So changed my diff oil and saw this

I’m at 52k mi on my 2016 DC



Think I should start looking at dealer replacement or just plunk down the money on upgraded gears? lol

 

Well,,, that sucks!!! Hate to see that happen! Best of luck.

 

Didn't I read somewhere that the plug is magnetic and will pull off some slag and junk?

 

are you running big tires and stressing out the differential more than usual with all that extra rotating weight ?

 

35s on 10 wides. Nothing crazy.

 

yeah that's odd. doing a lot of sand riding or mud ?

 

Well the magnet is doing its work and hopefully your diff is ok. The thing that really concerns me are those cuticles.

 

HAHAHA

 

You typically see some paste. can it be left-over stuff from factory? I remember another thread someone found a big piece of metal shaving.

 

I would not be alarmed at that drain plug and 52k miles. Clean and reinstall. Check the fluid in a few thousand miles, by removing the fill plug and inserting a zip tie after you've driven the truck.

If you suspect there to be an abnormal amount of metal at that point (still within your 60k), consult a dealer.

 

I would! That's not normal. Small particles yes, but spikes like that? No.

Mine at 158k didn't look anything like that.

 

I would take this to a dealer and see what they say. It may be covered under the 60k mile powertrain. Remember, they WANT to do these jobs. They can bill Toyota for a 10 hour job that really takes them 6.

 

I thought it was the other way around?

 

What an ASS......hahaha

 

It usually is the tech gets paid 6 hours for a 10 hour job lol.

OP, is the diff making noise?

 

It is.

Technicians don't like doing warranty work. Many shops I've known multiply the warranty rate times 1.5 for a customer pay job.

 

Toyota corporate will agree to a certain amount of hours for each job. For instance, on the frame replacements of the past, the dealerships would actually get paid for a lot more hours than it actually takes. Thats why they like those jobs.

My point was that if they can get it covereged under warranty they will. It's easy money for them and you wont argue because it's a free repair.

 

The agreement to additional labor is in no way guaranteed. If additional labor was allowed on frame r&r it was because of additional work that was not accounted for during the flat rate construction, like rust.
On a three year old truck, removing the differential, I highly doubtful there's room for much additional labor...

Your opinion, my opinion, with all due respect.

 

My opinion is that dark gray metallic paste is not typical gear oil residue unless Toyota uses a molybdenum-disulphide gear oil additive in their factory fill. Unless the paste has substantial metal particles from close examination, I would assume it's normal wear-in debris, clean it off, refill the diff to level with correct gear oil, and keep on trucking.

Doubtful you'll get any warranty help from Toyota until it actually start showing some symptoms of gear failure.

 

Here is what a 2002 Tundra with a true LS Differential magnet looks after its 3rd diff oil change at 155k miles. Plenty of tow/haul on this vehicle.

 

No metallic paste there. Definitely has fine metal filings. Normal wear. Probably only has a few hundred thousand left in them.

 

Fine metal is one thing, but large pieces like that are not what you want to see. I would have them inspect it and go from there.

 

It's hard to tell from the photo, but I don't think those are actually what they appear to be, i.e. large flakes. I believe that is formations in the pasty goop following lines of magnetism, but it would take a close exam to be sure.

You're right, however...if that truly is large flakes, then the OP will soon have a problem. Proving it to Toyota will be difficult without them seeing that drain plug.

 

I've pulled lots of diff plugs those are definitely flakes.

 

@texasrho83 Just curious...Are you the original owner, or did you buy the truck used?

 

None or I would really be alarmed.

 

Original

 

I’ve got an appt to let the local dealer take a look at it.