matts6887

I just went for a oil change at approx 146000 miles and when the shop did a inspection on the vehicle they said the trans fluid and the diff fluid were both dark and discolored. Is there a easy way to replace these? I ask because the shop wants 165 for the trans fluid exchange and 90 for each of the diffs.

fastnoypi

both are in the stickys.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...er-change.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...-case-diy.html

not hard but could be tedious and messy. Not be be facetious but if you needed a shop to do your oil change, this job is not for you.

I'm not sure the going rate for the whole drivetrain drain/fill..but 90 per diff is a rip off for removing and replacing 4 plugs with a place with a lift. It should be included with the price of the trans fluid change plus 2 quarts fluid.

salimshah

Matt:

There is a DIY for the diff and sticky on the trans.

Salim

matts6887

Fast; the only reason why i wouldnt attempt doing oil changes on my own is because hoa's such as the one where I live frown big time on people doing work outside of your own garage. That and the fact my garage is not very big at all even though it has space for 2 cars it does not allow for a lot of "movement" under and around the vehicle due to space confinements. That and the fact that I just dont have all the mechanics tools in the world like some people do. I may have no choice but to go back to the shop to get it done because they have the facilities to take care of these items. I just cant afford close to 300 bucks for both of these services at the moment as i just do not have the revolving bank account for it so to speak.But I dont think i have any other choice

fastnoypi

Matt, we've had this discussion before. Not to be mean, but what advice would you have expected to do the service easier when you can't do an oil change at your own place? HOA rules are one thing, but a 2 car garage is plenty of room to work in if you manage the space for a few hours and pull out one car. I'm sure you have some friends that have a driveway to use and can locate jackstands and a jack for you. As far as tools go, you probably already have the 2 sockets needed and 10mm allen key to get the job done. What about your sister's husband you used to speak of, to give you a hand?

RX300CE

Are you willing to get your hands dirty ? if you're handyman you can do anything, if you're not forget it, take your car to the shop pay for parts + labor simple as that .

AnthonyMtz

Now, now, everyone settle down, now remember we are here to help one another, not judge. You either like what he say's or you don't, keep the negativity to yourself's, he just asked for advice, not to be bashed for going to get his oil changed.

fastnoypi

No one is bashing him for getting his oil changed or judging him. Advice was given on his pointed question for a DIY service without paying the shop premium and based on the OP's past posts on his tight budget.

Just pointing out again that he has plenty of options and support if he reaches out to friends for this job which is not difficult. 300 dollars that would otherwise go to a shop could pay for a good jack and stands that would pay themselves 100x over in the long run (if none were available to borrow) ..and have decent amount of cash left over.

I have confidence that he can do the job himself and that he may be underestimating his abilities.

trhs75

I can identify with the problems of limited space and the homeowners association issues. I found that taking one car out of the garage, and driving the "serviced" car in at a slight angle gave me plenty of room. Fortunately, a few simple tools and those jack stands will do the trick. You'll find more and more uses for them as time goes on. Fortunately, the weather in Arizona will always be on your side. I agree that this is something you probably can do very easily, but the biggest benefit I get is the satisfaction for having done it. Good luck, whatever you decide to do!

matts6887

Well I have not done anything yet as Ive also had other things on my plate so to speak. But I will have to get it done at some point soon one way or the other. Not totally sure what Im gonna do and which direction im gonna head in yet.

matts6887

I would ask my sisters husband to help me out w it but the biggest problem there is he works everyday and is busy w family on the weekends as he has his wife and daughter to attend to; so its almost impossible to get it done w his help. I do have one other source that I might turn to to get it done. I havent talked to him yet about it but i may contact him.

carguy07

Just buy the materials and pay a mechanic in the hood $50-$100 to do them. It's maybe an hour to change all 3.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

If they just top off the diff, that should be next to nothing. If they flush out the old fluid then it's going to be more. They should do the front diff when they do the trans as the front diff uses transmission fluid. You should probably change the transfer case fluid, too. Is your rear diff a limited slip? If so you need the correct additive for the (Torsen) diff.

Doesn't sound like your shop is charging any less than the Lexus dealer!

matts6887

Well I finally got it done. Trans fluid flushed and refilled; done. Diff fluid in both diffs; done. Even though I know you guiys say its not good to do a complete flush it was done anyway because I was told by "other sources"(a toytoa source thats been around a very long time and another rx local group) that its ok to do a flush because thats what toyota would recommend.

salimshah

I hope for your sake that you prove us wrong. I still stand for "no machine/power flush" for trans.

Salim