front diff plugs option

[Supra725]

So last time when I went to change my rear axle seals. I decided to swap out the fluids as well.. however I have stumble on to an problem...

my mechanic wasn't able to remove the drain plug on the front diff..

my question is.... is there any options of changing out the front diff drain plug to our rear diff drain plug style or the oil drain plug? would it be also to change the fill plugs to an different style? cause I hate those stupid allen head type plugs.. they are an pain in the arse..

I did however found an local shop that will change the front diff oil out for $29 dollars but I would have to bring my own oil (which I'm fine with it)

thanks..

 

[shadow247]

If he can't get the drain plug out, have him take the fill plug out and use a vacuum syringe to get as much of the old fluid out as possible. Then just fill it back up and you are good to go.

 

[Brian1973]

so I guess that is a NO to some kind of option for front diff drain plug... lol Sure seems a better way is to drain from the drain than sucking fluids from the fill plug... working on getting my free but definitely gonna ask a local import shop about a different plug... that's just plain silly with that allen style....

 

[downpour11]

If he can't get the drain plug out, have him take the fill plug out and use a vacuum syringe to get as much of the old fluid out as possible. Then just fill it back up and you are good to go.

This is what I had done. They were able to get practically all of it out no problems, worked great.

 

[Brian1973]

I used a chisel and hammer on the outside edge... it eventually turned it! what a pita! :-(

 

[Kanger328]

I used a chisel and hammer on the outside edge... it eventually turned it! what a pita! :-(

You just notched the edge with the chisel, then hit it at an angle counterclockwise? Sorry to thread jack...but I've been having a HELL of a time trying to get the drain plug off too.

 

[jreask]

I put the short side of the Allen wrench into the plug, making sure it is seated all the way in and then strike the wrench with a two pound sledge. Works every time.

 

[cj80cruiser]

If you want a hex head drain plug instead of the allen type see if you can find someone to weld in a short/cut off bolt. The welding will definitely help the plug to break free.

 

[Brian1973]

Yes Kanger, first thought the angled chisel would turn it without mutilating the plug.... just get a bite and turn with the blunt force..... then as it dug into the plug a little I figured a notch would do me well too if I put a flat headed chisel on it.... attempted to notch it to hit it perpendicular with the hammer to a flat chisel.... that did the trick.... however after getting the plug off I noticed that had I notched it too far in to the center of the plug, I would have ruined the seat that seals the hole... I went in almost 1/8 of an inch? the sealing surface is about 3/16.... replaced fluid but going to look for a better plug... and replace the fluid again if I can find one.... or maybe go ahead and get the same silly plug again just to make sure I don't have any leaking fluid from my chisel fun time.... Don't understand Toyota's reasoning for putting that stoopid plug in there.

 

[thor999]

I can't get mine off either, and had asked before if there was an alternative, so put me on this page too! I guess I can go with stock and just be careful not to over tighten, which is obviously what led us here to begin with...

 

[Qyota]

Add a little anti-seize when you put the new plug in. Just a little, and only on the threads, so as not to contaminate your diff lube.

 

[TheDurk]

Note that older plugs take a 10mm hex and round off easier than '99+ which take a 12mm. All new plugs from dlr are 12mm, so Toyota must have known there was an issue. I used anti-seize applied as Qyota suggests at first change at 50k and every change since and never had a problem. I torque to spec, always.(48ft-lb drain, 29 fill).

 

[Flatulento]

I used a chisel and hammer on the outside edge... it eventually turned it! what a pita! :-(

Great suggestion! :hatsoff: After rounding the allen hole, I used a dremmel with a cut-off wheel and very carefully ground a slot across the face of the plug. I could then put a chisel in the slot and tap it with a hammer to break it free. This worked great. After draining, I replaced the slotted plug with a new plug. However, as cj80cruiser has suggested, I should have welded a bolt head or nut to the face of the new plug prior to installation to essentially convert the plug to a hex head style like the rear diff has.