[Tundradrenalin]

Here’s what I did to drain and fill the differential gear oil (LSD) in my 2005 Tundra 4wd Access Cab. The process is basically the same for all models Toyota Trucks. This was a pretty simple process and knocked out two of them in under an hour with help from a fellow TSer BAD BONEZ BJ.

Tools Required:
Differential Gear Oil – SAE 90, 80w-90 or 75w-90 will do.
24mm Socket
Breaker Bar (optional)
Torque Wrench
Gloves
& a bunch of rags

Preparation:
- Let the pumpkin cool down, hot oil isn’t much fun to get on your hands.
- Lay down something disposable, cardboard or something. Your old gear oil might smell very bad and can stain just about anything.





Step 1:
IMPORTANT, remove the FILL plug bolt first. Some oil will start to drain out.



Step 2:
- Remove the DRAIN plug bolt now.



- Let it all drain out.



Step 3:
- Jack up the driver’s side rear wheel so the differential drain hole is near parallel with the bottom of the pumpkin.
- This will allow the most oil to drain out from the base, where the most debris might be hiding out.



- This is a good time to clean the bolt plugs. The drain bolt has a magnet on the inside of it to capture larger pieces of worn gear shavings.
- Clean this off with some brake cleaner or the like.



Step 4:
- Replace the drain plug bolt (torque = 36 ft.lbs) and start filling the differential with oil. The gear oil bottles are conical enough to get the majority of the oil in there. Try getting about 2.5 – 3 quarts in there, then replace the fill plug bolt (torque = 36 ft.lbs).
- Take the truck out for a quick spin to disperse the oil within the gear housing.
Step 5:
- Repeat Step 1. Continue to fill the gear oil until you see the level of the oil inside the fill hole about leveled off with the bottom of the hole. Or just fill until you get some minor dribble like what you saw when you took the bolt off the first time.

- You may need the fluid pump, like we used here:



- If you want to replace the crush washers, here are the Toyota Part#s. <LINK>
Front Transaxle –
Drain: 90430-24003 (copper flat washer/gasket)
Fill: 12157-10010 (metal crush washer/gasket)

Transfer Case –
Drain: 90430-18008 (aluminum crush washer/gasket)
Fill: 90430-18008 (aluminum crush washer/gasket)

Rear Differential –
Drain: 12157-10010 (metal crush washer/gasket)
Fill: 12157-10010 (metal crush washer/gasket)
(courtesy of TSer maxtorqe)

Good luck and have fun!


Reference post #1 from devinsixtyseven.
Reference post #2