Front diff drain bolt

So I did the fluid change in my front and rear diff along with my transfer case this weekend. My issue was with front diff drain bolt. I was not able to get it out. I ended up siphoning out the old fluid, which was nasty as hell from the fill hole. Any ideas on how to get that pesky drain bolt out? Thanks.

 

Spray some PB Blaster on it and let it sit overnight.

 

Before it gets too rounded, spray it.

Then place a small ball peen against the plug, and hit the hammer with another slightly larger hammer. This will shock the plug.

Then hammer in a proper 10mm allen key socket, and remove.

If all else fails, you have to indent with a chisel, and "walk" the chisel point out.

 

Might put a torch to it too and heat it up a bit.

 

If you got most of the old fluid out (~1.5L), the easiest thing is to leave it as-is.

Because the drain plug hasn't been removed in 13 years, removal methods will likely be destructive. If you really want to remove it, have a replacement drain plug and crush washer on hand.

 

I recently had this issue too. Even my Milwaukee impact couldn't budge it.

Had to jack up the truck and then use a 18in cheater bar and was able to loosen the plug. I reduced the torque spec by 10% when I reinstalled it.

 

I pretty much had the same problem. I almost totally rounded the plug due to the rust not letting it go in all the way. After I realized it's not going to be reusable I went and got a new plug and washer. I then hammered the allen socket in, said a prayer, and used a breaker bar to loosen it. It worked out perfectly! It seemed that the previous owner had a hard time trying to get it off and never changed it again as the color of the fluid was absolutely jet black!

 

If you do get it out, i recommend changing to Lexus part # 90341-24016. I swapped this over when i changed my fluid relatively cheap maybe $10. Double check the part # but this is a 14mm nut rather than a 10mm hex that always strips out.

 

There is a company that makes an extraction tool specifically for that. It’s a little expensive around 30 dollars I think I don’t remember exactly but it worked great on mine. Had the sam issue.

 

All else fails you weld a nut on there and the heat will help loosen, then zip off with standard 1/2” impact socket.

 

^^^This^^^

 

What everyone else said!

I had the same problem when I changed my fluid right after buying my truck and ended up using the chisel method. It was slow going but it worked. The best part? Finding out that the PO had it changed just a few months prior...

 

After you get it out.
Complete drain plug info:
Differentials and Transfer Case Part #s & Info | Tacoma World

 

Once you get it out replace it with this plug which is a better setup. Toyota/Lexus
90341-24016.