I've searched all over for an answer to this, haven't found anything yet. If someone can point me to an existing thread/writeup that would rock.

Changed rear gear oil in my 2000 Tacoma TRD about a year ago. Had Mobil 1 85w90 GL5 syn in it, and I replaced with the same. Old gear oil had a large amount of brass/bronze colored dust in it. So much that it made a noticeable layer of metal in the bottom of the drain pan. Just checked gear oil again the other day and once again it's full of metal.

Never had this before on any truck, any ideas? the rear diff has some slack in it as well, maybe a bushing/washer/shim is worn out?

Wondering what parts I should have on hand before I tear into this.

Thanks!
Vic

 

i had metal shavings in my diff after i installed new gears in my 85, they were TG r&p and was instructed to replace the gear oil after 500 miles, i just thought it was part of the breaking in process, never heard of shavings in factory gears though...

 

Metal dust is normal. Chunks should worry you.

 

Ok cool. It seemed unusual to me though because it's non magnetic and there was a lot of metal in the oil. Thanks.

 

Aww, it aint metal shavings, it is the glitter added to the oil.
J/k'ing mine had the same effect at 130k and then at 210k.
Now at 300k, still going strong. There always have been a lot of take up slack in the rear drive train, too.