Diff / Transfer fluid

Hello, before i write my question(s) i just want to say thank you for all the contributions on this news forum, i use it alot. Here are my two questions:

Question 1:
I had a misunderstanding of the diff and transfer case service intervals and have now done 95000 kilometers (60k miles) on the original fluid (no towing or off road). I get a grinding noise when turning left, have i damaged the dif/transfer by not doing the fluid change on time? Figured i should do the fluid anyway before i start looking into wheel bearings for the noise.

Question 2:
I am having a hard time finding the correct fluid, Toyota dealer wants way too much money for their special dif/transfer fluids. Locally i can only find Royal Purple Max Gear SAE 75W-90, i see a number of your run that in your dif's but can i also use this in the transfer case?

My aim is to not have to take my truck back to the dealer for any maintenance or repair. So far, i do my own oil changes, front / rear drive shaft grease. I also used this group to fix one of the second row seats not folding down.

Its a 2016 Limited 4Runner with 95000 kilometers on the clock.

Also, anyone in the Brampton, Mississauga or Caledon in Ontario area have the similar truck and want to meet up?

Thanks in advance for all your replies.

 

1. Grinding is going to be something else.
2. Any off the shelf 75/90 gear oil (LS additive doesn't matter) will work just fine for all three locations.

 

Here’s a good video on the subject of gear box fluid changes.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0URaztDXHco

 

Forgot this one.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3le9ZT5HUlk

 

Any 75W90 GL-5 gear oil works for diffs although I use Redline 80W140 gear oil mainly to reduce a rear diff deceleration whining noise and works good for that: https://www.redlineoil.com/80w140-gl-5-gear-oil
Transfer case uses Redline MT-LV: https://www.redlineoil.com/mt-lv-70w75w

 

I use Ravenol.

Ravenol MTF-3 is a direct replacement for Toyota's transfer case 75w oil: https://www.blauparts.com/ravenol-manual-transmission-fluid-mtf-3-75w-1l.html
Blaupart offers a Ravenol diff/transfer case service package: https://www.blauparts.com/toyota-4runner-transfer-case-differential-fluid-change-kit.html

Ravenol is a high quality full synthetic oil, made in Germany.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_...in=https://www.blauparts.com&feature=emb_logo

 

You mean what you posted here: https://www.4runners.com/threads/good-info-about-fluid-maintenance-more.29666/#post-418916 ?

The way I read that is its 30k under specific use cases ("Special Operating Conditions"). Transfer case is only if you are driving on dirt or dusty roads (or towing, car top carrier or heavy vehicle loading), differentials only if towing, using a car-top carrier or heavy vehicle loading. The footnote clearly states to perform the functions noted under "Additional Maintenance Items for Special Operating Conditions" only if you drive PRIMARILY under the conditions indicated.

Your statement is simply incorrect for most people's use case.

 

And that is at the "MINIMUM" just like the 10 K oil changes... Nobody is going to throw you in "I changed my oil earlier than recommended" jail.

How often do the diffs and T-Case get over 212 degrees? I ask that because of condensation/ water intrusion into the oil.
If you want to wait until 60K or more, thats fine. You can do it at the bare minimum like what the manual says... Some prefer not though.
For me, its oil at 5k, ATF at 15k, diffs at 30k and T-Case at 45k.

 

Thanks guys, but what are your thoughts on any perm damage caused by this oversight?

 

None

 

None
Every 60k will be fine

 

Agreed - none

 

I agree with you. Fluid changes buy piece of mind. I am close to your schedule but do ATF at 30k. I imagine your doing a drain and fills on the ATF at the 15k mile intervals?

 

I am. 3.5ish quarts each time. The only time I may consider doing a flush is around 90k+ or if I feel the tranny searching and/or sliding into gears.

 

I wouldnt call myself "big brained" but more of an experienced person.
Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from bad decisions and I have checked those boxes many times
Im not swimming in money so what I have is what I have to work with. I might as well take care of it so it lasts for a long time and I dont have another $600 car payment for a while. Its really nice when you have all 3 of your vehicles paid off!

 

For the transfer case you definitely want to use a GL-4 rated fluid such as the 75W Redline MT-LV fluid mentioned above. A GL-5 rated fluid is harsh on the brass synchros.

As for the differentials, any quality 75W-90 will do.

FWIW, I'm a second owner and sitting at just over 50k miles on original fluids. I'm in the process of purchasing everything I need to do the diff fluids, transfer case, and ATF. It's a little late but I'm honestly not too concerned and I don't think you should be either.

 

I don’t know if there are synchros in the transfer case, or what they are made of, but I think there has to be in order to allow for shift on the fly. But just the suspicion led me to change my oil using royal purple gear oil that said it was safe for brass and other synchro metals.

 

Can you show us where it says to change the differential and transfer case oils at 30K?

Small brained people want to know.

 

That is a picture from the maintenance log that we all have. It is not a field service manual which you keep referring to.

But, thank you for insulting my intelligence. It shows your character.

I am not telling anyone when they should or should not change their fluids. I read the manual and make my own decisions.

 

Asking someone if they're stupid (remedial) is certainly not a compliment where I'm from.

Also, where did I "act stupid?" I asked you to show where the FSM specifies a 30K mile interval, and you haven't.

You are the one insisting that the "FSM" recommends a 30K interval, which the maintenance log only does under certain conditions. An then you keep taking little jabs at anyone who points that out.

Also, you keep referring to the "FSM." But, when asked for proof, you post screenshots from the maintenance log, which is NOT a field service manual.

I'm not arguing whether or not people should change their fluid at 30K. I'm all in favor of shorter intervals, especially if people hard on their vehicles. But, the maintenance log doesn't actually recommend it, as you keep saying it does.

 

... under special operating conditions.

 

I never said that. I'm just pointing out what the maintenance log says.

 

My point was that the maintenance log doesn't actually specify a 30K interval, except under special operating conditions.

 

Well, that's completely inaccurate, but OK.

 

Does a transfer case have synchros like a manual transmission?

 

Honestly, the way I read the maintenance log, you should be checking your fluid at 30k intervals and make a determination on whether to change the fluids based on that assessment.

This all comes down to what conditions you actually drive your vehicle in. And based on those conditions how comfortable are you with letting it go longer between changes, how strapped for cash are you, how comfortable are you at performing the maintenance, etc.

The typical driver (or mall crawler as it's often referred to) doesn't need to change their fluids every 30k. They could get away with every 60k or maybe even longer if they're just cruising the highway.

If you're rig is loaded up with a front and rear bumper, winch, lightbar, recovery gear, etc. Or you are very demanding of your vehicle using it in rough terrain and constantly utilizing the 4wd, or you tow or have work equipment that is loading down the vehicle. Then I would say a 30k interval makes sense for you.

Don't gaslight and mock others because they don't fit in the same fluid change interval category as you. We all use our vehicles very differently.

Personally I load up with camping gear a couple times a year, lug around kids and sports gear throughout the week and occasionally tow 1k trailer for work. I'd say my use is moderate. And will probably change my fluids every 45k give or take.

 

To my understanding, yes it does. If you watch the video here he explains why you should use a GL-4 fluid.

 

Did you watch the video? He literally said the Toyota TC fluid is GL5 and that you can use 75w-90 gl5 in the diffs AND transfer case.

 

Exactly^

 

Are people still scared of not using Toyota fluid even though Toyota doesn’t make fluids? Might be time to change that PCV valve that’s trendy in the FB groups.