bagsbie

I am planning on doing the rear differential and transfer case oil swap tomorrow and am not sure as to how much of the oil I need to use in both cases. Of course, I can go by touch and fill as far as filling it up to the fill hole and measuring the amount I drain and fill in the same. I saw on this forum that some suggest that 1 quart is all both mechanisms take. Oddly enough, a local Lexus parts manager told me they take two quarts each? Does he mean for a flush and fill, maybe, as opposed to drain and fill?

hesham1

1.0 qt each is correct... 80w or 80w-90 GL5. your dealer may have confused it with a different vehicle or something. i doubt he was referring to a flush... of course its always good to have an extra bottle on hand

bagsbie

Thanks. That's what I thought. Strangely, I was calling a Service department and a lady there after hearing my question transferred me to Parts!? Would not Service dept know this stuff?

bagsbie

I just did the rear diff and the transfer case drain and fill. Boy, was the fluid awfully dark with drain plug magnet in all sorts of goo. Glad I did it. I used Amsoil synth gear oil. Both places took one quart each. I'll let you know how it performs but I am sure I won't know much difference as my wife does not drive aggressively enough or tows. Will be checking for leaks, just in case, as I heard a switch to synth might do that.

tommewin

Is there a DIY for this? I haven't been under that part of my car yet but I'm wondering are there separate drain/fill bolts or do you have to pump the old fluid out?

bagsbie

There're two separate holes on both the transfer case and the rear differential: one for drain and the other for fill. Both mechanisms take 1 quart. There isn't really a DIY for this that I used but I needed to use a hand pump to get the fluids in up to the fill hole's edge on both. I snapped some photos from under the car which I'll try to post tomorrow.

salimshah

The parts is most knowledgeable as they dispense the amount. The service writers are people trained in dealing with customers. The mechanics who perform service also know the amount needed but they will not be the ones on the phone.

Salim

bagsbie

I thought the same. Well, the first dealer's Parts guy gave me the wrong information and then even said that they do not sell gear oil. The second dealer's Service manager actually put me through to a mechanic who told me what amounts to use. Go figure...

mandyfig

DIY pics would be really nice....

salimshah

If the fluid is coming out of a vat (large drums and not the quart size bottles) then the parts would not know.

Plug for the service manual: Expensive as they are, but are very useful for DIY

Salim

bagsbie

Salim,

what service manual for the RX330 is a good one?

Kostyan

what kind of wrench did you undo the transfer case drain plug? My mechanic (non-dealer) said there must be some special tool, he didnt touch it because was afraid to strip the head