Newbie Newbie Newbie

[laubknight]

Ok, now that I've established myself as a "n00b" to this site, I'll ask a simple question.

I've tried looking around the forums, but haven't found an answer, so either it's not here, or I can't find it.

My question is simple. My 2005 Tundra SR-5 V8 Access Cab is the very first new car I've ever had, and unlike my attitude towards beaters, I want to take care of this one. So, since I'm almost at the 30,000 mile mark, I am trying to find out whether or not I have the limited-slip differential or not and how I would go about changing it's oil. I've put in synthetic oil at the very first scheduled oil change, and use AMSoil oil and filter (and while the oil says it's good for 25,000 miles, I change the oil when the filer-which says it lasts 12,500 miles-is due for a change). I know I'm wasting about half of the oil's life, but I figure it's a small price to ensure that the oil is always at its best.

Anyway, do all the Tundra's have the LSD (heh), and if not, how do I find out whether mine does or not. I'm sure to you guys, this is a stupid question, but I'm a far better computer tech then I am mechanic, and when it comes to this truck, I want to be absolutely sure I don't leave anything to chance.

Thank you very much for any help you can provide to a poor n00b like me.

[AFP520]

Welcome aboard. What part of jersey you from?

To tell if you have an LSD:
1. Jack up the pumpkin and spin a tire. If the other tire spins the same way, you've most likely got an LSD. If the other tire spins the opposite way, you have an open differential. (Non-LSD)
2. HOLD YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE SLAM THE GAS TO DO A BIG BRAKE STAND! If you have two tire marks, LSD it is!

I'd think the rear needs an LSD additive if it does have one installed, otherwise I think 75w90 GL4 or GL5 would do the trick

Someone correct me if im wrong.

[tempetom]

If it has LSD and not all do, there should be a sticker on the rear diff cover saying LSD fluid only or words to that effect. If it's not there you probably don't have it, but you can raise both rear wheels; put in neutral, and spin one tire forward. If they turn in opposite directions, it's an open diff.

[laubknight]

Originally Posted by AFP520

Welcome aboard. What part of jersey you from?

The good part. Thanks, I'm actually from South Jersey.

I think the easiest way I'll have right now is to check the differential cover, like Tempeton said.

But, I don't know where that is.

Told you I was n00b.

Help.

[AFP520]

Originally Posted by laubknight

The good part. Thanks, I'm actually from South Jersey.

I think the easiest way I'll have right now is to check the differential cover, like Tempeton said.

But, I don't know where that is.

Told you I was n00b.

Help.

LOL yeah you're safe down in south jersey. Im in central jersey.

The pumpkin is the big ball in the middle. That's the differential. The cover is attached with bolts around the differential. He's saying there should be a sticker on there.

Honestly the easiest way was #2 from me. You dont have to sit there and do a huge burn out. But you should have two tire marks if you have an lsd.

[Tundra_Hick]

I wonder if LSD is standard in northern states?

I'm pretty sure its standard in Canada, and depending on which province the truck is sold, so is a block heater.

I'm positive I have LSD.

Here are a couple of indicators I've noticed from my LSD:

When I turn in a sharp circle, and give a moderate amount of gas, I hear my inside tire chirping.

On snow/ice, the rear end of the truck slides side to side, which is another indication.

On dry pavement, I rarely get wheel spin....

Oh ya, and the two big black marks that are left on the ground when the loud pedal is slammed (not that I would do that, cuz that would be immature).

[Tundragotonit]

If you go around a icy off-ramp and you end up in the ditch backwards, then you have LSD, if you go in frontwards, then you have front wheel drive. ha. I love that one.

[Tundra_Hick]

Originally Posted by AFP520

Welcome aboard. What part of jersey you from?

To tell if you have an LSD:
1. Jack up the pumpkin and spin a tire. If the other tire spins the same way, you've most likely got an LSD. If the other tire spins the opposite way, you have an open differential. (Non-LSD)
2. HOLD YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE SLAM THE GAS TO DO A BIG BRAKE STAND! If you have two tire marks, LSD it is!

I'd think the rear needs an LSD additive if it does have one installed, otherwise I think 75w90 GL4 or GL5 would do the trick

Someone correct me if im wrong.

I'm here to correct you, and in fact you are wrong, jacking up the truck and spinning the tires won't tell you squat. I have LSD, my purchase order, and the sticker on the rear end confirm it (I checked the rear end today), if I spin one tire, the other goes in the opposite direction. When they go the same direction, that's posi, and Toyota's don't have posi in Tundra's.

So to see if you have LSD, check the sticker, or the burnout method.

[AFP520]

Originally Posted by Tundra_Hick

I'm here to correct you, and in fact you are wrong, jacking up the truck and spinning the tires won't tell you squat. I have LSD, my purchase order, and the sticker on the rear end confirm it (I checked the rear end today), if I spin one tire, the other goes in the opposite direction. When they go the same direction, that's posi, and Toyota's don't have posi in Tundra's.

So to see if you have LSD, check the sticker, or the burnout method.

Your truck doesn't have an LSD then. Open diff's spin the opposite directions ALWAYS. LSD will make both spin the same direction. Maybe something might be wrong with yours? My 03 Taco rear was open from the factory. I installed the TRD LSD (not the whole 3rd member either) and that too made both spin the same way when jacked up.

I'll go jackup my truck tonight and take video of it if I need to.

[Tundra_Hick]

Originally Posted by AFP520

Your truck doesn't have an LSD then. Open diff's spin the opposite directions ALWAYS. LSD will make both spin the same direction. Maybe something might be wrong with yours? My 03 Taco rear was open from the factory. I installed the TRD LSD (not the whole 3rd member either) and that too made both spin the same way when jacked up.

I'll go jackup my truck tonight and take video of it if I need to.

Please do, and when you discover that you are in fact wrong, I expect you to say so...and something nice for me, not flowers, but a six pack of beer.

[AFP520]

Originally Posted by Tundra_Hick

Please do, and when you discover that you are in fact wrong, I expect you to say so...and something nice for me, not flowers, but a six pack of beer.

LOL well I just got back inside from jacking up my truck and indeed... both tires spin forward... honestly it is too dark here to get it on tape right now, HOWEVER if you really push me to, I'll get out the spot light and get it on video for you to see...

I managed to find this set of posts on a forum too... member jjj

"Message:
Dakota Bob, I hate to tell you but if you jack both rear wheels off of the ground and spin on and the other tire goes in the opposite direction - you have an open diff. not a LSD.

LSD, posi, etc (except locker) are all the same. Even though different means are used to get the end result.

If you have a LSD and get both wheels up in neutral and spin one the other will spin the same direction.

Jeff"

limited slip vs. posi on a cc4.7 auto - Performance Message Board

[Tundra_Hick]

Were you in park or neutral?

Because I was in park, and in park the driveshaft wouldn't turn, so that could be why my tire spun the other direction.

Does that make sense?

[Tundragotonit]

There's been discussion on this at my house and the only way to know is if you really know it, by that I mean the tests like spinning don't allways prove it. I'd stick with the spinning test, say 90%.

[Tundra_Hick]

Originally Posted by Tundragotonit

There's been discussion on this at my house and the only way to know is if you really know it, by that I mean the tests like spinning don't allways prove it. I'd stick with the spinning test, say 90%.

In the sales brochure, it said if you have the 4x4 AC, you get LSD, there's a sticker on my rear axle that is quite clear, which says LSD, and its on my sales slip too.

My problem, among others, was that I was listening to the service manager, instead of thinking about what was going on. I know I have LSD, he turned one tire, the other spun the opposite direction, thus, LSD had nothing to do with tire rotation. However, the truck was in park, and since the drive shaft was locked, the rotations of the axle resulted "I think" in the following manner. The right tire spun, then the force met the resistance of the driveshaft, the pinion gears spun, transmitting the rotation to the other side of the axle, making the other side spin the opposite direction. The pinion gears are supposed to rotate, in order to allow the vehicle to turn a corner, but in an LSD, there's a spring and clutches in the centre, which keeps them spinning together.

So I'm still confident I have LSD, however, had the truck been in neutral, both tires may have spun in the same direction.

[corebreach]

Is it true that a Toyota dealer can run your VIN to tell you if you have a LSD or not?