Another Front Diff Drain Plug Stripped

Or try and hammer in a slightly larger torx head socket?

 

These look really nice and definitely cheaper than Dimple plugs.

 

They do look pretty nice, might give them a try.. Thanks for the link

 

I will be changing my front diff oil for first time soon (I know, I should be shot for waiting so long). I ordered a Gold Plug with a 24mm hex head to replace the factory 10mm plug. Now it will be the same as the rear diff and xfer case.

https://goldplug.com/shop/ap24/

 

I just changed the oil on my 17 Subaru Outback at 12,000 miles. I changed it at 6000 myself too. The drain plug is so soft that an SK 14 mm 12 point socket started to rounded it off with a short 3/8 ratchet handle. I had to use a six point socket and it wasn't even that tight. I filed off the burring on the corners and the plug was as soft as can be. I'll get a new one for next time. I should have tried a magnet on it as it seemed like aluminum. Beware of any drain plugs on any modern vehicle. When I did the front end on my Tacoma I used a Lowes Kobalt brand hex bit based on input from this site. It was tight and you have to clean out the recess very well removing any oil and grease before trying to loosen it. If it feels like a strip is coming you may be able to put some valve lapping compound on the bit for better grip in the recess. You also have to be very square to the plug with the wrench or it will strip. Some never seize on the threads on reinstall is a good idea too. Always start plugs by hand wherever possible. I used Mobil one in the front end so it won't have to be changed too often now.

 

I am going to get a Snap On 10mm hex bit for the removal. Ain’t cheap but worth it to (possibly) avoid all the issues with these front diff plugs stripping.

 

If you have a dremel, cut a slot into the plug, large enough to snugly fit a big flathead screwdriver with a *square* shaft. Insert screwdriver and use a Swedish nutrounder (Crescent wrench) on the shaft of the screwdriver. Worked for me, once. Maybe it'll work for others.

Another trick I've used on recessed hex fasteners is to put the wrench in, then 'fill' the voids with copper wire or even steel wire. Gives enough bite to get the thing out once.

 

Had a guy weld a old 10mm hex socket on it for me this morning, and when I got home it came off super easy( guess it was the heat from welding), but anyhow I replaced it with a new OEM drain plug, but next time I think I'm going to get one of these https://goldplug.com/shop/ap24/ like mentioned in above post..

 

Shoot, you may as well just re-use that! Good idea to weld old hex socket in there.

 

Doesn't matter what type oil you use. Should still change the diff oil every 30k.

 

Would a Fumoto valve on the front diff drain be a terrible idea?

 

I don't think that would be a good idea since you wouldn't have a magnet catch on the drain plug with the Fumoto valve. When changing my front diff, there is a bit on crud on the magnet. My oil pan Fumoto valve allows all the oil to be emptied, however the front diff drain is sideways. Could possibly prevent any sediment from being removed during draining. I like the valves, just not sure it would be best for this instance.

 

Isn't torque spec like 30 ftlbs or less? If done right, not sure how it would be on tight enough to strip.

 

Doubt it, it's kind of a fine thread and according to my caliper it's .935" besides the embedded magnet is kind of important and I doubt a hardware store or auto parts store would have one.

I used a Snap-On 10mm allen and still stripped my front drain plug out, used a new brass crush washer from Toyota and torqued to spec with a torque wrench when it was last installed approximately 1yr prior. I had to get the drain plug loose with an air chisel.

Never had an issue with the 10mm in-hex drain plug on my '00 4Runner. From factory it had drain plug with a 12mm internal hex, but I changed it to the newer 10mm ones so it was the same size as all the other plugs I installed.

My 2010 Tacoma though has stripped two drain plugs now. If it does it next time I'm just going to buy another new one and weld on a nut. The front diff drain plug torque is fairly high on these at 48ft-lbs.

 

Front differential drain plug torque specification is 48ft-lbs.

Also make sure you use a new crush washer each time.

 

Is anyone using anti-size on the thread?

 

You shouldn't need to impact the plug off. When you replace it, make sure you have a new washer for it and hand tighten it and put a couple turns on the wratchet... if it leaks, tighten it more.

You have to remember that things expand and retract, so putting too much force on something will cause it to fail.

 

I did. Hopefully will make it easier next time.

 

I like this idea.

 

Don’t bother, the gold plug sucks. No room to get a socket on it. I guess that’s why Toyota went with hex type fitting in the first place.