Differential Fluid Recommendations and Questions
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Utah
abs
Actually my street slopes just perfectly so that all I had to do was back the rear of the Lexus up on some car ramps. It sat level with room to work underneath. Their are two issues. First: Having enough room for the breaker bar to swing to break the drain and fill plugs loose. They were on super tight. Fortunately I was able to move them and took them off with a half inch ratchet without pulling out the impact gun. Second: The fill hole is so close to the bottom of the car that I needed a small hand transfer pump to pump the fluid into the filler hole. I had a pump, but if you didn't, one can be purchased for under $10.00. So as stated, start to finish it took about 15 minutes. If I would had to have jacked up the car front and rear to level, then secured on jack stands, it would have taken a bit longer.
Michael
Actually my street slopes just perfectly so that all I had to do was back the rear of the Lexus up on some car ramps. It sat level with room to work underneath. Their are two issues. First: Having enough room for the breaker bar to swing to break the drain and fill plugs loose. They were on super tight. Fortunately I was able to move them and took them off with a half inch ratchet without pulling out the impact gun. Second: The fill hole is so close to the bottom of the car that I needed a small hand transfer pump to pump the fluid into the filler hole. I had a pump, but if you didn't, one can be purchased for under $10.00. So as stated, start to finish it took about 15 minutes. If I would had to have jacked up the car front and rear to level, then secured on jack stands, it would have taken a bit longer.
Michael
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 9
From: MA
Do you plan on having them give you a TBN (measures the amount of active additive left in the oil)? For an additional $10 per test? I'm having them do it on the tranny fluid.
Jim
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 207
Likes: 22
From: CT
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 207
Likes: 22
From: CT
Just replaced my differential fluid today. The dealer checked the service history this morning and claimed I still had the FF (factory fill) at 42k miles. The old stuff came out quite DARK, not black but a far cry from the clear light amber Mobil1 I put in place of it. I saved about 1/2 quart in a clean bottle so I would have a good sample to send off to Blackstone. Also, to get the car level, I backed the car up onto a pair of ramps and then used my jack and jack stands to adjust the front height using a level under the doors on each side of the car. Seemed to work well. Also, when I pulled the fill plug, it wasn't even oily, I suspect the FF was a little low the whole time.
It is going to be tough for me to report any specific driving impressions from the change because today I also changed over to synthetic in the engine (Pennzoil Ultra) and had my new Continental DW tires installed this morning (about 4lbs lighter per corner than the Goodyear RSA they replaced 24 vs. 28). I think my fuel economy should improve from all 3 changes . . .
Andrew
It is going to be tough for me to report any specific driving impressions from the change because today I also changed over to synthetic in the engine (Pennzoil Ultra) and had my new Continental DW tires installed this morning (about 4lbs lighter per corner than the Goodyear RSA they replaced 24 vs. 28). I think my fuel economy should improve from all 3 changes . . .
Andrew
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 9
From: MA
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...id-thread.html
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 7
From: al
The transmission fluid oil analysis of my 05 LS430 is attached to post # 28 in this discussion thread:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...id-thread.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...id-thread.html
thanks for the info on the Tranny - Im glad it was revived - my 05' is hitting 75k and I was questioning the original intent the other day about the "sealed" transmission. I will be sure and get the fluid changed after reading all your postings including the rear differential.
I love this Forum!
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!
Joe Kucinski
10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models
Joe Kucinski
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 764
Likes: 18
From: NY
I still have not done the tranny fluid exchange yet. I also want to do the diff fluid as well. just havent gotten around to it. What exactly does Diff fluid do? I really don't know. Is it detrimental to the functioning of the car if it's old? Are there any performance gains from diff fluid being changed? Or is it just maintenance?
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,810
Likes: 15
From: MI
Update on my 60K service & tranny fluid: my service advisor recommends 100K for the LS430. At least he didn't say never. Unless I encounter an issue, I'll target 100K - or maybe move it up to the 90K service.
They said the 7 year old battery was marginal and I had them replace it.
They said the 7 year old battery was marginal and I had them replace it.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 7
From: al
Update on my 60K service & tranny fluid: my service advisor recommends 100K for the LS430. At least he didn't say never. Unless I encounter an issue, I'll target 100K - or maybe move it up to the 90K service.
They said the 7 year old battery was marginal and I had them replace it.
They said the 7 year old battery was marginal and I had them replace it.
im thinking also at 90k - get it all done in one shot. I can do the TB myself but im sure too take it to the dealer for the tranny fluid change since everything is "sealed" 
and they have the proper tools to flush and fill.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 11
Just got done with this on a 70,000 mile LS430.
Went with Valvoline Synthetic 75-90. Was a tad dismayed to find what appears to be long wood like splintered fragments. No idea what that could be?
Easy task with a pump. I would like to know the proper part # for the crush ring?
Lots of crap on the magnet portion of the plug as well so I am quite concerned. This fluid was supposed to have been changed once before in it's 70K history.
Went with Valvoline Synthetic 75-90. Was a tad dismayed to find what appears to be long wood like splintered fragments. No idea what that could be?
Easy task with a pump. I would like to know the proper part # for the crush ring?
Lots of crap on the magnet portion of the plug as well so I am quite concerned. This fluid was supposed to have been changed once before in it's 70K history.
Last edited by damon; Apr 9, 2012 at 02:37 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 11
So I bagged up the debris I found in a ziploc with a Scott Towel.
As I look again with less oil on them they appear to be Christmas Tree Needles? Is there a vent & where is it located?
There also seemed to be some water present.
Never would have gotten these needles out of the diff without using the hand pump. They actually clogged the pump!
As I look again with less oil on them they appear to be Christmas Tree Needles? Is there a vent & where is it located?
There also seemed to be some water present.
Never would have gotten these needles out of the diff without using the hand pump. They actually clogged the pump!
Last edited by damon; Apr 11, 2012 at 02:20 PM.