3rd Gen Differential and Manual Transmission (6MT) Fluid Change

I don't think I have have seated my assets down and read an entire 24 page post in one sitting. Kudos to OP and contributors. There are couple things in here that bugged me a bit, but not enough to jump in and comment directly.

I will say those Amazon prices for Amsoil are nuts. I get it, they include shipping and prices must be retail.

If you want better prices and a Tacoma guy, go here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/amsoil-products-atf-mtf-gear-oils.639632/

 

^^^^ This guy knows his stuff, one of the OGs at BITOG

 

The guys who put the air lockers in my front diff and rear diff (still working fine) did a good job last January, but when I went back after 500 miles to get the fluid changed (part of their required warranty practice) - the ass who changed the fluid really messed up the front drain bung - it's an 10mm hex plug, looks like he tried to drive a square in the hole. Gonna need to plan this out. Oddly the fill plug with the same 10mm hex hole is fine. I found this today while doing my own oil change first time (the first one was free at the dealer). Oil change went awesome.

Ordered this front one for replacement: https://drainplugmagnets.com/cars/toyota-lexus/

Is that the correct plug?

 

The only time that I had a messed up plug, a person kindly welded on a tool to break it free.

In all honesty, I would take it back to that shop and have them at least do the plug swap? They should be able to do it with minimal loss of fluid.

 

Maybe a good idea. It was our friends near the I-90 corridor.

 

Interesting.

I never got a good feel for them. Has the feel of some of the shops on the motorcycle side.

 

They were excellent on the install. Different clown did the warranty fluid swap...........you know, low dude on totem pole!!

 

One of the first, and still the best, lessons that I learned when I was that low man on the pole, fess up to mistakes right away. They'll either come back to haunt you or just make your work worse the longer that it goes on.

Well, I didn't really learn it. It was sage advice from my first group leader.

Still to this day, I'm preaching this to folks who should really know better than me. Peeps with more than two synapses sparking away.

 

This is the oem one with the hex head. The oem has a magnet, too.

 

Be gentle with me, how much does the dealer charge for that?

(In all fairness I have found Dimple plugs to be excellent)

Thanks!

 

I bought one for $12 they raised the price a bit to $17.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-LE...FERENTIAL-DRAIN-PLUG-90341-24016/222153295083

 

Thanks! Called the shop, left a message. Fak, I should be able to get it out.

 

One trick is to put some grease on a tool that fits and dip it in some sand?

Although, that tends to work better on fasteners that don't typically snap loose like these plugs do.

Did you try some Freedom Units bits to see if they are tighter in the hole? SAE.

 

It's not critical right now. Seemed like I would first clean the hole a bit and drive the 11mm in there, if the plug isn't too tight that should work

 

That may work. The sand trick was usually a last try before an EasyOut.

The front diff plugs are the type that snap free. So, it will take more torque that it seems like it should.

 

Here's a trick. Make sure you have the replacement plug on hand.

Take an old 10mm allen bit and slather it up with jbweld and jam it in there. Next morning , break it loose and replace the plug.

 

That would be better than .

 

Definitely, I've fixed so much shit with jb weld, zip ties and kentucky chrome it's not funny. But, I'm buying my first mig welder and plasma cutter and about to get mid evil!

 

Imma bit envious over here.

Enjoy those new toys!

 

I've got to learn a new trade besides talking and selling.