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We just got a 2017 RX350 with about 28K miles. We want to change the rear differential fluid, but unfortunately, we never get to see any of ViktorG's videos. Sharing a few pictures and information in case anyone finds them useful.
We did not jack up the RX350. I use a creeper to get under the RX350 to remove the Fill and the Drain bolts. The washer or gasket part number is 12157-10010. The Lexus dealer sold them for $1.78 each. We got four washers/gaskets for the rear differential and the transfer case. We got two Mobil 1 75W-90 Gear Lubricant LS: Synthetic. The rear differential and the transfer case each use about 0.8 of a quart. We use a 10mm Hex 3/8 rachet from Habor Freight to remove the Fill and the Drain bolt. The Slippery Pete Fluid Pump for Quart Bottles - Transfer Gear Oil, Transmission, and Differential Fluid made filling the rear differential very easy with lots of control and reach.
At 28K, the fluid seems already yellow. The drain bolt's magnet appears to have a lot of black slimy gear mud. Pretty happy that the fluid was changed to a lighter or more clear fluid.
Since this was my first time with this SUV, I took my time, and it took about an hour.
Drain Bolt with Black Slimy Gear Mud at 28K miles Light Yellow Rear Differential Fluid at 28K miles To get to the Fill and the Drain bolt starting from the driver side rear and head toward the center To get to the Fill and the Drain bolt, go further toward the center of the RX350 Bottom and focused drain hole is on the bottom Top is the fill hole
Since there is already a few pictures and instruction in this thread about the transfer case, I will briefly share my experience in case it helps someone.
For the transfer case, I used two washers/gaskets from the Lexus dealer with part numbers 12157-10010 for $1.78 each. The fluid used was Mobil 1 75W-90 Gear Lubricant LS: Synthetic. About 0.8 quarts were used in total. A Slippery Pete Fluid Pump for Quart Bottles (Transfer Gear Oil, Transmission, and Differential Fluid) was used, which made it extremely easy to fill the gear fluid. I had a deep 6-point 24mm deep socket, and I used that with a 25-inch breaker bar to loosen the Drain bolt. With the breaker bar, it was very easy to loosen the Drain bolt. The only thing that was available locally was a CRAFTSMAN Metric 1/2-in Drive 24mm 6-point Impact Socket from Lowes, so we got that to remove the Fill bolt since the socket was shorter and would fit into the Fill bolt area. I wanted a 6-point socket to avoid rounding the bolt head. Just go near the passenger side wheel and squeeze the 1/2-inch rachet to one of the suspension bars from above to loosen the bolt. The front of the RX350 was on car ramps, and the back was jacked up with four standing jacks in four corners as a safety backup. The car was leveled using a leveler at the car's seams. The whole job took an hour.
At 28K miles, the fluid color was light yellow, with the drain bolt having a bit of black slimy gear mud. We are glad we change the fluid. My sister's RX350 is at 88K. It is regularly serviced by the Lexus dealership but still did not even have any of the gear fluid changed yet.
Some pictures, especially the location of the drain bolt, to help folks locate the bolt. Also, including a picture of the fluid pump that was extremely useful for us.
Fill and Drain Bolts. Black Slimy Gear Mud and Yellow Gear Fluid at 28k Miles Slippery Pete Fluid Pump for Quart Bottles (Transfer Gear Oil, Transmission, and Differential Fluid) is Extremely useful Bolt Location Bolt Location Bolt Location
I will add to consider using the Valvoline full synthetic gear oil that comes in a squishy bag. They are very convenient to use. You wont need a pump. I don't recall if I needed a piece of tubing.
Edit, just saw I posted similar in post #20. And, I used a short 3/8" ID clear tubing - cheap at home depot or lowes.
Last edited by chuyrobles; Apr 30, 2023 at 10:41 AM.
