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Thread: Writeup: Changing Your Front Differential, Rear Differential, etc. Fluids

  1. #1

    Writeup: Changing Your Front Differential, Rear Differential, etc. Fluids

    Changing Your Front Differential, Rear Differential,
    5-Speed Transmission, and Transfer Case Fluids


    By: Bob_98SR5
    Application: 1998 4Runner SR5 4WD (5 speed)
    Last Updated: September 27, 2006

    Tools
    Floor jack, jack stands, and wheel chocks
    1/2" socket wrench
    3/8” socket wrench
    Cresent Wrench
    Torque wrench
    24mm socket
    14mm socket
    12mm socket (deep) with extension
    10mm hex key or socket
    12mm hex key or socket
    Oil Drain Pan

    Supplies
    Standard Washer/Gaskets
    “Crush” Washer/Gaskets
    5 bottles of 75W-80 Gear Lube (1 qt)
    3 bottle of 80W-90 Gear Lube (1 qt)
    Shop rags/towels


    Summary
    Changing your front/rear differential, 5-speed transmission, and transfer case fluids ensures that the parts within these critical components function with minimal wear and tear. Changing your differential and transfer case fluids at your scheduled intervals (please refer to your manual) will help ensure the longevity of these parts as well as your 4Runner. Refer to the chart below for fluid type, weight and capacity information. Note: I first used Amsoil synthetic fluids in place of the Toyota OEM fluids which allows me to extend the change intervals. Of course, you may use any brand of your choice. For my next change, I am using Redline for all my fluids. Of note, their MT-90 manual transmission fluid is the best. In fact, the Amsoil 75W-90 was too slippery for the transmission. Based on my personal experience, I do not advise putting it into your manual transmission.



    For my fluid changes, I started with the rear differential, moved onto the transfer case, then the manual transmission, and finally finished off with the front differential. Note: it's a good idea to do both your oil change and the front differential at the same time as you will need to pull off the front skid plate anyways. You may do it in any order you wish.


    Changing Your Rear Differential Fluid
    Begin by lowering your spare tire and moving it out of the way. Now chock your rear wheels and jack up your 4runner and set your jack stands in place. Fortunately, I can work semi-comfortably in this area without jacking it up in the rear thanks to a mild PP 1” lift. Unbolt the 12mm rear brake cable bolt. This will allow you to maneuver your 24mm socket on the ½ inch socket wrench onto the top 24mm (fill) bolt. Turn it counterclockwise to remove the plug. After removing this plug, remove the bottom 24mm drain plug. Allow it to drain out.

    Note: one reader provided me feedback that the 24mm drain bolt is soft metal. He used a 12 point instead of 6 point socket and rounded it off. Thus as a precaution, use a 6 point socket and use some PB Blaster the night before to loosen the plug.


    Lower the tire by cranking counter-clockwise


    Unbolt 12mm bolt (P) to allow room for your 24mm socket; remove fill bolt (F) first and then drain bolt (D)

    You will probably notice some metal shavings on the bottom (drain) bolt. Clean the shavings off. After the fluid has completely drained, re-fasten the bottom drain bolt with a “crush” washer/gasket.


    Drain baby, drain...


    Clean off the magnetic drain plug

    Insert your hand pump into your bottle of Amsoil and insert the other end into the fill hole. Pump approximately 2.6 quarts (78 oz) of the gear fluid in. When the fluid just begins to seep out of the fill hole, re-fasten the fill bolt.


    Insert the barbed end into the fill hole


    Pump 2.6 qts of gear lube in

    Re-fasten the rear brake cable bolt and move onto the transfer case.


    Changing Your Transfer Case Fluid
    This one is the easiest of the three. Using the same 24mm socket, remove the top “fill” bolt and set aside. Next, move your drain pan about 8 to 12 inches towards the rear of bottom drain plug. Now unbolt the drain bolt. Careful because the transfer fluid will shoot out like water from a busted dike from an old 1930’s movie (don’t ask me how I know this).


    Remember, ALWAYS remove the fill hole first!


    Careful, that fluid will shoot out like a missile

    After allowing the fluid to drain, attach washers to both bolts and re-fasten the bottom “drain” bolt. Pump in 1.1 Quarts (33 ounces) of gear lube into the transfer case. When the fluid just begins to seep out of the fill hole, re-fasten the fill bolt. You’re done and now onto the front differential.

    Changing Your Manual Transmission Fluid
    Thank goodness for manual transmissions: its a very simple drain and fill! As always, unbolt the fill plug first. It is located on the driver's side. It's easier to use a crescent wrench here to remove the 24mm bolt. Next, place your oil pan underneath the drain plug and then remove the bolt, located on the passenger side, with a 24mm socket. Place both bolts/washers in a safe location and let the transmission fluid drain.


    Remove the 24mm drain plug/washer. This one is very easy to remove.


    Remove the 24mm fill plug w/ a crescent wrench. Space is a little tight here, but its doable.

    After the transmission fluid comes to a slow drip, re-fasten the drain plug. Next, fill the transmission with 2.3 quarts (69 oz) of Amsoil 75W-90 Gear Lube. Replace the fill plug and then you're ready to move onto the front differential.


    Changing Your Front Differential Fluid
    This one requires one tedious step: removing the front skid plate. You’ll definitely need to jack up your 4Runner for this one, so go to it. To remove the skid plate, see the graphic below. There are a total of six 12mm bolts that need to be removed. Begin by removing the front three bolts. Then remove the back two bolts. Finally, remove the middle bolts. You will notice that in the front of the skid plate, it will “hang” because of the three “clips”. Pull off the skid plate by pulling upwards and towards the front. Set aside and keep the bolts in a safe place.


    Remove the six 12mm bolts

    Removing the fill and drain is identical in procedure to the transfer case. The fill plug uses a 10mm hex and the drain plug is a 12mm hex.


    Remove the front differential drain plug w/ a 10mm hex. Excuse the blurry picture.


    Remove the front differential drain plug w/ a 12mm hex. Some 3rd gen owners (99 to 02) have written to me and said that their front diff drain and fill plugs are both 12mm. Have both just in case.

    Re-fasten the drain plug w/ a new crush washer/gasket. Fill your front differential oil w/ the hand pump with 1.2 quarts of gear fluid.

    While you’re down there, consider changing your oil. Removing the oil filter is MUCH easier with the skid plate off. Here’s my write up on how to change your oil.

    Replace the skid plate in reverse order. Now, take your 4Runner for a short drive in both 4Hi and 4lo to re-lubricate all assemblies.

    As always, take your old fluids to a designated recycling center. If you don’t know where one is in your local area, visit Earth911.com.


    Comments and Learning Points
    - When removing the fill plug on the manual transmission housing, space is a little tight. However, you can use a normal crescent wrench to do the deed.

    - I had the most difficult time removing the drain plugs on the front and rear differential. Try to clean out as much gunk as possible with a good engine cleaner and a toothbrush. Also consider using PB blaster to loosen up the plugs.

    - Removing the skid plate is easily accomplished if you have an extra jack stand on hand to hold one end up (the back end, for example) while unbolting the other.

    - I received a PM from MTL_4runner who confirmed with a dealership that for 3rd gens from 1996-1998, the front diff plugs use a 10mm and 12mm for the drain and fill plugs, respectively. For 1999-2002, the drain and fill plugs are both 10mm. Thanks, MTL!

  2. #2

    Re: Writeup: Changing Your Front Differential, Rear Differential, etc. Fluids

    great write up i need to do this asap like to add some part # and such
    Transfer Case Fill Gasket 90430-18008 27 Ft-Lb
    Transfer Case Drain Gasket 90430-18008 27 Ft-Lb
    Front Differential Fill Gasket 12157-10010 29 Ft-Lb
    Front Differential Drain Gasket 90430-24003 48 Ft-Lb
    Rear Differential Fill Gasket 12157-10010 36 Ft-Lb
    Rear Differential Drain Gasket 12157-10010 36 Ft-Lb
    My Truck 98 4runner 4x4 SR5 3.4L 5spd E-Locker <br />Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto fully loaded<br />mom&#39;s 92 pickup SR5 3.0L 5spd 4x4 <br />Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner 3.4L auto 4x4 <br />R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06

  3. #3

    Re: Writeup: Changing Your Front Differential, Rear Differential, etc. Fluids

    what about applying anti seize to the threads of the plugs to prevent them from seizing? or would this contaminate the fluid?
    2005 Lexus LX470 - Stock for now...

    1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4x4 + a bunch of goodies. Lifted, Locked, Illuminated and Armored. Winner,"Best Offroad Truck" - 2010 Pismo Jamboree. It's been upside down and still drives me to work.

  4. #4

    Re: Writeup: Changing Your Front Differential, Rear Differential, etc. Fluids

    my front diff takes a 10mm hex for both ???
    My Truck 98 4runner 4x4 SR5 3.4L 5spd E-Locker <br />Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto fully loaded<br />mom&#39;s 92 pickup SR5 3.0L 5spd 4x4 <br />Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner 3.4L auto 4x4 <br />R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06

  5. #5

    Re: Writeup: Changing Your Front Differential, Rear Differential, etc. Fluids

    elton, you have to use a 10 and 12 hex for the front

  6. #6

    Re: Writeup: Changing Your Front Differential, Rear Differential, etc. Fluids

    FWIW my front plugs are both 10 mm also

  7. #7

    Re: Writeup: Changing Your Front Differential, Rear Differential, etc. Fluids

    strange...who knows, maybe one of my plugs went missing and a shop mechanic replaced it with a 12mm

    that said, i recall someone welded a nut to them which made taking them on/off alot easier and safer than using a friggin hex wrench

    bob

  8. #8

    Re: Writeup: Changing Your Front Differential, Rear Differential, etc. Fluids

    also the front drain is on there really tight im going to try getting them off again i plan on borrowing a breaker bar
    My Truck 98 4runner 4x4 SR5 3.4L 5spd E-Locker <br />Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto fully loaded<br />mom&#39;s 92 pickup SR5 3.0L 5spd 4x4 <br />Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner 3.4L auto 4x4 <br />R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06

  9. #9

    Re: Writeup: Changing Your Front Differential, Rear Differential, etc. Fluids

    Quote Originally Posted by Elton
    also there on there really tight im going to try getting them off i plan on borrowing a breaker bar
    Get (a) good quality allen socket(s) (I got a good set at NAPA). If you put too much torque on the cheapos (esp with a breaker bar), they'll snap right off. Spray the area down with PB blaster the night before to be sure the surface rust isn't holding the nut in place. A few whacks with a rubber mallet on the ratchet can help too. Those nuts are on tight but eventually they will come off. One word of advice, always be sore you can get out the fill plug on the dif before you remove the drain plug!!!
    - Jamie<br /><br />1996 SR5 4Runner 4X4 Auto, Deckplate Mod,&nbsp; Hayden Tranny Cooler,&nbsp; Amsoil Air Filter, OME 881/906 N86C/N91SC Lift - SOLD, but still miss it!<br /><br />2005 Silverado 2500HD Duramax Diesel 4WD

  10. #10

    Re: Writeup: Changing Your Front Differential, Rear Differential, etc. Fluids

    Lance
    TLCA Member

    2003 4Runner SR5 4x4 Chaos Edition
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