Gear Oil

[aubie]

I'm headed to the beach this Saturday and am in a little bit of a time crunch finishing up my 120k fluid exchanges. Vehicle is '09 LX570 w/just under 120k. So far I've done AT fluid/filter, AHC fluid, coolant, & power steering. Looking to do front and rear diffs and transfer case before we hit the road since I'll be pulling a trailer with a golf cart. Amsoil would be my first choice but I'm not confident I can get it here in time to get the work done.

Looking at my locally available options...it's slim pickings! At the moment, I'm leaning towards Valvoline Full Synthetic 75w90. I can get it at my local auto parts store for $46/gal.

Any issue with using this oil in both diffs and transfer case? Is there another brand I should consider? Do I need to add a friction modifier?

Thanks in advance!

 

[bloc]

Should work fine, don’t add friction modifier.

Toyota didn’t start specifying the odd 75wt in the transfer case til 2010, so you are clear of that change.

Need part numbers for crush washers or anything? Also be prepared for the front diff drain plug to give you grief. Consider upgrading to the Lexus IS plug with external hex if you have time.

 

[aubie]

Thanks, @bloc

Here’s what I ordered for washers:

Can you confirm those part #’s? Do you have the part # for the Lexus plug?

I appreciate the info/help!!!

 

[aubie]

Thanks, @bloc

Here’s what I ordered for washers:

View attachment 3021064

Can you confirm those part #’s? Do you have the part # for the Lexus plug?

I appreciate the info/help!!!

Think I found the plug part #.

Thanks, @bloc

Here’s what I ordered for washers:

View attachment 3021064

Can you confirm those part #’s? Do you have the part # for the Lexus plug?

I appreciate the info/help!!!

think I found the Lexus plug part #. Thanks to @bjowett for posting. Now if I can just get my hands on one of his oil filter housings!!!

 

[aubie]

Just stopped by the dealer to pick up my washers and asked a service guy if he could show me what they used when they service diffs and transfer case.

Here’s what he came back with:

Should I be looking at something other than Valvoline 75-90 or am I overthinking things?

 

[hankinid]

Just stopped by the dealer to pick up my washers and asked a service guy if he could show me what they used when they service diffs and transfer case.

Here’s what he came back with:

View attachment 3021109

Should I be looking at something other than Valvoline 75-90 or am I overthinking things?

Valvoline is fine. I use Mobil 1 and I'm not aware of any differences between the two, other than price

 

[bloc]

I would not put 140wt in our diffs unless aftermarket gears call for it.

You need three of the first part number.. two for the rear axle and one for the front diff fill plug.

In my notes I have
90430-24003 front diff drain gasket
90430-18008 Transfer drain/fill gasket
12157-10010 Rear diff drain/fill gasket, also front diff fill

Use a torque wrench on this stuff..

 

[CharlieS]

Just stopped by the dealer to pick up my washers and asked a service guy if he could show me what they used when they service diffs and transfer case.

Here’s what he came back with:

View attachment 3021109

Should I be looking at something other than Valvoline 75-90 or am I overthinking things?

I'm adding this to the list of reasons to NOT have a dealer ever work on my land cruiser.

 

[manofthewoods]

Just stopped by the dealer to pick up my washers and asked a service guy if he could show me what they used when they service diffs and transfer case.

Here’s what he came back with:

View attachment 3021109

Should I be looking at something other than Valvoline 75-90 or am I overthinking things?

Any name brand 75-90. I use synthetic, Chevron (Delo, I think) is my favorite, or M1, or Valvoline. NO limited slip additives. Fluid changed at reasonable intervals virtually guarantees a long long life.
Happy trails.
Edit to clarify, many Brands include limited slip additives. While you can buy just the additive in a bottle, don't.

 

[aubie]

@bloc, Roger that...I noticed I only ordered 2 of part # 12157-10010 at the counter and was able to get a third. Thanks for looking out!

@CharlieS it's the wild west when it comes to dealers!!!

 

[aubie]

@manofthewoods so am I ok to use gear oil that has additives? Both Mobil1 and Valvoline say they have a limited slip additive

 

[manofthewoods]

@manofthewoods so am I ok to use gear oil that has additives? Both Mobil1 and Valvoline say they have a limited slip additive

Yeah, I read the label on a Delo bottle; makes no mention of the stuff. But, Valvoline practically brags about it. Okay to use in our non-LSD's. If you had a LSD, then you'd need the additive. But, we've got more sophisticated goodies for traction enhancement, which is nice.

 

[bloc]

Maybe verify it won't impact a Torsen differential which is the format of our center diff, but I seem to remember it being ok.

 

[coleAK]

I’ve used the mobile 1 75-90w for 3x diff/TC fluid changes now on my ‘13 LX. No issues.

 

[04UZJ100]

I’ve used the mobile 1 75-90w for 3x diff/TC fluid changes now on my ‘13 LX. No issues.

This is the way.

 

[aubie]

It’ll take me visiting 7 different parts stores to cobble together 9 qts. of Mobil1. I did find a local independent Amsoil dealer that has plenty of Severe Gear 75w-90. So, with my options of readily available fluid being Amsoil or Valvoline…I’m going with Amsoil. We’ll see if it lives up to the hype!

I was conflicted about what to use in the transfer case and considered holding off and ordering either Ravenol or Toyota fluid. Being that my owners manual calls for 75w-90 in the TC instead of straight 75w, I decided to just use Severe Gear in both diffs and TC. Honestly, I don’t think it really makes all that much difference in a pre-2010.

Thanks to everyone for your input!

 

[grinchy]

I have been using Amsoil SG 75w-90 in my 2009 Transfer case for four years, no issues.

 

[bloc]

Honestly, I don’t think it really makes all that much difference in a pre-2010.

Agreed, being exactly what they spec out for your year, so you're definitely fine with the viscosity.

The questions start with the 2010 and later where toyota appears to have added a syncro to the Tcase and changed the specification. The odd thing is the toyota gear oil has some strange physical properties, primarily a very different smell than typical gear oil, and that makes me wonder why it is that way, in conjunction with the change in spec.

Because I don't know exactly what about the new spec is required by them and can't make an informed decision about how important those details are on my 2013, I run the Ravenol stuff that they claim meets the toyota spec.

But this is all for people with trucks newer than yours that may stumble upon this thread. Amsoil makes good fluid.. between that and how robust the drivelines are in our trucks you'll be taking care of your rig. Just be wary of that front diff drain.. it has stopped a bunch of us in our tracks.

 

[CharlieS]

I'm headed to the beach this Saturday and am in a little bit of a time crunch finishing up my 120k fluid exchanges. Vehicle is '09 LX570 w/just under 120k. So far I've done AT fluid/filter, AHC fluid, coolant, & power steering. Looking to do front and rear diffs and transfer case before we hit the road since I'll be pulling a trailer with a golf cart. Amsoil would be my first choice but I'm not confident I can get it here in time to get the work done.

Looking at my locally available options...it's slim pickings! At the moment, I'm leaning towards Valvoline Full Synthetic 75w90. I can get it at my local auto parts store for $46/gal.

View attachment 3021038

Any issue with using this oil in both diffs and transfer case? Is there another brand I should consider? Do I need to add a friction modifier?

Thanks in advance!

I used this in my diffs. It was the only thing I could find on short notice.

 

[aubie]

Job complete! Took just over 2hrs. from start to finish. Started with the rear diff, then front diff, saved the transfer case for last. I took my time and everything went smoothly. Luckily the front diff was drama free...both fill and drain plugs came out with minimal effort. The hardest part was 1,000+ pumps it took to get all the fluid in!!! My little $7 hand pump gave me a nice workout.

I believe the fluid that came out of the transfer case was straight 75 wt. Toyota fluid. It was much thinner than the gear oil from both diffs and definitely had a distinct smell as others have commented. Anyway, I'm glad that's over and all fluids (engine oil, trans, AHC, coolant, power steering, F/R diffs & Transfer case) have all been exchanged. With 119,4XX on the clock, I should have a nice little span of worry-free miles.

Thanks for the help!!!