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I’ve posted before about my 2009 Toyota Tacoma and its four wheel drive. I have just rolled over 40,000 miles and am suspecting I should service my transmission and four wheel drive after watching Eric’s latest videos. It’s a five speed manual and was wondering if 40,000 miles is a good time to do this service or should I wait a bit longer?
Thank you much for your help!
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We at the dealership usually recommend 4×4 service (front, rear diff and transfer case) at 60k miles. The trans fluid is world standard i believe, if it is, we recommend those at 100k miles.
Correction: Manual trans ususally same as diff service, 60k miles. Unless you;re doing towing or heavy duty driving and such, then its more like 30k miles.Nah, no heavy duty towing for me. The Taco is just a little 4 cylinder regular cab. I do take it off the beaten path occasionally for hunting, but nothing that would qualify as extreme driving. Thank you for the advice though. Looks like I’ve got awhile before anything needs to be done.
You’re in luck because I also have video on servicing the front and rear differentials as well as the transfer case. This video should be out next week or the week after.
In my old chevy I usually change the fluid and gasket on both diff’s, transfer case fluid, and manual trans fluid every 35-50,000. I’m only familiar with the older toyota trucks, but this is typically a pretty easy job.
1. Most likely your diff covers will have to come off to remove the old gear oil. that means you are going to need new gaskets. No matter what anyone says do not use rtv or any sealer on these gaskets. Just make sure the surfaces are clean and dry. Then there should be a plug that a 3/8 drive on a socket wrench will fit, right around the drive shaft input. Take that out to fill the diff with (most likely) 85-90 gear oil. Each diff will probably take two quarts. Just squirt the gear oil into the diff until it drips out of the fill hole. Before you put the plug back in the fill hole I recommend putting some “anti-seize” on the threads.
2. The manual trans and transfer case have a seperate drain and fill plugthat is (most likely) similar to the fill plug on the diff. Before you drain either of them make sure to loosen the fill plug. Sometimes they can get fused in place (probably won’t be an issue for you.) Consult your dealer for fluid type and capacities. Just like with the diff, I would put some “anti-seize” on the threads of the plugs before reinstalling them.
Like I said this is typically an easy job but it may be a good idea to get yourself a “Haynes” service and repair manual.
I’m looking forward to those diff and transfer case videos, Eric. I need to do all of that so excellent timing!
Buod, I’ve seen you emphasize the importance of not using sealer on diff gaskets a few times. Is that for the same reason that Eric says not to use it on transmission pans, (that it’s just hard to get off) or is there another issue specific to diffs?
RTV is a PITA to remove period.
Some older techs still prefer RTV for diff cases, others like there gaskets.
Each to there own.
Well one of the reasons you don’t want to use it on trans pan gaskets is because it can make the trans gasket move around when torquing the pan. If the trans gasket moves around it is more prone to split. The reason I urge people to not use it on the diff is because it is un-necessary, can make it more likely to leak, and it is really annoying to clean off the next time you service the diff. Also if any of the rtv sealer gets into the diff it can cause alot of expensive problems.
I figured as much. When I open the diffs, what would be an inordinate amount of metal shavings to come out? Obviously some will be normal, but how much is too much?
[quote=”LJ11194″ post=40529]I figured as much. When I open the diffs, what would be an inordinate amount of metal shavings to come out? Obviously some will be normal, but how much is too much?[/quote]
What you can hold a ‘chunk’ of a gear in your hand 😛
If your concerned, you could check the pre-load, run out and end play.
Any metal that is worn off of the gears or bearings should be so small that they turn the oil a dark color. If you see anything that looks like metal shavings, that is not good.
Everyone on the Dodge forum seems to like using RTV for some reason. From what we all know about it, I can’t fathom why, but they do. Supposedly it comes with RTV on it from the factory as well.
I was wondering if that would be coming since you were doing so much work on the 4 Runner. I can’t believe how much of a help this website is Eric. You’ve definitely created a great resource.
Thanks so much!
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