DIY Rear/Front Differential fluid change.

[ichrisi88]

I changed my differential fluid today. I decided to do a write up because someone asked me about it.

I purchased (4) 75-90 Royal Purple diff fluid from autozone for 18.99 a bottle. You can use another brand if you like. Refer to your owners manual for the correct fluid. The rear diff used approx 3 3/4 bottles. If you have a limited slip make sure the fluid used will work with a limited slip or purchase an additive and put this in first before filling.

You will need a 24mm socket and ratchet. My truck sits pretty high so I can easily fit underneath w/o lifting the vehicle. The truck must be level in order to properly fill the diffs to correct level. First break loose the bottom differential drain bolt loose and place a oil drain bucket underneath. Remove the drain bolt and make sure not to lose the washer attached. Make sure to clean the drain bolt with a rag to remove all the metal shavings attached to magnet. Then remove top fill bolt to allow the fluid drain faster.

After all the fluid has drained, reinstall the drain bolt and tighten. Don't forget to put the washer on. Cut the caps off the fluid bottles and fill the diff until fluid comes out. I usually let it pour out a bit and reinstall the fill bolt. Clean with some parts cleaner and your done. If you need a video for the rear diff pm me your email and I'll send you a video.

The last picture shown is the front diff. The upper bolt is the fill plug and the one below to left of my hand is the drain plug. You may need a pump to easily pump fluid in. The front diff is basically the same procedure above, but you will need an Allen socket. Be careful not to over tighten the front aluminum diff bolts because you can easily crack the housing.

[Powertechn2]

the only thing you forgot...

drive first to get it warm and any metallic debris or dirt/moisture mixed up, just like an oil change, or lovin, better when she's warm

[Calbar]

The other thing I like to do is remove the fill plug first to make sure I can get it out before draining the fluid. Wouldn't want all that fluid drained out and not be able to get the full plug out.

Great write up though

[OkSlim]

Originally Posted by Calbar

The other thing I like to do is remove the fill plug first to make sure I can get it out before draining the fluid. Wouldn't want all that fluid drained out and not be able to get the full plug out.

Great write up though

Very good point. Happened to me one time. Socket broke before the plug broke loose.

[Toxarch]

That's some dark fluid coming out the rear diff. How many miles did you have on the truck? I lift the driver's side of the axle to get the little bit of fluid in the bottom of the pumpkin out. You forgot to add the torque specs for the bolts. Also, the transfer case uses the same oil so you can change it at the same time. You will need a pump or long hose to do the front diff and the transfer case.

7.4 quarts total for my 4x4 truck.
Torque specs:
Front differential: 29 ft/lb
Transfer case: 27 ft/lb
rear differential: 36 ft/lb

[ichrisi88]

Originally Posted by Toxarch

That's some dark fluid coming out the rear diff. How many miles did you have on the truck? I lift the driver's side of the axle to get the little bit of fluid in the bottom of the pumpkin out. You forgot to add the torque specs for the bolts. Also, the transfer case uses the same oil so you can change it at the same time. You will need a pump or long hose to do the front diff and the transfer case.

7.4 quarts total for my 4x4 truck.
Torque specs:
Front differential: 29 ft/lb
Transfer case: 27 ft/lb
rear differential: 36 ft/lb

My truck only has 17k miles. Thanks for adding things i forgot especially the torque specs. The transfer case is the same process also.

[TundraRW]

Originally Posted by ichrisi88

I changed my differential fluid today. I decided to do a write up because someone asked me about it.

I purchased (4) 75-90 Royal Purple diff fluid from autozone for 18.99 a bottle. You can use another brand if you like. Refer to your owners manual for the correct fluid. The rear diff used approx 3 3/4 bottles. If you have a limited slip make sure the fluid used will work with a limited slip or purchase an additive and put this in first before filling.

You will need a 24mm socket and ratchet. My truck sits pretty high so I can easily fit underneath w/o lifting the vehicle. The truck must be level in order to properly fill the diffs to correct level. First break loose the bottom differential drain bolt loose and place a oil drain bucket underneath. Remove the drain bolt and make sure not to lose the washer attached. Make sure to clean the drain bolt with a rag to remove all the metal shavings attached to magnet. Then remove top fill bolt to allow the fluid drain faster.

After all the fluid has drained, reinstall the drain bolt and tighten. Don't forget to put the washer on. Cut the caps off the fluid bottles and fill the diff until fluid comes out. I usually let it pour out a bit and reinstall the fill bolt. Clean with some parts cleaner and your done. If you need a video for the rear diff pm me your email and I'll send you a video.

The last picture shown is the front diff. The upper bolt is the fill plug and the one below to left of my hand is the drain plug. You may need a pump to easily pump fluid in. The front diff is basically the same procedure above, but you will need an Allen socket. Be careful not to over tighten the front aluminum diff bolts because you can easily crack the housing.

ichrisi88, when is the first recommended oil change for front/rear diff?

[Chris G]

Originally Posted by Toxarch

That's some dark fluid coming out the rear diff. How many miles did you have on the truck? I lift the driver's side of the axle to get the little bit of fluid in the bottom of the pumpkin out. You forgot to add the torque specs for the bolts. Also, the transfer case uses the same oil so you can change it at the same time. You will need a pump or long hose to do the front diff and the transfer case.

7.4 quarts total for my 4x4 truck.
Torque specs:
Front differential: 29 ft/lb
Transfer case: 27 ft/lb
rear differential: 36 ft/lb

Toxarch: how often do you change your front/rear diff and transfer case oil? I know what the manual says but I didn't know if you did things less/more than the manual says

[ichrisi88]

Originally Posted by TundraRW

ichrisi88, when is the first recommended oil change for front/rear diff?

I believe the manual says around 15k if you are towing. At the dealership we used to changed them every 30k.(transfer case,front/rear diff)

[Toxarch]

Dealer did it at 15K, supposedly. I changed just before 30K and put in Mobil 1. Probably do at least the rear again at 45K. Maybe all 3 depending on how the rear oil looks. It's not too expensive.

[Chris G]

So the rear diff holds 3 3/4 of the gear oil bottles. How many do the front diff and transfer case hold?

[fpdsniper]

subscribed

[Toxarch]

Originally Posted by Chris G

So the rear diff holds 3 3/4 of the gear oil bottles. How many do the front diff and transfer case hold?

07 Tundra CAPACITIES:
Engine, with filter..........7.4 quarts [1]
Cooling System, With Tow Package Initial Fill..........13.8 quarts
Cooling System, Without Tow Package Initial Fill..........12.8 quarts
Automatic Transmission, AB60F Initial Fill..........3.2 quarts
Automatic Transmission, A750E Initial Fill..........3.2 quarts
Automatic Transmission, A750F Initial Fill..........3.2 quarts
Automatic Transmission, AB60E Initial Fill..........3.2 quarts
Automatic Transmission, Total Fill
5 speed A750E..........11 quarts
5 speed A750F..........11 quarts
6 speed AB60E..........11 quarts
6 speed AB60F..........11 quarts
Differential, Front..........4.5 pints
Differential, Crew cab 2WD Rear..........7.9 pints
Differential, Crew cab 4WD Rear..........7.7 pints
Differential, Double cab Lon Rear..........7.9 pints
Differential, Double cab std Rear..........7.7 pints
Differential, Regcab Long bed Rear..........7.7 pints
Differential, Regcab std bed Rear..........7.2 pints
Transfer Case, ..........2.4 pints


Converting pints to quarts means 7.4 quarts total for my 4x4 truck's diffs and transfer case. Why is there a difference in 2WD and 4WD and long/short bed? I have no clue. I pulled those off of Toyota's manual. Just fill till it's full, drive it a bit, and then check it again to make sure it's full.

Just an FYI, newer 5.7L engines take an extra half quart of oil in the engine.

[Powertechn2]

thx.


and to those that just wanna do front diff and tcase at same time for the helluvit,
i changed last vehicle at 18-20k, it was an fj... diff was darkish, tcase was new lookin, and front diff was also near new lookiin...


after than i planned on changing the rear diff at 40ish k, the tcase woulda been good til at least 60-80k, same with the front diff imo, also when i first changed i switched to royal purple..

if at 20 its like new, then at 40 after changing and switching to synthetic, it would still be like new, so i figured it would last double easily, maybe double plus...

jus my figuring, i dont have to use 4x4 much and i dont offroad or crawl much.

[2hot4U]

I think the 24mm drain plug is the same as a 15/16'' socket. Can you tell me what the fill plug size is? Thanks for the great write-up!