4wd Rx330 transmission fluid drain & fill
Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: VA
Well today I go ahead and replaced transmission fluid with filter and rear differential,transfer case fluids too. I didn't do myself but went my friends auto shop and they did for 150 bucks. It's a lot work to remove a transmission pan, because one row of bots located in the tight space, right above part of the engine frame. They have drained 5 qt and filled with 5 qt, oil filter (yes it was a filter, but not a screen as Toyota advertised to me) was dirty and very dark. Some metal (small particles) was on a bottom of the pan from gear body, I think. I filled with Toyota transmission oil, because I'm afraid if trans failed , I will blame oil, at least it's special Toyota oil. The transfer case and rear differential were filled with Royal Purple 75W-80. It's a best gear oil in market and specially design for trucks, so RX is almost truck too.
Driver
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: bc
I suggest Royal Purple:
http://www.royalpurple.com/transmission-fluid.html
or if you want something slightly less expensive, then redline:
http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=51&pcid=9
amsoil is like Fram of oil filters, crap. Royal purple is pretty close to the best stuff you can get aside from going with race fluids.
how many liters of tranny fluid does our cars take? anyone knw? Im looking to doing a full flush as well, i am at 62k kms
Last edited by action; Jun 20, 2010 at 03:03 AM.
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: IL
Don't get the front confused. For the RX 330 the transmission uses different fluid than the front trans-axel. The transmission uses T-IV fluid and the front trans-axel uses API GL-5 80W-90 or 90w gear oil depending on your climate, same as the rear differential fluid. Both take 1 quart. The transmission uses 3.7 quarts of fluid. Probably a little less if you don't do a full flush, just a drain. I used Royal Purple 75W-90 gear oil in both front and rear differentials when I changed them.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
Don't get the front confused. For the RX 330 the transmission uses different fluid than the front trans-axel. The transmission uses T-IV fluid and the front trans-axel uses API GL-5 80W-90 or 90w gear oil depending on your climate, same as the rear differential fluid. Both take 1 quart. The transmission uses 3.7 quarts of fluid. Probably a little less if you don't do a full flush, just a drain. I used Royal Purple 75W-90 gear oil in both front and rear differentials when I changed them.
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: IL
Yes, front transfer case and rear differential both use gear oil. From reading some of the threads it look liked some people thought the transmission and front transfer case used the same fluid since they were hooked together.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,397
Likes: 453
From: GA
There are only 2 drain plugs underneath. 1 for oil and 1 for the transmission.
The one that uses a HEX is the one for the tranny (it is further back than the oil sump). I believe it is a 10 MM HEX wrench that you need.
The one that uses a HEX is the one for the tranny (it is further back than the oil sump). I believe it is a 10 MM HEX wrench that you need.
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: CO
Initially found this thread which lead me to the huge write up on the RX300. But figured I would repost what pics and info I have to contribute regarding doing the front and rear diff flushes on my 04 RX330 AWD...
Thanks to this thread, it was my reference when doing the front and rear diffs oil and transmission fluid on my 04 RX330 AWD this weekend. I also did brake fluid, cabin filter, air filter, oil change, cleaned maf sensor, flushed brake fluid and rotated tires. The power steering whines a little bit when starting up ice cold in cold weather for a couple minutes when being turned, am planning on flushing power steering fluid next and hope that reconciles that issue. Just bought the car a little under a year ago for my fiance' and it was in need of some service. Below are pics I took mainly showing how I was able to crack loose the drain bolt on the front diff and how I filled each diff with their respective fluid using an essentially industrial soap dispenser found and o-reily auto parts.
Rear Diff Was a piece of cake, justed needed a 10mm hex socket, always remove the filler bolt first because if you can't get that removed you will not be able to put fluid back in resulting in a tow. Also I picked up crushable washers for the drain bolt on the rear diff, front diff and transmission fluid.
Front Diff Was more difficult than the rear. Removing the fill bolt wasn't bad but cracking drain bolt loose was a little more difficult. I sprayed the trusted pb blaster on the drain bolt. With the exhaust in the way there wasn't enough clearance for me to fit a ratchet and 24mm socket on it. So I had to use closed side of wrench with an attachment I got from harbor freight that allows me to connect the socket to it. Had just enough clearance to fit that in there and break the bolt loose.
Just showing how I routed the hose from the bottle of oil to the front diff fill hole...
I didn't take pics of draining the transmission fluid as its comparable to doing an oil change just need that 10mm hex socket to remove the tranny drain bolt. Hope this helps someone out in the future.
Rear Diff Was a piece of cake, justed needed a 10mm hex socket, always remove the filler bolt first because if you can't get that removed you will not be able to put fluid back in resulting in a tow. Also I picked up crushable washers for the drain bolt on the rear diff, front diff and transmission fluid.
Front Diff Was more difficult than the rear. Removing the fill bolt wasn't bad but cracking drain bolt loose was a little more difficult. I sprayed the trusted pb blaster on the drain bolt. With the exhaust in the way there wasn't enough clearance for me to fit a ratchet and 24mm socket on it. So I had to use closed side of wrench with an attachment I got from harbor freight that allows me to connect the socket to it. Had just enough clearance to fit that in there and break the bolt loose.
Just showing how I routed the hose from the bottle of oil to the front diff fill hole...
I didn't take pics of draining the transmission fluid as its comparable to doing an oil change just need that 10mm hex socket to remove the tranny drain bolt. Hope this helps someone out in the future.
Driver
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 62
Likes: 13
From: NY
Great pictures of the transfer case oil change. I received an email from Lexus Parts East about the transmission filter.
The "filter" is only a metal strainer and seldom are they replaced. The pan gasket is #35168-21011, strainer #35330-08010 and strainer gasket #90080-30077. To drop the pan and replace the strainer you would use approx. 6qts possibly less.
The "filter" is only a metal strainer and seldom are they replaced. The pan gasket is #35168-21011, strainer #35330-08010 and strainer gasket #90080-30077. To drop the pan and replace the strainer you would use approx. 6qts possibly less.
Last edited by compdr59; Jan 31, 2012 at 05:44 PM.
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