mcfancy

Ive performed changing these oils on my 04 rx, but was hoping someone has done a DIY for the 13'Rx350? I don't want to make any assumptions about things being similar. Does anyone have DIY ,or at a minimum specific pics of the fill and drain bolts? Big thanks members!!

Clutchless

It is covered here in the Toyota Nation Highlander forum. Scroll down and you will see it. I have done mine and it is the same. Get some Mobil 1 synthetic gear lube. I do not think we have a skid plate to remove like the Highlander does in the link.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/12...fications.html

mcfancy

wow, thats what i call assistance;;;...knowing the details on the other forums...thanks so much!!

Ichthys

Do you Lexus guys agree the Highlander instructions and applicable to the third generation RX?
What lube would you recommend and how much for each?

Clutchless

Icthys - The vehicles are mechanical twins. Same differential, same transfer case, same engine, same transmission, same brakes, same steering.
If you read the link in ToyotaNation all your questions will be answered.

However, it takes 75w-90 synthetic gear lube in both. When filling the differential or transfer case you want the vehicle to be level. You fill it up until fluid flows out of the fill hole. Each takes about a quart.

afpj

Got mine done and the hardest part was the transfer case. Getting to the fill bolt was hard, because I don't have a hydraulic lift. Used ramps/ jackstands and was on my back. I got spindly arms so my torque rating ain't so good. (missing some skin from my hand to show for it). As the first pic shows, the rear diff was incredibly easy. The fill hole plug is marked with a sticker and requires 10 mm hex to remove both (like the highlander). The second and third pics are of the transfer case. The fill plug is by the blue mark on the case. The fill plug has a sticker on it. 24 mm bolts. The fill plug was a @$%! to get at. Both took less than a quart. My manual says 80W90, so I used Mobile 1 full synth 75W-90. The primary difference between the highlander and our RX is the drain on the transfer case. OUrs is much better in that it drains straight down (please reference CLUTCHLESS's post and link to Highlander)

ThChinaman

Great photos! Did you replace any of the washers when you reinstalled the drain plugs?

afpj

Yes, part# 12157-10010. The washers are the same as for the Highlander and all 4 (rear diff and transfer case fill and drain plugs) plugs fortunately. I might add the oil was slightly darker than fresh oil, but not bad, (not like the tranny fluid) and there was a moderate amount of fine filings on the magnetic drain plug (looks like dark sludge...the transfer case had more) but normal for 92k miles without any previous change IMO.

ThChinaman

Just picked up my crush washers yesterday but I don't understand which direction they go... I'd assume that the flat side faces the bolt and rounded side for pan to form to uneven shapes, some people online said the same but when I asked the dealer when I bought it, they said the flat side faces the pan. How did you install yours?

afpj

My washers, from the factory as it has never been changed, were round facing pan, so installed that way. No leaks at 200 miles into it.

clickart

Do we still need to change the transfer case and differential fluids if it's a FWD?

ThChinaman

No, if you check out the maintenance logs, it'll say for AWD only.

ThChinaman

If anyone's planning on using a torque wrench to put their plugs back in, the specs for differential are 39 N-m / 29 ft-lbs for the drain plug and 49 N-m / 36 ft-lbs for the fill plug. 49 N-m / 36 ft-lbs for both on transfer. Had to use a universal joint and short 3" or so extension on differential fill because the torque wrench and 10mm hex socket was too big to fit.