Rear differential oil change, metals found at drain plug

I have 2018 Tundra 7 inch lifted with 37 inch tires. I just had my first rear differential oil change at 45k at dealership. And they found some metals at the drain plug with oil. Now they told me truck is driving fine but just keep an eye. And it’s common with lifted truck to damage rear differential gears because of so much stress from lift and tires. And they said they would charge around $250 for inspection and either I need to change center piece of axle gear thing for $1500 or whole axle for $2500. I might keep driving for now but anyone ever had that kind of issue?

 

Some metal is normal. Especially if this is the first time it’s ever been changed. Sounds like you need a carrier bearing drop before you cause more premature wear.

https://shop-coachbuilder.myshopify.com/products/coachbuilder-carrier-bearing-drop-kit-rear-lift-3-5

 

What’s this carrier bearing drop?

 

Did you see the "metals" as they called it? Big chunks no good, little bit of shavings and mush to be expected. Might consider another change at a shorter interval to see how it looks then.

 

They showed me picture it was little bit around drain plug screw.

 

It’s 2 spacers and longer bolts that drop your carrier bearing and make your driveshaft straighter. I did it with my 3” lift because my truck had a shudder at takeoff. The angle where your driveshaft goes in to your axle is probably pretty high or at least much higher than stock.

 

7" lift and 37's, you likely have axle wrap issues affecting the pinion angle to some degree. Check out SDHQ or BDS traction bars to address it. Watch some youtube to get a better understanding.

 

This is drain plug picture.

 

Nothing surprising there IMO given mileage and dirty sevens. Should be cleaner next time.

 

Looks normal to me

 

what kind of stupid ass scare tactic is that? The Tundra rear diff components are about the most bulletproof thing on the truck.

 

You definitely don't want this

 

So this is stock gears, 37's and 7"?

 

the hell is that?

 

looks like a reflection.

 

Looks like this but from a different angle

 

Most importantly the dealership is shady! I'd be looking elsewhere or DIY in the future.

 

Yup this is DIY territory, perhaps every 15K in your lifted situation....

 

I would not be the least worried about that. I have seen people drain their differentials with only 5k mikes and they look worse than that.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I might take to different dealership next time and will also do another rear differential oil change at 60k. I should do it at 30k. But this dealership suggested me to do at 45k. @2mchfun yes I have stock gear ratio.

 

This is normal.
You need to find another shop and never go back there. Both a tech and an adviser that don't know wtf they are doing, or are just trying to rip you off.

Like the others said you need a carrier bearing drop of you don't have one.
Also those sdq track bars, maybe even wedged lift blocks in the rear to fix drive axle/pinion angles.

You also really need a regear for best performance overall with those huge tires and lift.

I noticed a loss of giddy up just going to 34" tires from stock 32s, 37s on stock gears probly feels like ass compared to stock without a regear.

 

Yeah they were good until I was just doing regular oil change. This is first time I did rear and front diff oil change. Now I am scared to do big oil changes stuff at 60k miles.

 

I am thinking to change the gear ratio. What gear ratio do you guys recommend for 7 inch lifted with 37 inch tires?

 

5.29

 

While you’re in there get lockers, if you wheel, or limited slip.

 

Mine is 4x4 so it’s limited slip differential I guess? I don’t have that much knowledge so I kinda didn’t get what you are asking

 

5.29 for 37s for sure. If you don't wheel you don't need to add any other limited slip or lockers.

 

Our trucks have faux limited slip meaning the computer pumps the brakes to imitate limited slip vs an actual limited slip differential.