Does the Prado front axle oil need to be changed?
2 Answers
The front axle oil of the Prado needs to be replaced. The components of the front axle are as follows: Front Axle: As the main component, the front axle is generally made of medium carbon steel through die forging and heat treatment. Its cross-section is I-shaped, or to improve torsional strength, there is a thickened part near each end of the front axle, forming a fist shape with a through hole where the kingpin is inserted. The middle part is bent downward into a concave shape to lower the engine position, thereby reducing the vehicle's center of gravity. Steering Knuckle: It is the hinge for wheel steering and is a forked component. The upper and lower forks have coaxial holes for installing the kingpin, and the steering knuckle spindle is used to mount the wheel. The two ears of the kingpin hole on the steering knuckle are connected to the fist-shaped parts at both ends of the front axle via the kingpin, allowing the front wheels to pivot around the kingpin at a certain angle for vehicle steering. Kingpin: It connects the front axle and the steering knuckle, enabling the steering knuckle to pivot around the kingpin for wheel steering. The middle part of the kingpin has a groove. During installation, the kingpin fixing bolt 5 fits into this groove to secure the kingpin in the fist-shaped hole of the front axle.
Having driven a Prado for over a decade, the front axle oil definitely needs replacement. The vehicle manual clearly states it should be changed every 40,000 km or 2 years. The differential relies entirely on this oil for lubrication. Over time, the oil oxidizes and deteriorates, accumulating metal debris, leading to reduced lubrication effectiveness and increased gear wear. I learned this the hard way when I neglected to change it—my differential became noisy, the driving experience turned rough, and the repair cost me over 3,000 RMB. Especially if you frequently drive on gravel roads or carry heavy loads, the oil gets contaminated faster and requires earlier inspection. I recommend regular maintenance; it only costs around 300-400 RMB per service, extends component lifespan, and ensures smoother, worry-free driving.
