Where is this differential fluid reservoir?

[ak1]

People have recommended me drain & filling the differential fluid. Where's the reservoir and the drain bolt?

Any DIY possibly? And I can also use ATF fluid for it right?

[Ratko]

The differential is open and shares the same lubricant the tranny uses. Therefore there's no specific differential drain/fill hole.

[88 LE]

Originally posted by Ratko
The differential is open and shares the same lubricant the tranny uses. Therefore there's no specific differential drain/fill hole.

Only true with a manual tranny.

Auto trannies have a drain and fill bolt / hole for the differential. The tranny and differential is drained and filled seperately.

[kocho]

Originally posted by ak1
People have recommended me drain & filling the differential fluid. Where's the reservoir and the drain bolt?

Any DIY possibly? And I can also use ATF fluid for it right?

On the 4 cyl 5sfe auto, the diff drain plug is on the bottom of the differential, back from the tranny plug. The differential is where the drive axels go in.

The refill plug is (at least on Gen 4 camry) on the back of the differential (not on top) and you need a hose to put fluid in. Both use 10mm hex wrench. It holds something like 1.7 quarts, but I forgot - you basically need to fill it up till it overflows from the fill hole...

[ak1]

Any pictures of the bolt? and what type of hose will i need? (size, length, etc)

[wvagravehunter]

I totally agree with what kocho is saying...the differential plug and fill plug are totally different in the 4th gen Camry. Although they use the same fluid, they go in and come out of two different places. The best thing that I would say to use would be an oil can that is either brand new or throughly cleaned, and fill it up with fluid after draining the diff, stick the tip of the oil can in and pump the fluid in the fill hole until it pours out the side. Although you would have to be rather careful not to overfil it because it can make a rather large mess, just enough to where you can stick the tip of your pinky finger in the fill hole and feel the fluid level with the edge of the bolt hole. As for the hose, I figure that would work as well, but I would think it would be a slight bit more difficult. So good luck, and best wishes with your fluid change.

[kocho]

Originally posted by wvagravehunter
I totally agree with what kocho is saying...the differential plug and fill plug are totally different in the 4th gen Camry. Although they use the same fluid, they go in and come out of two different places. The best thing that I would say to use would be an oil can that is either brand new or throughly cleaned, and fill it up with fluid after draining the diff, stick the tip of the oil can in and pump the fluid in the fill hole until it pours out the side. Although you would have to be rather careful not to overfil it because it can make a rather large mess, just enough to where you can stick the tip of your pinky finger in the fill hole and feel the fluid level with the edge of the bolt hole. As for the hose, I figure that would work as well, but I would think it would be a slight bit more difficult. So good luck, and best wishes with your fluid change.

Oil can would work too. I used a hose with "on/off" valve that screws on to the oil bottle directly - sells for about $3 bucks at AutoZone. It is good because you can turn it off, position it in the hole, lift the bottle above it and only then start pouring. The end of it also fits nicely in the dipstick opening to fill in the tranny...

Sorry - no picture of the oil pan and diff drain plug - get a Heynes manual, I'm pretty sure they got a picture there. Or just get under your car with a flash light - you'll see the drain and refill plugs.

The drain plugs are magnetic - you'll probably find a few small metal shavings stuck to them - this is normal the first time you change fluid. Just clean them-up.

[88 LE]

Originally posted by ak1
Any pictures of the bolt?

Heres the best I could do besides crawling underneath the car to take a pic.

[ak1]

Thank you all for the valuable info and pic!

I will give it a try this Thursday