Rear Differential Ask - Oil Level (1 Viewer)

[Spacemunki289]

I'm in the process of finishing a prolonged baselining process with an '06 LX470 and did a rear differential oil change. I obeyed spec and filled fluid until the rear differential was full on a level surface, and it unsurprisingly took about 3.5L just as the manual said it would. However, when I drained the old fluid (prior to the fill of course) I only had 2.5L come out. I drove the vehicle before to warm it up to ensure minimal remainder/residual sludge.

• Old fluid was filthy and stank horribly; if it was the first time it had ever been changed I wouldn't be surprised.
• 2.5L came out, 3.5L went in
• No leaks in the rear diff.; this is something I'm certain of and have checked repeatedly over the few months that I've owned the vehicle

Can this fluid reduce over time from heat, or am I in a position where the previous owner/shop didn't do their job?

Vehicle runs like a dream still; what kind of after effects should I be worried about?

 

[3_puppies]

yes there can be a loss of fluid without noticing it over 200,000? miles

 

[maxamillion2345]

No not really, it probably just wasn’t full or they did it at an odd angle.

I wouldn’t spend much time worrying about it.

 

[flintknapper]

No not really, it probably just wasn’t full or they did it at an odd angle.

I wouldn’t spend much time worrying about it.

^^^^
Agreed.

About 2.5 seconds would be plenty.



A little bit of gear lube will be lost over time past axle seals and pinion seals.

Or as stated above, never fully filled to begin with.

 

[ramangain]

Was there any sign of sludge at all when it drained? Did you shine a light in the drain hole to have a peek?

 

[Spacemunki289]

Was there any sign of sludge at all when it drained? Did you shine a light in the drain hole to have a peek?

No sludge; the magnet for residual shavings had a decent bit to wipe off, that's it. Just hoping I dodged a bullet.

 

[ramangain]

OK Neo

 

[Spacemunki289]

OK Neo

Yeah.....I earned that.

 

[Lonegrasshopper]

Old fluid was filthy and stank horribly

The stank is normal. I hate changing gear fluid for this reason. It smells, and takes a bit of scrubbing to get rid of the smell if you get some on your arms. I even think new gear fluid smells.