1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Question on Rear Differential Drain Plug Washer

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Mulepadre, Aug 3, 2024.

  1. Aug 3, 2024 at 10:19 AM
    #1
    Mulepadre

    Mulepadre [OP] Mulepadre

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2014
    Member:
    #119686
    Messages:
    699
    Gender:
    Male
    Central Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2003 Std Cab 2.7L 4x4
    Bilstein 5100s, Deaver Leaf Springs, JBA UCAs
    I just drained my rear differential fluid. Fluid was very clean after 100k+ miles.
    But I am a bit confused and looking for advice regarding the washer in replacing the plug.

    As the foto shows, it looks to me like the compressed washer.
    And as there was no other washer with the plug when I removed it, my conclusion is that the washer is now bonded to the plug itself.
    My attempts to pry it free have been fruitless.
    What to do?
    Put a new washer over it or find a better way to pry it off?
    What say those with more experience than me?

     
  2. Aug 3, 2024 at 11:05 AM
    #2
    O'Silver_Taco

    O'Silver_Taco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2021
    Member:
    #375390
    Messages:
    3,696
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    MD
    Vehicle:
    98 Dlx Sr5 ext AT Rwd
    3rz to 2Rz bebuilt block and new heads
    I dont think thats a washer on the there....think thats the way its made...

    most of use dont have that plug......thats a special aftermarket



    you could heat it red hot and see if it separates........BUT that may destroy/damage that magnet,


    Or spring for a brandnew $10 one.....like I had to


    Should keep spares for all the crush washers on the truck...
    ......with Amazon/ebay its super easy to find em.
     
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2024
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #2
    Black97v6MT likes this.
  3. Aug 3, 2024 at 7:57 PM
    #3
    leid

    leid Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2020
    Member:
    #332423
    Messages:
    426
    Gender:
    Male
    Brandon, MS
    Vehicle:
    1997 V6 Tacoma 4x4 & 2020 V6 Tacoma TRD 4x4
    ECGS & ZUK diffs w lockers/Marlin R150F/NITRO axles/winches
    That appears to be an OEM 90341-18057 hex-head magnetic drain plug that has been over-torqued and/or reused to the point that the 90430-18008 washer has over-expanded & is now captured. I am a big believer in using magnetic drain plugs in the engine/tranny/front and rear diff. drain plugs of our 1st Gen Tacos. In 50+ years of wrenching, 27 years of which on the 1st Gen Taco, I have never removed a magnetic drain plug that did not have at least some magnetic goo (fuzz) stuck to it. Our 1st Gen Tacos had factory installed magnetic drain plugs in the front and rear diffs., but I also added OEM magnetic drain plugs to both the R150F tranny and R100 Tcase much like the Lexus vehicles.

    Not my pic but excellent info:
    OEM Magnetic Drain Plugs.jpg

    I have also used the inexpensive $3 OEM 90341-18021 short Allen-head magnetic drain plugs in the R150F tranny and R100 Tcase on my '97 V6 Taco 4X4:

    Short Magnetic Drain Plug 90341-18021.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2024
    Madjik_Man, Williston and Black97v6MT like this.
  4. Aug 3, 2024 at 9:45 PM
    #4
    Sicyota04

    Sicyota04 Slowly but surely.

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2015
    Member:
    #145940
    Messages:
    3,535
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Morgan
    California
    Vehicle:
    04 DC 4x4
    Here’s the set I bought for my truck. Covers most everything if not all

    IMG_1021.png
     
  5. Aug 4, 2024 at 1:31 PM
    #5
    Mulepadre

    Mulepadre [OP] Mulepadre

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2014
    Member:
    #119686
    Messages:
    699
    Gender:
    Male
    Central Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2003 Std Cab 2.7L 4x4
    Bilstein 5100s, Deaver Leaf Springs, JBA UCAs
    Okay. That ring is definitely part of the plug itself.
    I was using a handmade aluminum funnel to catch the oil.
    When I was cleaning up the washer was stuck to that.
    That's why I missed it at first.
    Thanks everyone for your insights.
     
  6. Aug 5, 2024 at 5:48 AM
    #6
    skeezix

    skeezix Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2010
    Member:
    #45512
    Messages:
    2,176
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    1998 Limited
    In Sicyota04's post there appears to be enough washers for two changes. Is that true? However, there aren't any Engine drain washers. Where can I buy a complete set of fill and drain washers for
    • Front differential
    • Rear differential
    • Transfer case
    • Transmission
    • Engine
    on my 1998 Tacoma and how do I know which ones go where (or does it really make a difference)?

    I prefer not to buy them from a Toyota dealer.
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2024
  7. Aug 5, 2024 at 9:13 AM
    #7
    Red_03Taco

    Red_03Taco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2021
    Member:
    #381170
    Messages:
    1,278
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jerad
    Vehicle:
    2003 Tacoma Xtra Cab 4WD

    I've always just bought the kit Sicyota04 posted, and then bought engine oil pan washers separate (actually bought some rubber ones for the engine oil pan that spread out as you torque the drain plug down, and they've worked very nicely). Haven't found a complete kit that pairs engine oil washers with the rest.

    I usually just try to match up a new washer of the same style as what was on that particular drain or fill plug prior, but honestly I've switched some up on accident and it's never mattered for me.
     
  8. Aug 5, 2024 at 9:52 AM
    #8
    Sicyota04

    Sicyota04 Slowly but surely.

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2015
    Member:
    #145940
    Messages:
    3,535
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Morgan
    California
    Vehicle:
    04 DC 4x4

Products Discussed in

To Top