Transfer Case Actuator Problems - Poll

So you’re saying it’s a coincidence that 75% of people having problems aren’t running the OEM oil?

 

The million mile Tundras were pre-2014 and used the old Asian T-case. These used 75w90 as a factory fill.
Sadly many dealers are using 75w90 instead of the required 75w in the post 2014 trucks. Toyota usually requires things fro a reason. It very well may be this actuator mechanism? Oil may or may not make a difference. That is what I am looking to better understand.

Fair statement. I am just curious as to how many of the failed units are using the Toyota recommended transfer case oil?
Let the data talk.

 

Does anyone know what actually goes wrong with the actuator ??

 

My understanding is that the actuator has difficulty turning the mechanism in the case. Now, is it a weak actuator or is it the mechanism getting sticky in the case? There has been some success removing the actuator, actuating the case manually and then reassembling. However, I don't know how long this holds up.

 

No, just saying that an accurate investigation or comparison needs to have controlled test specimens to obtain any useful data.

 

I pulled out the owners manual where it said to drive 10 miles minimum per month in 4 HI to keep the front mechanisms lubricated. I took my Tundra out for a drive and went thru 4 Hi and 4 low. It took a while for the 4 low to switch but glad it did. Did some slow forward and reverse on a flat and straight road with 4 low.

 

I had a similar problem with similar milage. I change my transfer and diff case oil every 30k miles with Mobil 1 75w90. The transfer case really struggled to come out of 4LO. What I ended up doing was driving around in 4HI for 30ish minutes to warm the transfer case up then shifted into 4LO, then back to 4HI and repeated this multiple times. Initially it was a pain trying to get it to come out of 4LO but after doing this several times though out a month or two I no longer have any issues shifting into or out of 4LO whether or not I've warmed up the transfer case and now I'm more diligent about exercising my 4x4 system.

 

This is what I need to do I think. I drive in 4hi often, and have no issues, but 4lo is acting funky. It’s temperamental going in or out. I’ve tried recently while cold and 4lo is a no go at all. I’ll warm her up and try again.

 

Correct weight oil but different brand? Highly doubt this is a problem.
Wrong weight oil, say 75W90 when it calls for 75W? Maybe a problem.

But my completely unscientific speculation is that not exercising the actuator according to the manual is probably the biggest problem. I’ve had Ravenol 75W in two of my Toyotas’ TCs (about to be 3 once I swap my LX’s fluids) for lots and lots of miles without a hitch. I’m also in 4wd regularly. Use it or lose it is my guess.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

 

Ravenol 75w. Transfer is smooth as glass.

 

Getting the transfer case warm was the key for me. It was still difficult but it was more willing to shift out of 4LO initially. I also drove in 4LO while attempting to free up the actuator. I would shift into and out of 4LO several times each time I did this and it did eventually free up.

 

Ok sweet. Thanks for the tip. My other option is to buy the $1k part. But messing with it first makes way more sense to me.

 

I think you'll need to drop the transfer case and split it to I stall a new actuator. Just a heads up if that's what your referring to. I don't think it's a simple parts swap.

 

I’m not 100% sure either. I actually disassembled the unit while it was installed on the transfer case to look for corrosion inside. It’s super clean. Everything came right off, but I’m unsure about the main mount itself coming off. Looked like it would though, as I had everything disassembled.

 

No issues here, I've changed the fluid once, with Toyota 75w. Why is there an option for 75w transmission fluid lol?

 

Toyota sells a 75W Transmission fluid. Some guys are using that because it is quite a bit cheaper. Different Toyota part number.

 

I looked at videos of transfer case actuators.. electric motors, gear drives, that move shift forks in the case, similar to manual transmission,....My first assumption would be the actuator motor assy.

 

When does the data processing begin? Curious to see what you can determine.

 

Learn something new everyday. I did extensive research before deciding on using the Toyota 75w. I seen plenty of people using 75-90, or Ravenol 75w but never came across anyone suggesting Toyota 75w manual transmission oil, i did find the product, it also comes in a similar looking can as the Toyota transfer case oil and as you said it's about half the price. If i was price shopping though I'd probably just throw in 75w90, not a special Toyota manual transmission gear oil but to each thier own.

 

No issues... Used Toyota 75w.

 

This is literally the same fix as just using the actuator on a regular basis. In the million posts on a hundred different threads the main (9/10) culprit is simple non-use of the 4wd system. No, you do not have to go Dakar crazy every month to keep everything ship shape. Just activate the 4Hi once in awhile on a slow & straight piece of road and you will never have an issue with the actuator. Mistaking fluid choice for putting nice, brand new, fluid in a container and never using it is pointless. And Yes, though not as often, do the same for 4Lo.

 

Mine was replaced under warranty. As far as what oil they used....? Failed at 72k.

 

Completely agree, and it doesn't even have to be slow, you can put it in 4hi at up to 62mph on a nice straight piece of highway.

 

Thus far we have a whole six votes. They are equally spread over the "normal" fluids that people are using. That would suggest that the problem is not fluid related.
However, there are a lot more people on this thread talking about problems than the 5 other than me that voted. People are not voting because they don't believe the fluid to be the culprit. Just vote and let the data speak.
I will likely just use the Toyota fluid and continue to actuate my 4WD on a monthly basis...... thus I will probably never know how I fixed the problem.

 

Hmmm. I will also just use the Toyota 75w. Not sure why people worry about the cost so much. In my opinion, if you can afford the truck, insurance, tags, gasoline, mods, and all of the other things I see discussed here, then surely you can buy the Yota oil. Sometimes peeps is kinda silly!

 

No issues. 32k on the odometer. Changed factory fluid at 30k with 75w90gear oil.

 

No issues. Been using the Ravenol 75 since 30k and I now have 66k. I have not been exercising the transfer case like I should be. Only the occasional 4HI for a few minutes, no 4LO.

 

And the survey says ??

 

No problems with my 2015. I exercise 4WD monthly and the truck has the same OEM fluid in it that came in it originally

 

That’s it. I followed your procedure exactly. It’s already working as it should. Nice and smooth shifting and no hesitation after I turn the selector. Thank you so much. I seriously appreciate it! Previously, after trying once, I was just afraid to keep messing with it. Persistence was the key. I’ll keep on it from now on, into 4LO at least once a month.