I am using the collapsible amsoil gear oil container.
https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/gear-lube/severe-gear-75w-90/
Front and Rear Diff fluid change
- Thread starter Mijfwb23
- Start date
I am using the collapsible amsoil gear oil container.
https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/gear-lube/severe-gear-75w-90/
2016 4Runner SR5
Senior Member
That's pretty cool. Save the need for a pump.
Just to throw this out there, if anyone is in the Jessup MD area, I have more 5 gallon buckets than i'll ever use and get more almost daily. I run a truck shop, I literally have dozens of buckets that I usually just throw away. Free to anyone in need.
1000MPH
Senior Member
They’re wrong. Look at the answer on the quart size bottle.
I did the rear diff. Pretty easy, actually. Good info I learned here and other places.
1. Pb blaster was used. I assumed it helped.
2. A breaker bar was recommended. Lowes had an 18 inch bar. Good thing I got it. That fill plug was not coming off without it.
3. I just can't figure out how to remove the front panels to get to the front diff. I can fix lab analyzers but bolts on the bottom of a vehicle is another story.
4. The rear drain plug did not have a washer on it. It didn't fall in the tray and it was not smashed on the diff. I check several times. There are no leaks and I used correct torque.
Can someone point me to a diagram for removing the panels? I have to remove both to change the front diff? I searched and could not find it.
Making an appt with someone if I cant do it. I hope the front is not as tight as the rear.
1. Pb blaster was used. I assumed it helped.
2. A breaker bar was recommended. Lowes had an 18 inch bar. Good thing I got it. That fill plug was not coming off without it.
3. I just can't figure out how to remove the front panels to get to the front diff. I can fix lab analyzers but bolts on the bottom of a vehicle is another story.
4. The rear drain plug did not have a washer on it. It didn't fall in the tray and it was not smashed on the diff. I check several times. There are no leaks and I used correct torque.
Can someone point me to a diagram for removing the panels? I have to remove both to change the front diff? I searched and could not find it.
Making an appt with someone if I cant do it. I hope the front is not as tight as the rear.
There are 4 bolts, one in each corner. They are recessed. Look for 4 holes, the bolts will be up inside. In the front there are two skid plates. One towards the front of the vehicle, one towards the transmission. You want to remove the rear one closest to the transmission to get access to front diff. With the bolts out, you'll need to slide it a bit to come off.
I just did the rear diff on my girlfriends 2017 SR5 4WD. The gear oil looked excellent even at 45K miles. No metal pieces/filings to speak of. It took the full 3qts for it to begin to run out the filler hole FWIW. I used the Mobil 1 Synthetic 75W90. And the Amazon little hand pump, worked great.
2016 4Runner SR5
Senior Member
This makes no sense at all. Guys dropping oil at 5K have metal filings and dark colored oil. This includes me at 11K, I wish I did it sooner. What did you find on the magnet? Is she the original owner of the truck?
Aquabear
New member
I just changed my rear diff. 66K now, last changed at about 50K n used Mobil 1. Actually not bad looking, brown but def not black, cleaned magnet. Used Amsoil 75-90 Severe duty, 3 qts, at $17.00 qt not bad insurance for my fast interstate driving. SOOOOOOO much easier to do after my lift n 285 tires installed!!!
Original owner, new truck. Mostly all highway miles. Found very little on the magnet, a couple specks. Nothing like what others have described!
Don't mean to hijack, but bought my 2010 LE with 138,000 , now at 200,000 and dealer would not touch changing tranny fluid unless I signed something saying they were not responsible if tranny issues came up afterwards. Same on front and rear differential. Suggestions?
2016 4Runner SR5
Senior Member
I don't blame them. That's WAY overdue on the tranny and diffs. Very unlikely anything with happen if you service the diffs but personally I think i'd leave the tranny alone. If you're set on servicing the tranny, I would do a pan service only. Absolutely do not flush that transmission unless you're ready to replace it in a couple months if even that long.
pDubs
New member
I would do the diffs and t-case. I wouldn't do the trans.
Here's a video explaining why you probably shouldn't: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctpVCWjd8b4
Here's a video explaining why you probably shouldn't: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctpVCWjd8b4
Thanks for the advice. The guy who had the car before me took good care of it based on condition and records through Toyota, but don't know if he flushed somewhere other than a Toyota dealership. I really want to get 300,000 miles out of this so I guess will keep my fingers crossed until something starts happening. Zero problems to date...I wonder if checking the color of the fluid will tell me anything?
Thanks Pdub, that was very informative vid on how a tranny works and the uh oh factor on changing/not changing the fluid.
2016 4Runner SR5
Senior Member
You can take an oil sample and send it to a place like blackstone. That will tell you the overall condition of the fluid and will give you a hint as to how much wear there is to internal transmission components. You want the oil to be pink or reddish. Once it starts turning brown like a burnt red, it's generally not a good idea to touch it. All the crap in the fluid is actually holding things together. Transmission fluid is a detergent, it cleans things. New oil will clean off any buildup in the transmission and can sometimes lead to failure due to this. Kind of like an engine that was not maintained well and has 200K on it and somehow doesn't burn oil. The grime is actually sealing it up. Now flush it, get all that grime out, and you end up with leaks and oil consumption.
CutthroatSlam
Senior Member
I watched the guy's video. Complete horseshit and he's YouTube clown hero. Correlated observations maybe, but show me research on this theory that crap in the fluid is holding a transmission together. The theory is preposterous.
2016 4Runner SR5
Senior Member
20 years experience is all I need for proof. Let's state some more facts while we're at it. Dealers like any other mechanic or any business for that matter are here to make money right? They will sell you a $30 air freshener and fresh air for your tires if you'll buy it. The fact they refuse to service the transmission should tell you something. The diffs are a different story, not sure what their issue is with that but no harm will come of servicing neglected diffs.
