Torque on Lexus front diff drain plug?

I'm curious what the torque on the front diff drain plug needs to be (Lexus part #90341-24016). The stock drain plug torques to 48 lb-ft. I decided to replace it completely after running in to the same issue a lot of other 2nd gen owners have run in to with stripping this plug. For now, I have it torqued to 40lb-ft.

Thanks for help!

P.S. I appreciate all the resources on this site. I lurk a lot and finding a solution for the getting the plug off after I stripped it on here was invaluable. I ended up getting the plug off using a butane torch to heat the plug up, hit it with a hammer a few times, and then using a cold chisel and a ball peen hammer to rotate that bitch off. A pic of the aftermath:

 

Good idea to switch that plug. This might be a dumb question to answer your question, but why wouldn’t it be the same torque value?

 

Not a dumb question at all. I was just afraid to over torque it and find myself in a situation where I snap the new bolt or I have issues getting it off again in 30k miles.

 

Makes sense. I’d do the 48 lb/ft as specified for the drain and be sure to use a new gasket/washer. I’ve done mine with the same plug and it comes out easy now (so much better than the stupid stock one).

 

see this:
Differentials and Transfer Case Part #s & Info | Tacoma World

 

Sweet, thanks for the response! I did buy a new gasket for the plug. I'm looking forward to not having to do deal with that damn drain plug again in 30k haha.

 

This is exactly what I was looking for since I have the Lexus fill plug coming in now too. Thanks for the link! I wasn't able to find this in my searching.

 

If I recall correctly, I couldn't get my torque wrench in there. Went by feel. I also go 60K since I use synthetic gear fluid. On front diff and transfer case only. Do 30K in rear since I have mechanical LSD.

 

48 lb/ft seems excessive. Personally I'd treat it more like a spark plug and go somewhere 18-20 lb/ft. That way you'll get a few uses out of the washer and it won't get roached on the first tightnening

The problem with these drain plugs is the diameter of the threads is way bigger than the diameter of the head the socket is grabbing.

It's not holding the whole truck together, all you have to do is squeeze the washer a little and it's good. Easy does it

 

The front diff drain plug uses a big copper washer looking washer thing for the seal. I went with 48 and reused my old plug.

I think the whole reason the front drain plug is an issue is

1. Time between fluid changes
2. It’s an Allen
3. It’s a fairly big plug that has lots of surface area on the face of the sealing area. The seal washer is 32mm in diameter. And it is not the crush type like the fill plug uses.

 

Hand tight and a 1/4 turn more. That plug likes to lock up in there.

 

I've always just use vise grips on those type of drain plugs/bolts if I feel even a hint that I'm going to round off the allen or whatever head is on the plug. You can hit the vise grips pretty darn hard with a hammer if you need to.

 

not sure how you’d get vice grips on the drain plug it is recessed into the housing when fully seated.

 

Oops, sorry to muddy up the discussion. I don't have a front diff so I guess I've never run into a plug that's recessed.

 

Even the Lexus plugs can round off if you’re not careful. I chose the nuclear option and had a buddy weld a 10mm allen socket to the plug.

 

Or just weld on a nut like the rest of us.

 

mine was a bitch too and i replaced w lexus plug. i got allen seated carefully and then 2 hand sledge whacks to 3/8 wrench i broke it free

i dont torque drain or fills plugs ever, just snug them up. i tihnk the drain is around 50lb and the fill is like 25 or 28 technically

 

That works too, of course. Mine was already stuck in place and I had an extra socket on hand, and knew the inserted allen key would already be centered on the plug.

 

Props to guy who cold chiseled that oem plug and got it loose I work serious mechanics and they say that's one of best tricks in the book!

 

This is one area that I always use Teflon tape. Wrap it up with a couple of layers. It (in my opinion) helps keep it from seizing in there and even at 20 ft*lbs, offers enough thread resistance to keep it from backing out on its own.
I've never had a problem with mine, doing this.