Differential and Transfer Case Fluid Change
#226
yes @Acrad Looks like MOC products also have a range of fluid exchange machines which dealers might use to perform differentials, power steering, brake and coolant fluid services.
Is there any visual way to just look the TC fluid to determine if its a dedicated TC fluid or differential fluid? I can use a syringe with a flex hose to go in via the fill bolt and extract a small sample.
Is there any visual way to just look the TC fluid to determine if its a dedicated TC fluid or differential fluid? I can use a syringe with a flex hose to go in via the fill bolt and extract a small sample.
#227
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
The transfer case fluid (OEM) seemed noticeably thinner to me than the diff fluids.
#228
just to have a peace of mind and with an upcoming 3K mile trip, I will go ahead and change the TC and Diffs oil.
I did chat with Ravenol customer service on the TC oil, and they did confirm it has the same SAE 75W specs as the Toyota 75W.
Ordered the Ravenol MTF3 - 75W for TC and MTF1-75W-85 GL5 for the diffs through their US distributor Blauparts. They are having some black friday sale going on now and is priced around $13 per quart, much cheaper than in Amazon.
The below article on their MTF1-75W-85 fluid for diffs has really good info.
https://www.blauparts.com/blog/why-m...ntials%20.html
TC SAE75W
Diff 75w-85
@Acrad I will keep you posted on what oil I find while draining the TC and if its different from the diff oil, I'm curious to see if the dealer has honestly used a dedicated TC fluid or not.
I did chat with Ravenol customer service on the TC oil, and they did confirm it has the same SAE 75W specs as the Toyota 75W.
Ordered the Ravenol MTF3 - 75W for TC and MTF1-75W-85 GL5 for the diffs through their US distributor Blauparts. They are having some black friday sale going on now and is priced around $13 per quart, much cheaper than in Amazon.
The below article on their MTF1-75W-85 fluid for diffs has really good info.
https://www.blauparts.com/blog/why-m...ntials%20.html
TC SAE75W
Diff 75w-85
@Acrad I will keep you posted on what oil I find while draining the TC and if its different from the diff oil, I'm curious to see if the dealer has honestly used a dedicated TC fluid or not.
#229
Got the Ravenol TC (75W) and Diff fluids (75W-85) delivered over the weekend and got the fluids replaced.
Transfer Case and the Rear Diff was a breeze, was able to replace them in under 10 min.. Front Diff was little challenging.
Ravenol bottles have these cool extendible spouts and you can directly pour into the transfer case or the diffs without any fluid pump.
Transfer Case
old TC fluid
Rear Diff
Old Rear diff fluid
@Acrad I did find that the TC fluid was more flowy and less viscous than the Diff fluid, looks like the dealer in the 4X4 service did use dedicated TC fluid on the TC
Both the front and rear diff fluids were super nasty and were thick black, good that I replaced it.
The TC fluid did seem to be in a good shape, still have a slight golden tint to it and could have easily lasted few more thousand miles.
I did remove the spare tire so that I can pour in the fluid directly from the bottle instead of using a hand pump.
The skid plate under the front diff has a hook which goes into the cross member when we loosen the 4 12 mm bolts, which was easy to remove and install back without hurting your back.
Transfer Case and the Rear Diff was a breeze, was able to replace them in under 10 min.. Front Diff was little challenging.
Ravenol bottles have these cool extendible spouts and you can directly pour into the transfer case or the diffs without any fluid pump.
Transfer Case
old TC fluid
Rear Diff
Old Rear diff fluid
@Acrad I did find that the TC fluid was more flowy and less viscous than the Diff fluid, looks like the dealer in the 4X4 service did use dedicated TC fluid on the TC
Both the front and rear diff fluids were super nasty and were thick black, good that I replaced it.
The TC fluid did seem to be in a good shape, still have a slight golden tint to it and could have easily lasted few more thousand miles.
I did remove the spare tire so that I can pour in the fluid directly from the bottle instead of using a hand pump.
The skid plate under the front diff has a hook which goes into the cross member when we loosen the 4 12 mm bolts, which was easy to remove and install back without hurting your back.
The following 4 users liked this post by nuclearn8:
#232
Driver School Candidate
2010 Transfer Case Fluid
Hello All, I'm going to be replacing fluid in my diffs and transfer case in my 2010 with 77k miles. I'm not sure what has been done before I have owned it (purchased at 68k miles). From reading/researching, I'm good on diff fluid (plan on using amsoil 75w90 severe gear) but still confused on the transfer case. There was some discussion that the TC's were changed in 2014+, requiring the 75w fluid. My owners manual states the same. Should I just bite the bullet, spend like $80 more and buy the liquid gold from the manufacturer or is the Ravenol 75w a viable option?
#233
Driver School Candidate
Anyone had their front diff drain plug seize up? Fill plug loosened up fine with a breaker bar but couldn't get the drain plug to budge. California truck so a bit surprised. Last front diff oil service was ~8 yrs / 100k mi ago according to previous owner's service records. No luck with penetrating fluid and impact wrench. After several attempts, the hex head is starting to strip.
Ordered a hex head extractor set and an OEM plug... we'll see how that goes.
A bit hesitant to use the OEM part again though as it seems like a shortcoming with the 10mm female hex. This appears to be a common issue in 4unner/tacoma forums and 90341-24016 has been a popular replacement part which provides a 14mm nut instead of the 10mm female hex. Not sure if it fits GX. Curious if others have tried it out.
Ordered a hex head extractor set and an OEM plug... we'll see how that goes.
A bit hesitant to use the OEM part again though as it seems like a shortcoming with the 10mm female hex. This appears to be a common issue in 4unner/tacoma forums and 90341-24016 has been a popular replacement part which provides a 14mm nut instead of the 10mm female hex. Not sure if it fits GX. Curious if others have tried it out.
#235
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
Mine was not seized up or damaged but I converted to this 24mm. Remember... this is AUD pricing. As of current date $1 USD = $1.29 AUD
https://www.kaon.com.au/diff-front-d...-hilux-kun26-p
They also sell an extraction tool here
https://www.kaon.com.au/diff-drain-p...t-toyota-hilux
or both
https://www.kaon.com.au/front-diff-t...to-suit-toyota
https://www.kaon.com.au/diff-front-d...-hilux-kun26-p
They also sell an extraction tool here
https://www.kaon.com.au/diff-drain-p...t-toyota-hilux
or both
https://www.kaon.com.au/front-diff-t...to-suit-toyota
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nuclearn8 (02-14-21)
#236
Racer
You do this once every 5-7 years or so, go for Toyota fluid. You spend more on coffee or beers in 7 years. 😂
You need 1.5quart. Maybe check with local gx owners and see if two can split 3 cans.
You need 1.5quart. Maybe check with local gx owners and see if two can split 3 cans.
#237
Pole Position
The Ravenol is an excellent substitute for the "Golden Toyota Fluid"
RAVENOL J1C1003 SAE 75W Manual Transmission Fluid - MTF-3 Full Synthetic - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QPCL7ZE/
#238
Instructor
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: VA via TX, PA, FL, and SC
Posts: 1,021
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When I did this last year, I bit the bullet and spent the $130'ish to get 2 cans of the toyota golden fluid, the opener and a hand pump, just a personal preference....
I see nothing wrong with using the ravenol fluidand it comes with the built in pouring spout so definitely more convenient and less expensive.
I merely figured if I was willing to spend more on Amsoil for the differentials, I had a hard time justifying not spending more for the toyota oem fluid for the diff.....
I believe either fluid is more than sufficient to do the job
I see nothing wrong with using the ravenol fluidand it comes with the built in pouring spout so definitely more convenient and less expensive.
I merely figured if I was willing to spend more on Amsoil for the differentials, I had a hard time justifying not spending more for the toyota oem fluid for the diff.....
I believe either fluid is more than sufficient to do the job
#239
Pole Position
Given that dealerships are using 75w90 in the transfer cases when they change the fluids, I would have zero hesitation using the Ravenol in lieu of Toyota fluid.
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Rick111 (07-03-22)
#240
Pole Position
Agree. For the engine, most dealers use "mystery motor oil" out of a 55-gallon drum hidden in the back room that is pumped thru a delivery system to the workstation ... and then charge the customer Toyota branded product pricing. Why not ... the vehicle only needs to last thru the warranty period as far as the dealer is concerned, with the customer having no clue as to the difference.
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WRD4chano (02-15-21)