Do i really need to change my differential oil?

I did mine @60-70k, replaced with Amsoil. Decided @ 144k to go ahead and change it again, was probably over due. Replaced with Mobile-1 and I can really feel the difference!

Of course my GF works at a Toyota dealership, so my service is downright cheap.

Have a friend who spends ZERO money on PM on his 4Runner... He has probably spent more money (excluding that face that I'm now getting a deal) on replacing stuff than I have on just PM'ing my truck...and other than a cracked top dash, everything on my 4R is perfect. Even the tech's were impressed when they did an inspection after doing the diffs/tc.
 
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i was looking more at the website for the service intervals. i have a dumb question:

Is there any difference between the limited-slip differential oil and the rear differential oil? or they share the same tank? the top section where it lists necessary change says limited-slip differential but at the bottom when it's driving while towing says front, rear differential oil and transfer case.

i'm asking all this is because i'm pretty paranoid and i'm trying to decide if it's okay to keep driving my car for another 1000 mile and wait until the oil change to do my differential oil change together or i should go do it tomorrow. i'm at 75K and never done any differential oil change :( i hope my 4wd system doesn't die on my :( :(
 
you can use the same lubricant, Mobil 1 75w90 for rear diff, transfer case and front. i think altogether you need 6-7 quarts (?) but in my case, the rear was the dirtiest. so you might want to start that one first. it's a judgement call you've to make if you want to wait another 1k. why don't you get the oil chg and everything done a bit ahead of time, you aren't saving all that much in oil change just doing it 1k miles later.


tonybaloney said:
i was looking more at the website for the service intervals. i have a dumb question:

Is there any difference between the limited-slip differential oil and the rear differential oil? or they share the same tank? the top section where it lists necessary change says limited-slip differential but at the bottom when it's driving while towing says front, rear differential oil and transfer case.

i'm asking all this is because i'm pretty paranoid and i'm trying to decide if it's okay to keep driving my car for another 1000 mile and wait until the oil change to do my differential oil change together or i should go do it tomorrow. i'm at 75K and never done any differential oil change :( i hope my 4wd system doesn't die on my :( :(
Click to expand...
 
tonybaloney said:
i was looking more at the website for the service intervals. i have a dumb question:

Is there any difference between the limited-slip differential oil and the rear differential oil? or they share the same tank? the top section where it lists necessary change says limited-slip differential but at the bottom when it's driving while towing says front, rear differential oil and transfer case.

i'm asking all this is because i'm pretty paranoid and i'm trying to decide if it's okay to keep driving my car for another 1000 mile and wait until the oil change to do my differential oil change together or i should go do it tomorrow. i'm at 75K and never done any differential oil change :( i hope my 4wd system doesn't die on my :( :(
Click to expand...

Well, I know what you mean about being paranoid. I do my share of water crossings every wheeling season and I saw this Aussie video on you tube about the diff breathers..So I changed my rear diff oil at 30 and 45K...This last time, I was standing there when the tech drained the diff oil and it looked brand new....Toyota recommends every 30, 60 and then you don't have to do it again until 120K (i am pretty sure but do your own homework).

I would not go much beyond 60 without changing it. I did my rear diff at 30 the first time, it was pretty dirty. Spark plugs are also supposed to be changed at 30K. I just did the front diffs at 47k and they were black, Did the transfer case at 47 also and it had little metal shavings...not so good. Seemed to be ok when I just traded it in for the 4runner..

I watched the tech do it last time and thought what an idiot for not doing it myself. All you do is open the drain plug and open the fill plug..When it is all drained out you replace the drain plug and fill until the oil starts spilling out of the fill plug, close it up and you are done.
 
MICA4R said:
can someone help me figure out with oil to use and why? these are the 2 options....
Which one to use 75W-140? and why?
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...S_75W-140.aspx
-VS-
75W-90?
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...LS_75W-90.aspx
Click to expand...

The second one. Because here's what the manual says:

TRANSFER
Oil type:
Hypoid gear oil API GL-5
Recommended oil viscosity:
SAE 75W-90
DIFFERENTIAL Oil type:
Hypoid gear oil API GL-5
Recommended oil viscosity:
Front
SAE 75W-90
Rear
Above -18C (0F)
SAE 90
Below -18C (0F)
SAE 80W or 80W-90
 
How important is the torque wrench?

Can I just use my judgement when tightening down the rear diff bolts?
 
there JUST drain/fill bolts........

MICA4R said:
Can I just use my judgement when tightening down the rear diff bolts?
Click to expand...

Sure, why not? That's what I do. ALL they are drain/fill bolts. If it were for spark plugs or if you're replacing a head gasket, then I would agree that torque specs are more important. How many use the torque wrench for the oil drain plug?? Been doing this on cars since forever, NEVER had a problem.

Importance of a torque wrench for this?? Not very IMO.
 
I torque my work to specs. Why not? I bought my own torque wrenches, but its worth it to note that you can rent one at autozone. Sometimes they are brand new. It costs 100, but you get it refunded when you return it. I changed mine at 60ish and will be doing so at 90. I genuinely enjoy working on my truck. I just hate spending money.
 
SurferUK said:
Awesome! I want to change all the fluids ASAP after it arrives. Now I don't need to arrange for ramps.

Thank you :surfer:
Click to expand...

My rear differential fill plug was stuck pretty good and there's hardly room to get good leverage unless you use an impact wrench.
I got my rear differential fill plug off with a floor jack. Heat the pumpkin around the fill plug with a blow torch then put a wrench & socket on the fill plug & slde a floor jack under the wrench handle. Use one hand to hold the wrench socket firmly in place while pumping the jack handle with the other hand. That should get it started.
 
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Hunter61 said:
My rear differential fill plug was stuck pretty good and there's hardly room to get good leverage unless you use an impact wrench.
I got my rear differential fill plug off with a floor jack. Put a wrench & socket on the fill plug & slde a floor jack under the wrench handle. Use one hand to hold the wrench socket firmly in place while pumping the jack handle with the other hand. That should get it started.
Click to expand...

Thanks mate, I do have a little 'rattle gun' but in case it's not up to the job that's a good tip :thumb:
 
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