DIY Front & Rear Differential Fluid Change Guide for 2024+ Tacomas

[andrewleader]

Quick Reference

Schedule

• 15,000 miles or 18 months if "driving while towing, using a car-top carrier, or heavy vehicle loading"
  • Otherwise, says to just inspect every 15,000 / 18 months

Front Differential
Approx 1.6 quarts of 75W-85 oil

Bolt	Tool	Torque Specs	Crush Washer Part #
Fill Bolt	10mm hex bit	29 ft‑lbs (348 in‑lbs)	12157‑10010
Drain Bolt	10mm hex bit	48 ft‑lbs (576 in‑lbs)	90430‑24017

Rear Differential
Approx 4.2 quarts of 75W-85 oil

Bolt	Tool	Torque Specs	Crush Washer Part #
Fill Bolt	24mm socket	36 ft‑lbs (432 in‑lbs)	12157‑10010
Drain Bolt	24mm socket	36 ft‑lbs (432 in‑lbs)	12157‑10010

Crush Washer Orientation: Smooth side toward the differential housing; rounded/seamed side toward the bolt head.

Required Parts

• Gear Oil: 75W‑85 full synthetic gear oil, 6 quarts total for front + rear (with 6 qts, I still had extra left over)
  • Preferred product: Amsoil Severe Gear 75W‑85
• Crush Washers:(Toyota part #'s)
  • 3x: 12157‑10010 (2x for rear diff, and 1x for front fill bolt)
  • 1x: 90430‑24017 (front drain bolt)

Required Tools

• Torque wrench that works with the 10mm hex and 24mm socket below
• Socket wrench + extensions
• Breaker wrench that works with the 10mm hex and 24mm socket below
• 10mm hex bit(front diff)
  • These are uncommon, your standard toolset probably doesn't have this
• 24mm socket(rear diff)
  • These are uncommon, your standard toolset probably doesn't have this
• 12mm socket (skid plates)
• Oil drain pan (capacity 6 qt+)
• Rags, gloves, shop towels
• Pump optional — squeeze‑pack oils worked for me
• Tools to lower spare tire (behind rear passenger seat)

Before You Start

• Perform this on level ground.
• Warm the drivetrain with a short drive for easier draining.
• Do not remove a drain bolt until you confirm the fill bolt can be loosened.

FRONT DIFFERENTIAL
Video of front differential change:

1. Remove Skid Plates

• Using a 12mm socket, remove the 8 bolts securing the two skid plates.
  • Support the plates as you remove the final bolts—they can be awkward

2. Loosen Fill Bolt

• Using a 10mm hex bit, break loose the fill bolt first
  • Always loosen the fill bolt before draining... If it’s stuck, you’d be unable to refill the diff
  • Do not fully remove it yet

3. Drain Oil

• Place your oil pan under the differential
• Remove the 10mm hex drain bolt and drain into pan
  • Dark oil with metallic shimmer is normal for diff fluid.
  • Remove the fill bolt to help it drain completely

4. Reinstall Drain Bolt

• Clean the metal sludge off of the magnetic end of the drain bolt
• Replace the old crush washer with #90430‑24017
  • Verify no old washer is stuck on the housing
• Tighten the bolt to 48 ft‑lbs (576 in‑lbs)

5. Fill Oil

• Add ~1.6 qt of 75W‑85 oil in fill hole until the oil slightly weeps out
  • It can be difficult to reach the fill plug, but it's possible to use the 1 qt squeeze pouches (I used those and it worked okay) or you can use a pump

6. Reinstall Fill Bolt

• Replace the old crush washer with #12157‑10010
  • Verify no old washer is stuck on the housing
  • Place smooth side toward the differential housing; rounded/seamed side toward the bolt head
• Tighten the bolt to 29 ft‑lbs (348 in‑lbs)

7. Reinstall Skid Plates

• Using a 12mm socket, reinstall the 8 bolts holding on the two skid plates
  • You'll start by installing the rear skid plate first
  • Torque specs are not necessary, snug them well

REAR DIFFERENTIAL
Video of rear differential change: https://youtu.be/nmftL6F2O0g

1. Lower Spare Tire

• Remove the tool kit from behind the rear passenger seat
• Insert and rotate the tool through the rear bumper port to lower the tire fully, then slide it out

2. Loosen Fill Bolt

• Using a 24mmsocket, break loose the fill bolt first
  • The fill bolt is located high on the rear diff cover
  • Loosen it first to ensure that refill won't be a problem
  • Do not fully remove it yet

3. Drain Oil

• Place your drain pan under the differential
• Remove the 24mmdrain bolt and drain into pan
  • Expect a larger volume than the front (4+ qts)
  • Remove the fill bolt to help it drain completely

4. Reinstall Drain Bolt

• Clean the metal sludge off of the magnetic end of the drain bolt
• Replace the old crush washer with #12157‑10010
  • Verify no old washer is stuck on the housing
  • Place smooth side toward the differential housing; rounded/seamed side toward the bolt head
• Tighten the bolt to 36 ft‑lbs (432 in‑lbs)

5. Fill Oil

• Add ~4.2 qt of 75W‑85 oil in fill hole until the oil slightly weeps out
  • Fill through the upper port using squeeze packets or a pump
    • The rear diff is very easy to refill using squeeze packets
  • The correct level is reached when fluid begins to overflow the fill hole

6. Reinstall Fill Bolt

• Replace the old crush washer with #12157‑10010
  • Verify no old washer is stuck on the housing
  • Place smooth side toward the differential housing; rounded/seamed side toward the bolt head
• Tighten the bolt to 36 ft‑lbs (432 in‑lbs)

7. Reinstall Spare Tire

• Slide the tire back under, align the cable, and crank it up until fully seated
  • Verify it is centered and snug

Final Checks

• Wipe down all components and confirm no leaks.
• Dispose of old gear oil properly (O'Reilly Auto / AutoZone / etc accepts it for free)
• Test drive for several minutes, then recheck for seepage.

Notes & Tips

• If a washer seems missing, it's often stuck to the housing. Remove it gently.
• You can do the entire job without lifting the truck, but lifting improves access.
• Slight metallic fuzz on magnets is normal; chunks are not.

I've also got this guide posted on my website: 4th Gen Toyota Tacoma (2024+) Front & Rear Differential Fluid Change | Taco Tunesday

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