Need Help with Front Diff Drain plug

The Torx is for when you've already buggered up the hex bolt. You get more purchase on the bolt than you will with the 10mm allen if it's already stripped.

@D4D Hilux Dude I live on the north side of town - about 10 min. from your inlaws. I grew up here. The economy in Santa Fe is shitty and property crime is rampant - but the scenery, proximity to the wilderness, and the food makes it worth it. It's home.

 

Yikes. Had the same problem with my RAV4 rear diff... Instead of using a 10mm hex, which may not fit due to corrosion and tool clearances and wobble and rotatation in place, consider using a set of big Vice Grips and try to clamp down the outer edge portion of the plug which stands proud of the case. Clamp that down, give it a slow turn and it will break loose revealing nice clean threads. Be sure to use some penetrating oil first.

Before doing any of that, get a new replacement plug from the dealer and throw the corroded one in the garbage after its removed.

Great truck and longevity, but this a 'WTF Toyota?' across all their vehicles.

 

+1!

 

I'm dealing whit this same problem right now. My bolt looks essentially identical to the OPs (except for the notch created when i attempted to chisel it off)
It was already pretty stripped when I went to remove it. Previous owner should have replaced it in the first place. Now it's my problem.

Update: I gave up on the drain plug. Extracted around 1.5 quarts of liquid hell through the fill plug using a siphon pump... then i filled it to the fill plug and called it a day.

That smell will haunt my forever.

 

Some normal style Drain and Fill Plugs would be a better choice than those stupid sunken Allen Heads, wonder if some Plugs from another model would match up.

 

With a hammer and chisel at an angle that will turn it counter clock wise. After a couple hits it should break loose. But you need to know what you doing because if you don’t do it right u will ruin it. And make sure to have a replacement one ready.

 

Thanks for this idea. I thought about this but didn't know if the pump tube could get to the bottom. Glad to know it's a great backup plan. Making one more attempt with heat and a hammer, and if it's a no-go, that's what I'll be doing.

 

Use an air hammer and chisel bit and hammer on the plug at an angle without hitting the case

 

Just use a long ass ratchet with an Allen socket. Always works for me, use a good brand of 10mm Allen like a Matco or snap on socket. You can tell a difference in the way a socket feels between the cheap shit and the high dollar sockets

 

I thought the Lexus part # 90341-24014 is for the front diff drain plug 12mm?
https://www.lexuspartsnow.com/parts/lexus-plug-for-front-differential-drain~90341-24016.html

part # you listed: 90341-24014
https://www.lexuspartsnow.com/parts/lexus-plug-front-differential-drain~90341-24014.html


and 90341-18032 is for the front diff Fill plug 10mm?
https://www.lexuspartsnow.com/parts/lexus-plug-straight-screw~90341-18032.html

 

The # you provided is now the replacement for the one he has shown.
Your number is the “new” number.


See here
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-diff-drain-plug-alternate-oem-part.604989/#post-20395236

 

Found the great price today on p/n 90341-24016
$11.66 shipped to 50323
https://www.ssl-parts.com
genuine Lexus parts

 

I ordered two (for 2016 Tacoma & 2015 4Runner) from below and I think I paid $7-$8 shipping. Total $25.07. I did not get any order confirmation or any shipped confirmation. Just a paypal payment notice from PayPal to AutoPartsPrimeInc. Not a good business practice.
https://www.lexuspartsnow.com/parts/lexus-plug-for-front-differential-drain~90341-24016.html

Next time, I'll order from SS-Parts as you linked.

 

See the small bevel on the bottom, it starts the problem. If you were to grind the end till you had a flat surface it would insure a better fit as well as a small pick to thoroughly clean out the recessed hole before you start.

 

I just had this exact problem. Take a dremel if you have one and cut a notch in the drain plug. After that, take a chisel and, using the notch, knock the drain plug counterclockwise. Just take your time and don't beat on it like a madman (the drain plug is threaded into aluminum). Also, make sure you have a pretty good size notch before you start hitting it so the chisel has something to grip. Penetrating oil will not help in this situation. This method will work if you don't have access to a welder. Get that Lexus drain plug too like the other guy said. It's a nice upgrade

 

Wondering if there are any other stubborn bolts/plugs people would recommend dealing with right when you get the truck and either switching it out or applying some anti-sieze, or some for of prevention for when the day comes you and you have get it loose?

 

clean surface and weld a nut to it, will be the best optional and less headache at this point...

 

bed bolts

 

The alignment cams on the lower control arms. Take em out coat them in antiseize and then reinstall. You'll want to mark the alignment cams before removing and reinstall the same way

 

i second this. Hopefully it’s not already too late, those seem to seize up off the lot