Front Diff Drain Bolt Upgrade?

Going to do my first service on my front/rear diffs and t/c next weekend. I've watched several YouTube videos and read several posts that the drain bolt on the front diff likes to get stuck, and you have to destroy it basically to get it off. I swear I had saved where there was an upgraded bolt to avoid this, but I can't find it now. I'd like to have one on hand when I do this service just in case. Does anyone know what I'm talking about or know the part number for the factory replacement so I can have a spare just in case?

 

Here's what I used.

Toyoya 90341-24016 PLUG, STRAIGHT SCREW

Toyoya 90341-24016 PLUG, STRAIGHT SCREW

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F7MAXX4

 

Also, be sure to remove the fill port, before you remove the drain. Don't want to drain it, only to find out you can't fill it.

 

2-3 year old truck won't have a problem with rust at this location. Just make sure there's no debris in the hex cavity and your hex bit is fully seated. Tap it in with a hammer if necessary.

On install, coat the plug threads in some gear oil and you won't have a problem with subsequent removals.

 

Yep that's the one I was talking about. It was meant for a Lexus but fits. Thanks! They're out of stock on that link but at least I have the part number now to find it somewhere else.

 

folks suggest Lexus part will fit.
easy search on the forum.
I loosened my 2022 drain plug a few turns to check if it was seized.
Required a breaker bar and tapping the drain bolt to ensure it loosened.

 

Pb blaster on it and wait 10 minutes

 

I just changed the oil on my diffs 2 days ago.- the front diff hex bolts were not bad at all. I hit it with PB plaster, then after 15 min I made sure the 10mm hex was fully inserted and both came out without any drama.
You just have to handle that hex bolt like a woman; insert fully, be gentle yet firm, and not be afraid to give it a few smacks if it requires.

 

I used heat, leat it soak 15 minutes, hit it with the impact and came right off.

I did have new oem as backup.

 

mine came out easy and i did this 'upgrade'. it is overrated imo. there is nothing wrong with or need to improve the factory plugs. as mentioned above, make sure they are clean and free of dirt and grime, and use the proper tool.

 

Its not going to rust.. it will strip out

 

I think this is a bit overblown. I overanalyzed it as well and bought the "upgrade" plug before doing it. I had a torch, chisel and hammer etc on standby and it loosened up with barely any effort. I replaced the plug anyway but I definitely didn't need to.

 

The Allen plugs are not that bad. The only reason I did the swap to the hex ones is because I don’t commonly use the Allen tool and I end up losing it and not have it when I need to do swaps. Easier to just have it as hex because I know I’ll have the socket handy anytime.

Successful Allen plug life is having the right size tool and a quality tool. As long as the hole is not filled with dirt, it shouldn’t be a problem.

 

Just did a diff service on my 2021. The plugs came out without a problem. I did replace both the fill and drain with hex, I got them at the Lexus dealer.

9034118060 (fill)
9034124016 (drain)

 

If you want a little extra protection against it seizing up, coat the plug with your favorite corrosion inhibitor afterwards to prevent anything from migrating into the threads. I used RP-342 when the truck was new and at 15K miles, the plug came out with zero fuss. No data to prove it was better or worse without it, but I had no issues and recoated it against afterwards.

 

Just did my first differential and transfer case fluid change on my 2019 TRD ORLB. I live near the ocean, so just to be sure, I sprayed some WD40 on the plugs a couple times, and then tapped a little with a wrench. As others have noted, as long as you insert the hex fully and use a breaker bar carefully and keep it level, it's not difficult to loosen the plugs.

 

Is this for both the front and rear diff?

 

Front. The rear are both hex head already.

 

front diff only, drain and fill

rear diff already has hex drain/fill plugs

 

does the lexus style use the same gasket or do you need a different gasket...for my sons 2016