xis

We bought our 04 RX330 AWD completely loaded a few years back from a local Lexus dealership. The first day we had it home and the first day it was started cold, it put out a puff of smoke... Since it is my wife's, she didn't notice it (but my younger son did!) When I came home from work and started it, there was no smoke (it was warm)
So.... I started it the next morning before work and confirmed the smoke. Called the Stealership and left it there overnight so they could start it cold. They also confirmed the smoke and offered to repair at no charge (valve repair). While they were in there at 65K, we had them also change the timing belt. Glad I did because we are at 95K now...

So, other than that no-charge repair, we also had to replace the power steering rack and high pressure power steering hose. It wasn't cheap... I also had them do a full 12qt ATF fluid replacement back then (75K)

The ATF fluid still looks clean as a whistle, but the car does seem to slip now and then either between 1st and 2nd, or 2nd and 3rd... It has always had a very slight waa-waa-waa-waa sound to it when the gas is barely applied and it is between 30-40mph. Some can't even hear it (but I can!) Stealership said that was 'normal'.

Due to the brake system recall we had a year or two ago, the brake fluid still looks clean too.

So, the power steering fluid is relatively new, the ATF fluid looks good, the brake fluid looks good too...

I don't know if the previous owner ever changed the front or rear differential fluids?
Same with the transfer case fluid (althought I don't even really know what that is!)

I have been changing the oil since we got it with full synthetic.


Here is my question (finally!!)
I am assuming I should at least have both differential fluids and the transfer case fluid changed.
Does $195 sound decent for that?

Do you think those are the only fluids that I should be changing now?


Thank you all for your help!

Adamjeeps

If you are planning to keep the vehicle for awhile longer, $195 doesn't sound too bad. Is this a dealer quote? What kind of fluid would they be using?

Seems like the only thing left to consider would be a coolant flush/change.

ycl1688

my rx330 2006 has only transfer and rear differential basically it is one piece shaft.
if you read your manual it should let you know 80w-90 gear oil, if you are handy enough,
I believe you change your own oil, you are good with the transfer and rear differential
fluid change. $195 sound too high.
Here is the breakdown of my fluid change transfer oil 1 quart for $8. rear diff another $8.
Amsol sells maybe higher synthetic though.
The fluid change process is easy for the rear diff, it is 24mm socket for both fill and drain,
make sure you unscrew the fill plug first make sure you are able to fill the fluid, then the
drain plug unscrew, fill the fluid just like you are doing an oil change.
same procedure for the transfer case in front, the plugs are tight make sure you have the
shallow socket to get the fill plug.
with the socket if you have to buy it then total more or less under $60, should you need the drain
plugs and gasket change, for the toyota parts number The Transfer Fill Plug (90341-18057)
The Transfer Fill Gasket (12157-10011)
The Transfer Drain Plug (90341-18072)
The Transfer Drain Gasket (12157-10011)
The Rear Differential Fill Plug (90341-18035)
The Rear Differential Fill Gasket (12157-10011)
The Rear Differential Drain Plug (90341-18032)
The Rear Differential Drain Gasket (12157-10011)

dcdyd

The front differential is connected to transmission and uses ATF. So when you change TAF, front differential fluid gets changed also.

xis

Thanks for the info, everyone. The shop ended up changing these 3 fluids for just $140, and they also replaced my front pads with OEM for just another $100... amazing deal.