Looking for anyone who has replaced a whole rear differential [not rebuild] on an RX350, I searched the forum and Google, but only found information on the fluid change. My differential is worn [making the buzzing noise] and not broken...yet.. so I am being proactive and replacing it before it does rear damage. If I do replace it, I will post the pics and steps for everyone else here to enjoy. thanks in advance

 

Take a look in the Highlander forum, especially their sticky forums on repairs and maintenance. It is a mechanical twin. It should not be that hard with the independent suspension. Did you price a used one at Rancho Lexus used parts? Or eBay? That is rare for one to fail. How many miles and did you tow a lot or run out of fluid?

Here is a link http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/12...ion-2008-2013/

 

The process is pretty generic [just look up rear wheel drive vehicles]. The nuts and bolts are going to be really tight and need to be torqued high at the end. Being exposed they can be really stuck. Some of the nuts and bolts are welded [only one is moveable, so use plenty of light to see which one would budge.

Have you drained to see if there are any particles?

Salim

 

First first of all thank you for the awesome link. I purchase the vehicle used and it had close to a hundred 197000 miles . However, it has been serviced since it was born by Lexus. I'm not sure what kind of driver used it. I'll look into Ranch Lexus. The price was quoted by Toyota in Colorado Springs, I calculated the low in estimate based upon the price of a new complete differential and installing it myself.

 

Great reply thank you, especially about the nuts and bolts. When I drained and filled it last week there was only a mild sludge on the magnetic drain bolt, no chunks or broken pieces. There is an old YouTube video that shows exactly what I have going on, just not as bad yet: https://youtu.be/PUZf8LjixhY

 

So I am assuming that there is only one model version for the 2010 RX350 based on the information and link?

 

Here is a link as I wrote Ranch instead of Rancho http://www.rancholexusrecycling.com/

I am sure there is only one available differential for the RX350. The folks at Rancho will know exactly what you need and what fits, i.e: if a Highlander or Sienna one will fit (I bet they are all the same)

I would just fill it with synthetic gear lube and keep driving until it failed as that could be years from now. Have you asked a professional mechanic for an opinion on life expectancy?
I had an ancient BMW in college with a loud whining differential and it ran fine until it got totaled by a drunk.

 

So I followed your advice and called Rancho, who referred me to TLS which had the part.

Thank you all for the help and let me return the favor; here is all my data/pics/video so far [I will post more when we do the job in 1-2 weeks]

1. 2010 RX 350 has only one rear diff model that is also the same [as you pointed out] as the highlander and sierra: Lexus RX350 2010-2017 Carrier Assembly #32652775 , 440-50560
2. when purchasing this unit I found that the price included shipping 500+175 [shipping]= $675; however, there is mention of a 50$ lift fee for heavier items like engine blocks & transmissions if no forklift is available at delivery location.
3. You can request at the time of purchase [over the phone] that you would like to pick it up at a shipping hub [save a few bucks]
4. most units from TLS were around 5500 low miles
5. while I wait for the replacement differential, I put 85w-140 gear oil in the worn out one; this seems to have lowered the sound about 28%
6. the humming noise on the video is from the differential [ignore the background hiss from the air compressor] sorry for the poor quality but it wouldn't upload without the reduction

 

Rubin:

You may like to replace the input and output seals.

Salim

 

2017 Highlander Toyota Rear Differential

Rear Differential 41110-48104

Our Part Number:334459
Year:2017
Make:Toyota
Model:Highlander
Condition:Used - A Grade [5500 miles]

*No one local has the axle seals; had to order through toyota at only 15$/each

 

The oil coming out of that rear diff looks pretty bad. Makes you wonder if the rear diff oil ever got replaced by the Lexus dealership at any stage, even though it's got all the servicing done by them.

Hope it's not one of those "lifetime" gear oil scenarios, never needing to be replaced.

 

***UPDATE WITH CRITICAL INFO****

So we received the rear diff for a 2010 RX350 which is also used for a Toyota Highlander series....BUT....even though the differential is the EXACT part number, the highlander series has slightly smaller axle diameter so the new axle seals not fit & they will not seal.

So make sure if you get a rear differential that the seals match your axle BEFORE you reserve a lift like I did, even if the rear carrier differential model/part number matches exactly.

....waiting on the correct seals and then I will post the removal and install

 

The removal and install was easy enough to enjoy a few beers
1. Lift the car rear end high up to a comfortable position [safety measures assumed]
2. remove the two rear bolts on the dampener plate
3. remove wheels
4. remove ABS sensor cables [I didn't; they were old and both broke internally at the sensor head] [ 250$ each if you go through Toyota; which I did] [Lexus was 350$ each]
5. see manual for removing axles [it's just a few big bolts so use PB Blaster a day before to help removal] [impact drive is your friend]
6. drop muffler by disconnecting a few rubber hangers [this is a good "beer break" point as its easy and well..... its beer]
7. disconnect driveshaft to diff by removing the 4 bolts [notice where the 2 hole indentations are on the replacement differential, you will match up to those later]
8. remove 3 of the 4 carriage bolts that hold the diff up
9. put jack under diff and lower as you remove the last bolt
....and that's really all there is to it, I was surprised how easy this job was being just a backyard mechanic.

*Total time with friend 4 to 5 hours taking our time on a sunny day
Just follow in reverse what you did to install and rear ABS sensors for 2010 RX350 from Toyota

MAKE SURE YOU PUT NEW SEALS IN YOUR REPLACEMENT DIFFERENTIAL
BLUE LOCK-TIGHT ON EVERYTHING [per the old mechanic at Toyota]
1/2 QUART OF SYNTHETIC GEAR OIL 75W-90

below are the pics to the parts so you can save $$$$$$$$





rear differential axle seals for 2010 RX350 from Toyota

 

And how was the drive afterwards?

Good to know your job went well. Did you torque stuff to spec? Lexus has very few places where they call for thread lock paste.

Salim

 

The the drive afterwards was buttery smooth. I was surprised at how quiet it was, I didn't realize it had made that much noise until it was gone. I was very bad and didn't torque anything, I just put blue Loctite like the old mechanic said on everything including the drain and fill bolt just to be crazy. The only thing I kind of spec'd out was tightening the driveshaft bolts in a Criss-Cross pattern, but I doubt even that was necessary.