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136k and my diff is toast. I don't drag race or do burnouts. But I do drive from San Diego to NJ and back every year since 2020. I am in the canyons a lot. The diff was serviced 60k miles ago with Amsoil. I am surprised it went out with no warnings. On the highway cruising around 75 mph then BAM!! Huge clunk noise and vibrations. I pulled over immediately and got a tow home. I pulled the mag plug and yup.
Last edited by NotnFsport; Jan 5, 2024 at 03:46 PM.
It just needs the center section cleaned out. New bearings, seals, and gears - not too terribly expensive at all compared to pulling the whole unit and replacing it with another TVD unit. I definitely wouldn't entertain that idea. But it's still going to be close to a couple grand depending on how much you have done vs. how much you pay to have done. The really good news is the TVD clutches should be OK still.
I'd be a little concerned about this from a maintenance perspective. I've never had a failure like this. It makes me wonder if the diff was properly serviced, and if they actually used the oil they were given.
Another thought is the possibility one of the seals to a TVD clutch failed and contaminated the center section with WS ATF. That oil is definitely not good enough for a differential gearset.
It just needs the center section cleaned out. New bearings, seals, and gears - not too terribly expensive at all compared to pulling the whole unit and replacing it with another TVD unit. I definitely wouldn't entertain that idea. But it's still going to be close to a couple grand depending on how much you have done vs. how much you pay to have done. The really good news is the TVD clutches should be OK still.
I'd be a little concerned about this from a maintenance perspective. I've never had a failure like this. It makes me wonder if the diff was properly serviced, and if they actually used the oil they were given.
Another thought is the possibility one of the seals to a TVD clutch failed and contaminated the center section with WS ATF. That oil is definitely not good enough for a differential gearset.
I was there when he serviced it with the Amsoil I provided. I drained the lh and rh tv units and the fluid looked good. I looked, not deeply, but where could I find parts numbers for the diff gears/bearings etc? I'm doing the removal/replacement myself.
Sad to say, I am terribly mistaken. There are no internal parts listed for the TVD besides the pinion shaft bearings and seals. No gears, no spool, no side bearings, and no option to buy the center section by itself.
I am pretty confident these parts are not unique to the TVD and in all likelihood are no different than the parts in a non-TVD diff, but there's no way to be sure without buying a spare diff and swapping parts. The other option is to abandon the TVD and put in a standard diff. You'd need a complete diff and axles to do this (this is what I would do if it were mine, I'm no fan of the TVD after installing the OS Giken spool in my IS F).
I wish it weren't so, but the service manual says if there is any problem with the gearset, replace the entire unit. My parts breakdown doesn't show individual internals like the rest of the Lexus diffs. Very weird and frustrating for sure.
Looking over the bushing I did find the passenger subframe bushing was cracked and the driver's side was completely destroyed. I pushed it out with no force with my finger.
I am now seriously worried I might have something brewing up, I need my bushings checked as I am feeling a slight thump on downshifts from time to time.
Looking over the bushing I did find the passenger subframe bushing was cracked and the driver's side was completely destroyed. I pushed it out with no force with my finger.
Not sure who did your diff fluid service? Even if not Lexus, I would call Lexus customer care, file a case number. Send them pics and let this be documented. Don't really know if other not posting on CL in the world have experienced this same problem. There are a very few limited amount of Lexus with this Factory diff, including the RC F also correct?
Based off of documented problems this is how they start Lexus Customer Support Free replacement repair campaigns they sent out to Owners. The more documented the more they look at it. My guess would be that the very function of that TVD escalates the wear to create something like this happening. I also would guess that bushing was likely the start of the problem or the result?
Dumb question but, should this be a concern? My GS is the road trip queen and I rarely beat on it, drive in ECO on commutes etc. Is this the cars Achilles heel?
Sad to say, I am terribly mistaken. There are no internal parts listed for the TVD besides the pinion shaft bearings and seals. No gears, no spool, no side bearings, and no option to buy the center section by itself.
I am pretty confident these parts are not unique to the TVD and in all likelihood are no different than the parts in a non-TVD diff, but there's no way to be sure without buying a spare diff and swapping parts. The other option is to abandon the TVD and put in a standard diff. You'd need a complete diff and axles to do this (this is what I would do if it were mine, I'm no fan of the TVD after installing the OS Giken spool in my IS F).
I wish it weren't so, but the service manual says if there is any problem with the gearset, replace the entire unit. My parts breakdown doesn't show individual internals like the rest of the Lexus diffs. Very weird and frustrating for sure.
This diagram is from an RCF TVD unit parts breakdown. If a RCF TVD and GSF TVD can be swapped between cars then this part number, 41201, should work for the GSF? When you input that part number it shows it is not for the GSF but that doesn't make sense because the RCF TVD can go into a GSF and vice versa.
This diagram is from an RCF TVD unit parts breakdown. If a RCF TVD and GSF TVD can be swapped between cars then this part number, 41201, should work for the GSF? When you input that part number it shows it is not for the GSF but that doesn't make sense because the RCF TVD can go into a GSF and vice versa.
The ring gear for final drive ratio is probably different between the models.
According to parts.lexus.com for rc f it's possible somehow to buy TVD guts, there are also 2 diagrams, one of them is the same as for gs f. When browsing the other one, with 41201 listed, you will find a section 'what it fits', gs f is in there... complete unit is the same for both, 4110029005 (msrp is a joke or mistake btw, right? Would't this be an alternative for you https://www.amayama.com/en/part/toyota/4110029005 ?). Gs f is not mentioned, however, under details of 41201.. But shouldn't these parts be exactly the same for both cars when they sit deep inside the unit??
..holding my fingers crossed for you.. good luck!
@NotnFsport sorry to hear that man, crazy that it went out with no warning at 138k. I just got my diff serviced on my GSF at 60ish k miles & also used Amsoil. That road trip equates to roughly 5k miles total per trip? Lol curious about your MPG
Diff said goodbye
