Transfer Case Actuator Problems - Poll

I am creating a poll in an effort to better understand the failure.

I have read that the Transfer Case manufacturer will not endorse using any fluid except of the Toyota 75W Transfer Case Fluid.
I have read a lot of posts on Tundras.com as well as other places of people using all kinds of different oil.
I have read a lot of posts about actuator problems.

My 2015 suffered from actuator problems at about 100,000 miles. It would not shift out of 4-LO well.
I changed my T-case fluid every 30,000 miles with Mobil 1 75W90 gear oil.
I was not very good about using 4x4 monthly.
I never did get to the bottom of it before the truck was taken from me.

I loved the truck so I purchased another 2.5 Gen and have about 10,000 miles before I have to change the fluid again.

Here is my question:
Year and mileage of your truck?
Have you had actuator problems?
When did the issues start?
What oil have you used and how frequently have you changed it?

 

For 2014 Toyota started using a Borg Warner T-case. This case uses a soft engage clutch similar to the Auto system used by Ford and GM. Nobody really knows what is special about the Toyota fluid but Borg Warner will not certify a different fluid.

 

I voted yes Toyota 75w , but No I don't/didn't have a failure.

So I voted wrong... OOOPS

 

I bet we can fix it. Thank you for letting us know.

 

No problems here, but I am using Ravenol 75W in my transfer case, just did a change at 95k miles, and it shifts more smoothly into/out of 4-HI (haven't tried 4-LO yet but I should, eh?)

 

I have read a bunch of threads. I would like to see if there are failures with all of the fluid options. I suspect that the Toyota fluid is special……. Let’s see if the data talks.

 

Mine worked great in 4-HI. 4-LO was another story. It would not come out. Eventually I was able to coax it back to HI and then to 2.

 

Are you referring to this?

 

You can change your vote now. I fixed that

 

I think so. I assume that is your actuator

 

Mine was replaced around 50k. Was increasingly slower to get out of 4H and it caused a clunk sound to occur when it would transition. My mechanic got warranty to cover it. Was running stock Toyota fluid at the time. I'm now running 75W HPL. No issues.

Odometer is ~75k

 

2018 truck. I’ve changed mine twice. Don’t remember the exact mileage when I did it, but I have 54k now. I used ravenol 75w. No issues. I use the 4wd a lot in winter and hardly any all summer.

 

No problems but seeing VOA I’ll only run the Toyota oil. It has a very unique additive pack. I’ll be doing changes every 60-70k miles. At 80k now - lots of 4lo use and some 4hi.

 

Revoted.

 

36k miles on the Tundra. Filled TC w/ Ravenol just before hitting 30k. It shifts into 4Hi and 4Lo quickly and smoothly.

 

No Problems. Ravenol at 30,000 miles

 

2020 Platinum, changed at 20k with Ravenol 75W, no problems with engagement

 

2016 here 83k , changed once, engage it occasionally in summer , always in winter like now, dealer changed all drive line fluids, 4x4 service, at 75K, synth 75W90.. Never had issue with 4 HI or 4 LO..engagement/ disengagement..

 

I replaced all my fluids over the summer with 75-90 synthetic. Dealers will only use 75W if it is a warranty issue. No problem putting it in or out of 4H or 4L.

 

The million mile Tundras were serviced at the dealerships, who would have used Toyota's fluids. That's good enough for me.

 

Never changed the oil or had problems. The oil probably looks like black paint in my xfer case by now lol. I live in Wyoming, I use mine quite a bit too.

 

Not sure what this "investigation" is going to prove or disprove considering the samples are of different ages, different operating conditions, and the usage or engagement cycles are all over the place. Some probably primarily use 4L, others 4H, etc. Just my .02 folks, have at it.

 

Hmm, I’m at 29K, I guess I had better look into changing fluids. No lifetime fluids?

 

They are lifetime fluids, the lifetime of the component… which would be less than the lifetime if the fluids are changed regularly…

 

I love it when dealerships say "lifetime fluid" - same claim as a single Snickers having a lifetime amount of chocolate (for the bar, of course.).

 

In that sense, I guess every part is a lifetime part.

Maybe I’ll have this on my tombstone: “He lived his entire lifetime, right up until he died.”

 

I didn't realize this was a thing until this thread came up, fortunately I've only had my Tundra since August so it's not been that long. I've used 4HI a few times, but not 4LO yet. I'll just cycle that in the driveway once a month myself from now on too.

 

No dealership I’ve ever asked has said they use oem gear oil. All said the same thing about using a 75w90 synthetic. I even asked the Car Care Nut and he replied back that his dealership uses the aforementioned gear oil as well.

I don’t believe it’s fluid change interval that causes the malfunction, but the frequency of actually using your 4wd system. The actuator needs to be lubricated, so it’s doesn’t stick or self destruct.

A lot people I know with on the fly systems only use 4wd in the snow, so a couple months a year maybe? Then nothing for 8-10 months. Sounds like a recipe for eventual failure imo.