How to remove stuck front differential drain and fill plugs

lynlan1819 · Nov 28, 2018

teamfast said: ↑

Antiseize is the best.
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This ^

Crow Horse · Nov 29, 2018

subd.......

Benny123 · Nov 29, 2018

L J said: ↑

Just thinking out loud here. Most folks use a pump to get the fluid in. If you have a pump at your disposal you could use it to suck the old oil out. Not a perfect solution but at least you can get it done if you’ve stripped the drain plug. Changing most of the oil is better than changing none of it.
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This is what I resorted to. Makes sense.

Age315 · Sep 10, 2019

I saw this some where else on here but can't remember where. There is a Lexus plug for an RX300 or something like that that will work and it has a 14mm head I believe. I called Toyota and they couldn't find it but Lexus had it in stock. It's "Lexus part number 90341-24016 SOP Plug, Straight Screw" and that is what the part number on the bag says. Now just need to find time to get back under there and do it.

TheDevilYouLove · Sep 10, 2019

I got one but haven’t installed it yet

Muddinfun · Sep 10, 2019

Yep, that's it. Strangely enough though, even if you walk into the Toyota dealer with that part number, they can't get it for you. You have to go to the Lexus dealer to get it. At least that was my experience. But, the crush washer is a Toyota part number that you can get at either Toyota or Lexus.

redcap · Dec 1, 2021

loredoarturo[OP] initial post: ↑

I recently did the differential fluid change on my truck the front, back, and transfer case. When I got to the front this time around I hit a brick wall. I could not get the front drain plug off for the life of me. No matter what I did it would not come off, I almost wanted to cry when I thought of what the dumb asses at the dealership would say I needed to do and how much it would cost. So I was determined not to give up. So I did a little research and had some sleepless nights but finally figured out what to do and went to town with my tools.

1. I first went to dealer and ordered new drain plugs and after $20 bucks and a day shipment I had the parts.
2. I went to lowes and bought some blast bolt remover and spayed the plugs as much as I could. I also bought a kobolt 10m hex socket because the other one I used broke trying to take off the plugs the first time. You have to remove the rear skid plate to get to differential and it’s a pain in the ass to get back on if you have a lift because of the diff drop spacers.
3. I let the plugs sit for a couple of hours before I began.
4. I got a regular hammer and hit the plugs about ten times as hard as I could and also hit around the differential by the plugs.
5. then I got my 3/4 ratchet, socket and a pipe and attempted to remove the plugs and this worked.
6. So don’t lose hope you can do it just as long as you don’t damage plug to much that you cant get socket to work.

I think the last time I changed the fluids I over tightened the plugs and didn’t torque to spec. I bought a torque ratchet at Harbor Freight tools to avoid this on anything. From reading previous post fill plug to 29 and drain to 48lbs or something like that.

Here are some pics of what I did.

Front differential drain plug stuck on my 10m allen socket and new drain plug to replace it. Had to replace it due to damage I cause trying to remove it. I had to order it from the dealer/stealer cost about $10 bucks. I used some anti seize on the threads to keep it from getting stuck again. I also torque it to spec of 48lbs so as not to over tighten again.

This plug uses a copper washer that you need from the dealer. Make sure to clean off the crap off the magnet on the drain plug.

Front differential fill plug that I also replaced. Both front plugs seemed to be very rusted and difficult to take off so I put new ones in.

This plug uses a crush washer that I also got from the stealership.

Picture of both plugs installed.

Picture of how I fill the differential. I used a pump that I bought from walmart it made it very easy.

I hope this helps anybody with the same prob. So don’t give up and try this before you think you have to go to dealer.
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redcap · Dec 1, 2021

yesterday I started to change the fluid in my 2010 Tacoma front differential and ran in to the same problem you had. So I looked up Tacomaworld and found your post. I read it all and it sure did help. The best part was where you said don't give up. After reading your post I got back under my tacoma and tried again and finely got the drain plug out of the front differential. I worked on it for 4 hours before I read your post. I just want to say thank you for posting it.

RHHousehold · Dec 1, 2021

Mine was a pain, same thing I didn’t give up, but needed to use MAPP gas to heat it up then a chisel to make a notch and hammer it loose. The new Lexus plug was a great upgrade for the future.

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How to remove stuck front differential drain and fill plugs

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lynlan1819 Well-Known Member

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How to remove stuck front differential drain and fill plugs

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#42
Crow Horse Well-Known Member

#43
Benny123 Kid from the late 70s

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Age315 Well-Known Member

#45
TheDevilYouLove You can’t polish a turd, but you can polish a TRD

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Muddinfun Well-Known Member

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