Anyone had low diff fluids?

I am going to check the fluid levels in my front and rear diffs this weekend as well as the transfer case. 280 miles on truck. Has anyone found theirs low?

Also, isn't it true the rear diff does not need any LSD additive due to the LSD function accomplished via ABS? Is 75/90 Syntheitc suitable to top off? I looked in manual and it calls for 75/85 GL5 for front and rear diff. It call for straight 75 weight for transfer case.

Is it stupid to put the same oil in transfer case as in diffs?

I called Dealer parts counter this AM. He is telling me , per Engineering notes, to use 75-90 Synthetic in all 3.

 

Today I checked my diff fluids and transfer case. Transfer case was full, oozing out when plug clear hole. Truck was on level ground. The rear diff was about 1/2" below bottom of fill hole so I topped it off. The front diff took 0.5 quarts but only holds 1.6 per manual. I could barely get my pinky in fluid. I only have 315 miles on truck and prob only 3 miles in 4 WD. But I am upset the front was 30% low. I complained to Toyota Corporate today and got a case number. I have not been driving truck much due to not trusting it has had critical fluids installed. To me this is unacceptable. They have no peer review, no independent check. Either at factory or dealer.

 

lol i just took my 16 TRD OR DCSB in because i heard a grinding noise when my rear diff locked. turns our i was just shy of a full 1 qrt of fluid!

 

Rock, will my front diff be damaged being half quart low? Only 315 miles with 3 off road. I don't think it should be. Correct me but if I had manual hubs they only need lubrication when in use. But with the automatic hubs , do they need constant lubrication?

 

2013 SR5 2.7l just changed out my diffs, measured oil out of rear was 2.65-2.70 quarts,should have been 3.12 quarts from factory

 

I agree. I am just saying since the front drive shafts turn all the time the proper fill of front diff is more critical than manual hubs

 

The fluid effectively acts as a coolant when the diff is transmitting power. (There's about 11% frictional loss in the ring & pinion gearset which must be dissipated as heat.) In 2WD, the diff is not transmitting power, so heat generated is minimal and having low fluid shouldn't cause any harm. You have a good 5 years / 60,000 miles to find out if I'm right. That's Toyota's "check and balance" against manufacturing defects - the powertrain warranty.

 

My diff was 1qt low. It was howling at 50/60 mph. Diff was replaced by Toyota at 6500 miles.....

 

What's with all the low fluids in the 2016?

 

^But the rear axle U-bolts are now torqued higher than 37 ft-lbs, right?

 

For the transfer case I am having a hard time finding SAE 75W. Most that I find our

$26 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90.

Any advice?

 

My parts guy at dealer said either buy from Toyota or use Mobil 1

$26 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90 Synthetic. The LS designation is suitable for either mechanical limited slip or non- mechanical limited slip diffs. Spec GL5

 

subbing to this for later on. I'll probably check mine eventually to make sure. Also, may want to have you tranny fluid checked as well since your concerned with all of the critical fluid levels. Chances are, you'll be 0.5-1.0 quarts low as well on that. Maybe you'll be an odd ball and be lucky to have a full transmission, but I wouldn't hold my breath on it if I were you.

 

Had that done at Dealer last Friday at their cost. Tech was very familiar with procedure, gave me copy. He checked for slight drop thru overflow tube at 113 F. Said was full. I thought about adding 4 oz just for good feeling. I was hesitant about placing a wire across the 4 and 13 terminals and doing myself. No symptoms in tranny.

 

Sounds good. A few people are saying theirs is fine, but there are alot, mine included, where it has been low.

 

Well if you had symptoms, it is the first thing to check. In my case I had no symptoms, but if I tow something or get some miles on it who knows. One concern is that it could be low but not show symptoms for a while, but degrading the tranny. It comes down to a trust issue. I have a case number for the front diff being 1/2 quart low, while sure no damage was done because I only had 3 miles on it in 4 WD. But if I had not checked it for 30,000 miles - what then? I find it unacceptable that a 4 WD vehicle can be built and sold with critical fluids being low? I don't get that. I plan on pushing the issue. If the factory will not have procedures in place to prevent it (independent check) then PDI should check them all.

 

is used 75w90 in my transfer and front diff 2013 sr5

 

I used Redline 75w85 GL5 in my rear diff the stuff had the consistency of Orange Gatorade and used 75w90 in the front and transfer it was like Maple syrup . The 75w85 seems really thin compared to the 75w90 quite noticeably.