Rear differential fluid change took more oil.

[akhero]

So today i replaced my rear diff fluid in my 07 4Runner 4x4. I parked in my garage which is pretty flat drained the old fluid out which was very dirty.

I refilled it to the point where the oil just started to come out it took almost 4qt of oil.

I thought only takes 3+ qt

I turned the car around and put it back in the garage took the fill plug off but the oil slowly was coming out so the level was pretty good.

The old oil that came out I poured into a 1gal but it was less than a gal.

Wonder why it took more oil.

PS : I don't know if this has anything to do with it but my suspension on the 4runner will be replaced with new the front is 3" lower than the back
Could that cause the car to tilt forward and that is why the oil level changed?

 

[rdruss]

3+ quarts is 4- quarts, less than a gallon is 3+ quarts. What's your concern?

 

[aemravan]

yea.. everything sounds pretty on-point.. don't see anything to be concerned over..

 

[NCHornet]

If it's sitting fairly level you have the correct amount of fluid in it. The fact that you drain less out than what you put in simply means it was low on diff oil. Whether that was from a past leak, prior maintenance not performed correctly or......................, doesn't matter much now. What is important is that it is at the right level now. I hope that you inspected the diff breather and replaced it if it was needed.
NCH

 

[Reinout]

I wouldn't lose sleep over the differences in fluids: it could have been over-filled to start (filled on a decline).

I'd only worry if I found a bunch of glitter in the oil.