DIY: Change the Rear Differential Fluid in 07 Tundra w/pics

[fla_guy]

Drained/filled mine today with Mobil1 75w90 with 11k on the truck. Not a bad job at all. The fluid was very dark, and the stuff I wiped up off of my collection container was black on the paper towels. The drain plug had the blob of goo on there, dark grey and full of metal. Like grease. The drained fluid was FULL of metal shavings, some were just specks, others bigger like 1-2mm in size.

Filled mine up with almost 4 quarts, then took it for a figure-8 parking lot spin. Got back, and removed the fill plug and had some fluid seeping out. I put on a new washer and put the fill plug back in while it was still seeping. Torqued the bolt and I was done.

The washers were about a buck each at my dealer. Picked up some engine oil drain plug washers while I was there :-)

sspatel - I have a county waste collection facility nearby - I take my old oil there. You could probably take it to a local auto parts store too, many of them offer to take used oil for recycling.

[can't stop spinning]

Has anyone changed the oil in the front dif? Is it the same as the rear?

[Only Toyota for me]

Originally Posted by can't stop spinning

Has anyone changed the oil in the front dif? Is it the same as the rear?

Yes, i have and it's a beotch to do vs. the rear. It helps to have 2 people while attempting. I've actually replaced all 3 diffs in my truck with Amsoil Severe Gear 75w90 synthetic.
The process is the same as the rear, but the front takes 2.3 qts if i remember correctly. Transfer case takes 1.2 qts, but there was no need for me to replace the transfer case as the fluid looked brand new. But i did it anyway.

My truck had 15k on the clock, and the front fluid was in pretty bad shape. Be sure and getter done.

[Tman07]

I am a new member and looking at doing this at some point, so am looking for pointers. I presume that the truck is raised on the left side to allow all of the fluid to drain out. Correct? If that is correct, would lowering the vehicle prior to refilling with oil get a more accurate oil level? Just wondering, maybe it doesn't matter or make that big of difference. Any opinions? Thanks to all involved here, very helpful.

[fla_guy]

Tman I don't think it makes much difference. If you DO raise the left to get more oil out, then yeah lower before filling. I didn't bother lifting the left side personally and I still fit the capacity in there so I am thinking most if not all oil came out.

[LeeinAZ]

I did mine today at 28,000 miles. The original fluid was a bit dark and my drain plug had the same gooey stuff on it as reported on the forum...no metal shavings observed.

I think a 24mm socket fits the plugs better that a 15/16" socket. I rounded off the corners of the fill plug with the 15/16 socket when I removed it.

Are the reported torque setting for the plugs correct? 36 ft#s Fill plug and 29 ft#'s for the drain plug....doesn't seem like enough Where did those figures come from?

I refilled with Royal Purple 75W-90...first time user of this product.

[waiting tundra]

Don't ever under any circumstance put a brick under a jack to raise your vehicle. Don't show greenhorns this dangerous shortcut or you may be resposible for getting someone hurt.

[waiting tundra]

oh yea all the fittings on a toyota are mm not sae, be carefull whose advice you follow.

[huntsonora]

Originally Posted by waiting tundra

oh yea all the fittings on a toyota are mm not sae, be carefull whose advice you follow.

Why be a dick ? It was a good writeup

[EVOL ARDNUT]

Just ask the guy to fix write up for rest of us that haven't done it yet, and relax don't be so critical, no one is paying him for write up.

[Vendetta]

Great write up!
just a FYI about Royal Purple. The motor oil is super good we always run it in the race truck. However there gear oil is sub par. We ran it in the race truck, it made it 2 laps before blowing up the gear set. After inspection the oil gunked up under heat. I would recommend Mobile 1, or if you want the absolute best and dont mind forking out the money get Swepco.
SWEPCO High Quality Industrial Lubricants

[oilmpg]

The 4th & 5th photo shows drain hole and then the drain bolt. Much better than GM & Ford where you need to remove the diff cover which is a messy PITA.

[jjsells]

I found out they use Mobil 1 75W-90 Synthetic from the factory.

[zpaul]

For lazy people like me - Mobil 1 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube $39.91 Shipped from amazon, price for 4 Quarts

[bilztrd]

I'll change mine around 10k. If I can find it, I'll use Dino, unless I find out the factory used syn.

I have never lost a rear end on Dino.
Got a 65 ply with 300k plus on the original rear end. It only had dino.