace of mind. i'm guessing i can probably do everything for around $300. it'll have to be over that for me to consider doing it myself since i don't have any of the tools :(
Click to expand...

Why don't you take the $300 you are planning to give to a mechanic and buy everything you need (gear oil, any sockets/ratchets you need, a cheap gear oil pump, an oil drain pan, and all of the crush washers)? Then you'll have all the tools (for next time) and an extra $150 or so left over so you can treat yourself or your 4Runner to something nice!

You might have to spend a Saturday morning doing a little bit of work, but well worth it IMO.
 
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tonybaloney said:
this is the link i use to decide what to change and what not to change since it's straight from toyota. Toyota Parts and Service

i don't see it telling us to change the differential oil or mess with the transfer case so that's why i never did it. i think i'll still do it for peace of mind. i'm guessing i can probably do everything for around $300. it'll have to be over that for me to consider doing it myself since i don't have any of the tools :(
Click to expand...

My first link was for 30Kmiles under "special driving conditions". Again at 60Kmiles, it says to inspect it again. It's a good rule of thumb to replace the front/rear diffs and TC every 30Kmiles. I think you can get away at every 60Kmiles. Anyway, to charge $300 to drain/fill these 3 items seems like a lot, but nevertheless it does need to be changed.
 
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