Proper way to maintain/lubricate 4WD

[krravi]

I have a 07 Toyota 4Runner 4WD. As per the manual, i engage 4WD HI once a month and keep it lubed.

I am wondering if engaging HI will lube the LO gears and the differential as well.

Secondly, i have reached 53k and wondering what fluids need replacement.

I am aware of the front and rear differentials. Just curious, if there is a separate oil change needed for the transfer case or does the transmission or engine oil take care of that?

 

[Doozi]

I'm pretty sure that the gears are all lubricated together... H4 and L4. The main reason to engage H4 and L4 on a regular basis is to keep the actuators exercised. Also, locking and unlocking the center diff is recommended for the same reason.

The transfer case fluid is independent of the transmission fluid. I changed my transfer case and diffs to synthetic at about 68k miles. Toyota says that the tranny fluid (WS-type) is good for 100k miles, but there has been a lot of discussion about not letting it go that far... I plan to change my tranny fluid within the next couple of months which will be at around 75k with no towing at all.

~Doozi

 

[brettmc]

What's the plan on getting the old fluid out of the torque converter for the DIYers?

 

[ALLEGRO]

Cycling is for the accuators.

I changed all the cases to synthetic at 50K. Not a bad job at all.

The only way to quickly change the tranny fluid is to do a flush. I seem to remember a post where you tie into the tranny cooler to flush the system. Obviously this is not a complete drain and refill, but it should more than meet the need of a fluid change.

I plan on getting this done in the spring.....probably about 70K

 

[krravi]

Do you mind sharing what brand and grade of synthetic used for the transfer case and the differentials?

 

[sonerick]

I used Mobil 1 75W-90 for all three when I did mine. Quiet and smooth ever since...

 

[Doozi]

+1 on the Mobil 1.

 

[audiness]

I put Amsoil Severe Gear 75w90 in front diff, transfer case, and rear diff at 80k.


The front diff fluid was VERY dirty. The transfer case oil was slightly dirty, rear diff was pretty clean looking. I noticed a nice improvement in smoothness and about +1 MPG in fuel mileage.

 

[JB.]

I put Amsoil Severe Gear 75w90 in front diff, transfer case, and rear diff at 80k.


The front diff fluid was VERY dirty. The transfer case oil was slightly dirty, rear diff was pretty clean looking. I noticed a nice improvement in smoothness and about +1 MPG in fuel mileage.

Did you buy the vehicle new? That is the first instance I've heard of where the front diff oil was dirtier than the rear in an equivelent comparison.

 

[cdn87]

Cycling is for the accuators.

I changed all the cases to synthetic at 50K. Not a bad job at all.

The only way to quickly change the tranny fluid is to do a flush. I seem to remember a post where you tie into the tranny cooler to flush the system. Obviously this is not a complete drain and refill, but it should more than meet the need of a fluid change.

I plan on getting this done in the spring.....probably about 70K

I'm new to Toyota's and more specifically 4Runners, but not 4wd SUV's, or Auto Tranny's. I'm not sure what sort of discussions have been had here on flushing the Transmission but I have always known it to be a big no no as it puts unnecessary pressure on the internals and if there are build ups of deposits in certain area's, since transmission fluid only moves one way in its own operation, doing a flushing (assuming its pushing fluid through in the opposite direction or even the same direction with more force than normal operation) will dislodge these buildups and create blockages internally.

I used to own a Ford Explorer and time and time again the members on the forum I frequented that would get a flush done would see their tranny fail within 15-20,000 miles.

As I said before I'm no expert however I would hope it is a recommended service by Toyota rather than just a quick way to change over the fluid.

 

[bigseth74]

I'm pretty sure that the gears are all lubricated together... H4 and L4. The main reason to engage H4 and L4 on a regular basis is to keep the actuators exercised. Also, locking and unlocking the center diff is recommended for the same reason.

The transfer case fluid is independent of the transmission fluid. I changed my transfer case and diffs to synthetic at about 68k miles. Toyota says that the tranny fluid (WS-type) is good for 100k miles, but there has been a lot of discussion about not letting it go that far... I plan to change my tranny fluid within the next couple of months which will be at around 75k with no towing at all.

~Doozi

How long should you drive around in 4LO/with the differentials on or off to exercise the acuators? I just bought my 4runner and this is my first SUV so im new to all this.

 

[krravi]

I'm new to Toyota's and more specifically 4Runners, but not 4wd SUV's, or Auto Tranny's. I'm not sure what sort of discussions have been had here on flushing the Transmission but I have always known it to be a big no no as it puts unnecessary pressure on the internals and if there are build ups of deposits in certain area's, since transmission fluid only moves one way in its own operation, doing a flushing (assuming its pushing fluid through in the opposite direction or even the same direction with more force than normal operation) will dislodge these buildups and create blockages internally.

I used to own a Ford Explorer and time and time again the members on the forum I frequented that would get a flush done would see their tranny fail within 15-20,000 miles.

As I said before I'm no expert however I would hope it is a recommended service by Toyota rather than just a quick way to change over the fluid.

I had an Acura TL. I replaced the transmission fluid and lo and behold the transmission failed in 2000 miles. It was done at the dealer.

 

[Doozi]

How long should you drive around in 4LO/with the differentials on or off to exercise the acuators? I just bought my 4runner and this is my first SUV so im new to all this.

Just cycling the switch and letting the system tell you it's engaged (solid light) is exercising the actuators. As long as you are doing your 10-20 miles per month in H4, you're lubricating the front drive parts. I do L4 and H4 with the diff locked on a sandy dirt road (about 4.5 miles long) that's not far from my house mainly because it's fun!

Sometimes, if I don't feel like getting the Runner dirty, I'll cycle the switches in the driveway.

~Doozi