All right guys, I know this is a pretty basic maintenance job, but I'm hoping that many new members (not unlike yours truly) will benefit from seeing exactly how to do this and build some confidence in taking care of their baby.
Tools Needed
3/8" Ratchet (a longer handle and flex head can come in handy)
4 1/4 pints of 75W-140 synthetic gear oil (get 3 one quart bottles, the extra won't hurt)
Drain Pan
Shop Towels or a large piece of heavy cardboard
You really shouldn't need a jack or jack stands, even if you're only at stock height. You can simply crawl under the rear bumper. It may be a different story for you lowered guys.
Please note each picture is named to correspond with a step.
Step by Step
Step 1. Locate the Filler Plug
When looking at your rear differential cover, it will be on your right hand side (i.e., toward the passenger side).
Step 2. Remove the Filler Plug
For this, simply use your 3/8" ratchet to loosen and remove the filler plug. There is no need for a socket of any kind. The 3/8" drive will fit perfectly. A long-handled ratchet could be helpful and give you some extra leverage if you find the filler plug is particularly tight.
Step 3. Locate the Drain Plug
The drain plug will be located on the underside of the differential case and will look just like the filler plug.
Step 4. Remove the Drain Plug
At this point, make sure you've placed the drain pan and some shop towels or a decent-sized piece of cardboard directly under the drain plug. The process for removing the drain plug is exactly the same as it was for the filler plug. Use the 3/8" ratchet to remove the plug. And be prepared, if you haven't done this before and you've got some miles on your Titan, gear oil is definitely not the greatest smelling stuff in the world.
Step 5. Drain the Gear Oil
Now that you have the drain plug removed, let the gear oil drain until is basically dripping. While the oil is draining, take a couple of shop towels and clean the drain plug itself. You will notice the top of the plug is magnetic. This is to attract the tiny metal shavings that will develop over time from the friction between the differential gears. A small amount of these metal shavings is normal, so don't panic; however, if the top of your drain plug looks like it has dreadlocks and could be touring with Bob Marley, you may have an issue!
Once the steady flow of oil has stopped and it's barely dripping, reinsert the clean drain plug and tighten it up. You can use a torque wrench if you have one handy. The correct torque specification is 32 ft-lbs. Honestly, I simply make sure it's solid and tight by hand.
Step 6. Fill the Differential Case
Now that you have your old oil drained and the drain plug tightened back up (you did put the plug back in, right?!), it's time to give her some fresh gear oil. It is entirely up to you which brand you use, but make sure the viscosity is 75W-140 and that it's synthetic. Personally, I use Royal Purple in my truck, but again, everyone has their favorite. Just remember: quality counts.
The rear differential requires 4 1/4 pints. Most of the bottles in an auto parts store are 1 quart. One quart equals 2 pints, so it's worth it to just go ahead and pony up for 3 bottles.
Now you simply cut the tip of the bottle, insert it into the filler opening, and pour in the new gear oil. You could also use a pump if you have one available. Another tip is to take a piece of clear fuel hose and put one end into the filler opening and the other on the tip of the bottle, and then simply squeeze.
The differential is full when the gear oil reaches the bottom of the filler opening. The simplest way to know you've got it filled is when the oil starts slowly running out of the opening. Take a look at the photo and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about. You could also use your pinky finger to check the fluid level.
Once you've got the differential case topped off, simply reinsert the filler plug and tighten it up. The correct torque specification is 32 ft-lbs, just as it was for the drain plug. But again, if you get it nice and snug, you should be good to go.
Step 7. Sit Back and Drink a Beer
Congratulations, you've now got another skill added to your repertoire! It's a good feeling being able to do this stuff ourselves, and definitely keeps some coin in our pockets as well. I really hope this "how-to" helped you out. :teethmast
- Athena's Guardian
Tools Needed
3/8" Ratchet (a longer handle and flex head can come in handy)
4 1/4 pints of 75W-140 synthetic gear oil (get 3 one quart bottles, the extra won't hurt)
Drain Pan
Shop Towels or a large piece of heavy cardboard
You really shouldn't need a jack or jack stands, even if you're only at stock height. You can simply crawl under the rear bumper. It may be a different story for you lowered guys.
Please note each picture is named to correspond with a step.
Step by Step
Step 1. Locate the Filler Plug
When looking at your rear differential cover, it will be on your right hand side (i.e., toward the passenger side).
Step 2. Remove the Filler Plug
For this, simply use your 3/8" ratchet to loosen and remove the filler plug. There is no need for a socket of any kind. The 3/8" drive will fit perfectly. A long-handled ratchet could be helpful and give you some extra leverage if you find the filler plug is particularly tight.
Step 3. Locate the Drain Plug
The drain plug will be located on the underside of the differential case and will look just like the filler plug.
Step 4. Remove the Drain Plug
At this point, make sure you've placed the drain pan and some shop towels or a decent-sized piece of cardboard directly under the drain plug. The process for removing the drain plug is exactly the same as it was for the filler plug. Use the 3/8" ratchet to remove the plug. And be prepared, if you haven't done this before and you've got some miles on your Titan, gear oil is definitely not the greatest smelling stuff in the world.
Step 5. Drain the Gear Oil
Now that you have the drain plug removed, let the gear oil drain until is basically dripping. While the oil is draining, take a couple of shop towels and clean the drain plug itself. You will notice the top of the plug is magnetic. This is to attract the tiny metal shavings that will develop over time from the friction between the differential gears. A small amount of these metal shavings is normal, so don't panic; however, if the top of your drain plug looks like it has dreadlocks and could be touring with Bob Marley, you may have an issue!
Once the steady flow of oil has stopped and it's barely dripping, reinsert the clean drain plug and tighten it up. You can use a torque wrench if you have one handy. The correct torque specification is 32 ft-lbs. Honestly, I simply make sure it's solid and tight by hand.
Step 6. Fill the Differential Case
Now that you have your old oil drained and the drain plug tightened back up (you did put the plug back in, right?!), it's time to give her some fresh gear oil. It is entirely up to you which brand you use, but make sure the viscosity is 75W-140 and that it's synthetic. Personally, I use Royal Purple in my truck, but again, everyone has their favorite. Just remember: quality counts.
The rear differential requires 4 1/4 pints. Most of the bottles in an auto parts store are 1 quart. One quart equals 2 pints, so it's worth it to just go ahead and pony up for 3 bottles.
Now you simply cut the tip of the bottle, insert it into the filler opening, and pour in the new gear oil. You could also use a pump if you have one available. Another tip is to take a piece of clear fuel hose and put one end into the filler opening and the other on the tip of the bottle, and then simply squeeze.
The differential is full when the gear oil reaches the bottom of the filler opening. The simplest way to know you've got it filled is when the oil starts slowly running out of the opening. Take a look at the photo and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about. You could also use your pinky finger to check the fluid level.
Once you've got the differential case topped off, simply reinsert the filler plug and tighten it up. The correct torque specification is 32 ft-lbs, just as it was for the drain plug. But again, if you get it nice and snug, you should be good to go.
Step 7. Sit Back and Drink a Beer
Congratulations, you've now got another skill added to your repertoire! It's a good feeling being able to do this stuff ourselves, and definitely keeps some coin in our pockets as well. I really hope this "how-to" helped you out. :teethmast
- Athena's Guardian
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