transfer case/diff fluid questions (1 Viewer)

[whodat]

got my 96' lx450 about 1 week ago. did the antifreeze yesterday based on archives from this site. Did some more archive searching on the t-case & diff fluids. a few questions remain.

1. can I use Mobil 1 75w-90 in all three?(trans case & 2 diffs)
2.how many quarts will each take?
3.what size sockets are needed? (the diff plugs look huge)

charlie in jax fl
107k 96' lx450
;p ;p ;p

 

[RavenTai]

you need 2 gallons total, socket is 24MM IIRC,

Very important! make sure you open the fill plug before the drian plug, over an over again members have found thier fill plug frozen/rounded off, most of the tiem they find this out after they have already pulled the drain plug

technically the T-case calls for 75-90 the diffs call for 80w90, the diffrence is minor runnign M1 you will be fine

more info

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=10933

 

[Cruiserdrew]

1-Yes, works great.

2-T-case 1.8, Front diff 2.9, Rear diff 3.4

3-24mm use only 6 point sockets or you will round the plug

I would also buy new plug gaskets from Toyota. The gaskets for the t-case are aluminum and different from the steel plug gaskets for the diffs. Prepare yourself for ugly looking front diff fluid. If present you will soon need new axle seals which is a much more involved job. Changing the fluids is a good place to start. You might consider some cheaper conventional gear oil for the front, since if it's goopy, you'll need to do several quick changes to flush it out and then replace the axle seals. The rear should be good.

Other related maintanence on the axles-wheel bearing repack front and rear, front axle seals as mentioned above. You can do that with your knuckle overhaul in a few months once you get to know your new truck.

Get a factory service manual.

 

[whodat]

thx for the quick response...who is a good source for a FSM? trying to avoid the stealership.

 

[lurker]

24 mm is good, 6 point 15/16" is better.

24mm = .9448"

15/16 = .9375" < tighter

Also you might want to consider a hand held impact driver and/or the sand in socket trick.

 

[nakman]

...who is a good source for a FSM?

Whodat, let me be the first of many to recommend you get to know CruiserDan.. click on the American Toyota banner above. He'll get you the right compression washers too, and ask him about Camry "allen wrench-style" replacement fill plugs as long as you've got him on the phone...

 

[Andrewsreef]

Whodat, nice to see another from Jacksonville, FL. as not many of us with these trucks around here. I purchased a FSM on Ebay for $70. I think the seller has a store for Lexus FSM and has both the 96 and 97 LX450 Manuals. Here is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7922403807&category=6762

Andrew

 

[whodat]

just finished all three, thx for the help...
are all the plugs magnetic, or just the bottom?

the tranny is next weekend, I like the post about hijacking the trans-cooler lines.

Andrew-I guess they're not popular down here b'cuz of the full time 4wd...kind of overkill down here. but I love this truck so far.

charlie

 

[4x4CPOSEADOG]

Whodat, Congrats on your LX. How's the transfer case oil look like? I'm about to do what you did on your LX. Got all the tools to change the oil in both FR/RR diffs and t-case. Have fun with your truck.

 

[whodat]

the oil from all three looked surprisingly good. I guess that's a good thing, but I didn't get that good feeling you get when you save something from certain failure.

 

[Klunky Chris]

the oil from all three looked surprisingly good. I guess that's a good thing, but I didn't get that good feeling you get when you save something from certain failure.

ahhh.... but GI Joe tells us "knowing is half the battle!"

non-goopy front diff fluid tells you your axles seals *might* be OK. You should check on the grease amount in your knuckles. Pull the square inspection plugs on the knuckles and stick a clothes hanger/ screwdriver/etc. down in to see if you have any grease in there.
you don't have any clicking from the front end in slow tight turns do you?

to be fair though, I am delving into a birfield thread just wanted to make sure you are informed

 

[mabrodis]

24mm = .9448"
15/16 = .9375" < tighter
Also you might want to consider a hand held impact driver and/or the sand in socket trick.

I always use a 15/16" 12-pt socket, never had any problems at all, but mine have never been overly tight. Sand in the socket?? I have never heard of that, I've tried the grease in the socket with marginal success. Blood in the socket (and also required all over the wrench) with slightly more success...

Also I have never replaced any of the 'gaskets' on the drain/fill plugs and none of mine have ever leaked, so certainly not required IMO.

The sand just to give it a tighter fit? Hmm, I'll have to try that sometime...

 

[RavenTai]

The sand just to give it a tighter fit? Hmm, I'll have to try that sometime...

it provides more bite, valve lapping compound works well on philips bits for the same reason

 

[snowwolfwarrior]

24mm socket mods

If you look at your 24mm socket, you will see it has a lead in champher, and as the plug only has a very short head, only half the the head of the plug is biting in the socket, all I done was put the 24mm socket on a grind wheel and ground off the first 3mm so it did not have a champher

 

[Heffenoche]

Also you might want to consider a hand held impact driver

Good idea, feel pretty stupid for not thinking of that on my own.