Front Differential Drain Plug Saga

Just did my rear, TC and front diffs this weekend, at 100K.
I could not easily break my front diff drain plug loose.

After reading all the front diff drain plug horror stories, I took a small propane torch to only the plug, for about 5 minutes.
Then tapped the plug with a small ball peen hammer a couple times. Using a small breaker bar, it came right out. Not even a deformation of the hex lands.

But, the Lexus plug looks like a good replacement for next time.

 

That looks like water in there. @TacoTuesday1 Correct me if I'm wrong but oil shouldn't look like it is a milkshake.

 

Yeah something is wrong with that. It definitely shouldn’t look like that especially with it being changed at that extremely short interval. 1500 is something like 5 trips to the gas station.

 

@gearcruncher.

 

No water. Just the ring gear and pinion getting to know each other which doesn't take long at all New lube is clean and clear now at 60,000

From Yukon Gear on break in of new diff gears.

https://www.yukongear.com/blogs/the...ide-ensuring-peak-performance-and-longevity_1

3) Change the gear oil after the first 500 miles: After driving approximately 500 miles, it is advisable to change the gear oil. This helps remove any metal particles or phosphoric coating that may have been shed by the gear set during the break-in period.


Every single well know diff gear manufacturer (Yukon, Nitro..) recommends a 500 lube change so 1500 was not to short. They also recommend drives of 15-20 miles in the beginning to allow for the extra heat generated during breaking. Luckily for me this was bang on the distance to work so that helped as well.

 

My opinion as well.

 

For those of us following this recommended service interval chart, it says 30k miles. Is it incorrect?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-diy-maintenance-quick-reference-guide.438945/

 

I will say that after all this it was completely anti climactic when the oil came out damn near pristine… smh. which is insane because my truck lives in 4H 7 months a year in Fairbanks. Who knows..

 

A few weeks back, while fixing my front differential, I saw the drain plug was damaged. I used a bolt extractor from Amazon that worked well. Although a half-inch impact driver didn't do the job, it didn't harm the bolt further. By using a breaker bar and a floor jack, I finally got the bolt out. I then replaced it with a 22 mm nut bolt from Amazon.

**Products Used:**

- **Bolt Extractor Set:** XEWEA Upgrade 15 Piece Screw Extractor Set

$33 XEWEA Upgrade 15 Piece Screw Extractor Set, 3/8" Inch Impact Easy Out Stripped Screw Bolt Remover Kit Tool, Multi-Spline, for Removing Broken Screws, Bolts, Studs

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9LMZ6X2

- **Replacement Bolt:** M24x1.5 Stainless Steel Transmission/Front Differential Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

$19 Dsnaduo 1PC M24x1.5 Stainless Steel Transmission/Front Differential Magnetic Oil Drain Plug Fit for 08-20 Lexus GX460 LX570; Toyota 4Runner FJ Cruiser Land Cruiser Tacoma Tundra, Replace 90341-24014

https://www.amazon.com/Dsnaduo-Stainless-Transmission-Differential-90341-24014/dp/B0BQ6HFKVB

 

That depends on you. If you had the opportunity to look a the condition of the gear oil in the differential early would you want to leave it in there for 30,000 miles?

Most people just buy a vehicle and only do whats in the service manual. Manufacturers are trying to make this easier and cheaper by extending out the intervals on just about everything and they are using this as a selling point. And the EPA isnt helping because of the push to reduce the volume of waste products the service departments generate (oil, gear lube , ATF, coolant)

Few people would be happy with the having the first service at say 1000 miles. They think a 10,000 service interval is great. And this will almost always get the vehicle past the warranty period just fine.

For those of us that spin a wrench regularly early changes will help ensure fewer problems in the long term.

And whoever came up with the idea of a sealed for life automatic transmission/life time fluid should be boiled alive in hot ATF.

 

Welcome to TW. I enjoy the post and pics. I have the Lexus fill and drain plugs about to go into my truck.

That 22mm drain plug looks so good.

 

Mine got stripped to hell too luckily I was able to just chisel it and get it loose that way

 

The appearance of oil does not indicate its condition. The reason we are used to seeing dark brown used oil from engines is because combustion gasses bypass the piston rings and get into the crankcase.

In a diff or xfer case, there is no combustion. There can be heat, though, which can darken oil somewhat.

So still change according to the manual schedule.

 

Noted. I have appropriate sockets already.

 

My rear diff and case were like this at 165k, doing the front this weekend as I didn’t have a 10mm hex on hand and fully expect the same. Replacing with Lexus plugs while I’m at it.

 

I’m doing mine right now and I would say it’s 75% stripped. Still able to hold the hex head firmly but I think I’m going to order the drain plug and wait.. thanks for the chuckle salmon