brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

Lexus dealer charged me a bit LESS for the trans flush and rear diff fluid. They also told me that you cannot access the front diff to change that fluid without major mechanical effort.

For what it is worth.

Sodium

That's interesting, the fluid looks clean for being original diff fluid. When I changed my rear diff fluid at 95,000 (it was the original fluid), it was as black as the lungs of a 19th century coal miner. Of course, this could be down to the fact that 100% of the power goes through my rear diff vs. 30% for your front diff

Oh and if you got the car used, do you know if the previous owner had the front diff serviced or fluid changed at any point? I assume that the procedure for replacing front diff fluid is the same as for the rear diff: open fill and drain bolts –> drain old fluid –> put back drain bolt –> pump in new fluid until it starts dribbling out of fill hole. My first thought when I saw your pics was that the diff just hadn't been cleaned very well after the last step. It may just be best to clean off the diff, then check it every couple days and see if the fluid comes back.

Probably the first time in recorded history that this has been said

Do you recall how much did they want for it?

brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

They didn't even quote me, told me to forget it, since it wasn't leaking. They charged me $300 for the trans flush and read diff service.

Sodium

Lol that doesn't sound like good advice – diff fluid is changed to protect the gears (fluid gets depleted of the extreme pressure additives and other additives as it ages) and should be changed at a regular interval irrespective of a leak.

brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

For sure. That said, as I understand it, the front diff is very lightly stressed, as it mostly goes along for the ride. In other words, it only is used to transmit force when the AWD needs to be activated.

In any event, if they won't do it, I likely won't either.

Sodium

Interesting, I wasn't aware that it wasn't active full-time!

Yeah I believe the engine has to be lifted up a few inches to get access to the front diff fill bolt.

Othic

Interesting. I've never had any issue servicing the front diff. I guess their techs don't have a swivel head ratchet. They lied to you my friend.

xbladex00

you're right it does look a little light for a 80k mile car at that time. true that it only does work 30% of the time but I live in a snow area so maybe it activates more than it needs? sometimes i do try and power out

xbladex00

So, I finally got it into the shop and the guy said based on the red filler, my diff has been opened before apparently. The mechanic says that the seals were just going bad due to wear and tear and that its most likely normal.

My car is at 100k miles spotted this problem at around like maybe 90K?

Ever since the job was done I have gotten rid of the vibration problems from 2nd and 3rd gear around 1500 RPM when throttling very slightly.

COST: 900$ since it took the job about 8 hours.

I also got the mechanic to flush my tranny fluid!!!