shavings/sludge in differential fluid!

[NJI]

Changed my differential fluid and turned out it was black with sludge and metal shavings. I don't think it has ever been changed and my 4Runner just broke 250,000 miles. Should I change it again soon, do Auto-RX treatment, etc?

 

[02SE]

There are always some metal shavings on the magnetic drain plug, and gear oil is pretty thick compared to engine oil.

I would just change it with new gear oil, and go from there. And clean off the magnet on the drain plug before you re-install it.

It may have been changed before, if you aren't the original owner.

My best advice is, don't worry about things until you know there is a problem.

 

[NJI]

Thanks!

The prick at the service shop showed me the plugged and acted like it was the worst thing he'd ever saw. I thought i was beating on my truck and the rear-diff was going to go out or something! He even said, "looks like it has sludge". But now that I think about it it was just thicker.

 

[Kanab]

Just change it again in around 10K miles and then every 15K miles from now on.

 

[EDGE]

The service monkeys have notin better to do then act like morons and make you think your truck is dieing if you don't constantly change and replace everything they recommend