Front diff plugs

[Wayne]

I am so glad I started at the rear. I'm trying to change all my gear oils, and when I got the front on my 97 I was like huh? I see what looks like the hex drain plug, rather low and obviously on the front diff. But I don't see anything higher on the diff and the undercarriage is clean. All I can find is another hex bolt that comes down through an opening in the cross-member of the frame, but I can't see what/where it comes from. Its only about an inch lower than the one I thought was the drain. Is that the drain, and if not, what is it? :wtf:

 

[flyinbrick]

The drain plug is the larger one facing sideways. The fill plug is slightly smaller and faces the front and slightly towards the driver's side. Both are hex. Did you remove the skid plate (both of them)? If you do, you should see it fairly easily. BTW, the drain plug was a beeotch to remove.

Look here:
Parts List
Diagram
Fill plug is 4110M, drain plug is 4110P

Be careful not to strip it with a breaker bar (it is easy to do even if the bit is fully seated) like I almost did. I ended up taking it to a shop where they impacted it off. An electric impact gun might have done the job.

 

[Wayne]

4110P is the one I originally thought was the drain. I did not remove the skid plate so that must be why I didn't see the filler. I'll check 'er out again tomorrow. I'll soak it for a week or two in penetrating oil if I have to. I don't even think I own hex wrenches that size so no hurry. Thanks for the diagram.

 

[thor999]

PLEASE remove the fill plug first, I can guarantee that if that drain plug has been removed, it was reinstalled too tight and you WILL strip that POS out when trying to remove it. Like I did. I would like to know if there is a replacement available that we can put a wrench on... and, magnetic... and, with a flexible washer. :rip:

 

[tacojeff]

When the drain plug head strips out, because they pretty much always do. Use a cold chisel to bite on the edge of the head and give it a few taps in the direction to loosen it, it will move easy this way, and you won't destroy the plug.

 

[Brian1973]

chisel or allen wrench... mine isn't budging... dang you Toyota!

 

[Ghostrider]

One thing I found that worked for the fill plug was to put the Runner up on ramps. That gave me enough height to be able to pull down hard on the breaker bar. And yes this is another stupid design by Toyota. They really ought to force their engineers to work on things they design. It might make them design them to be easier to work on. Some of my favorite stupid designs are

1. rear shocks - the top bolt????!!!!!! An eye connection would have worked
2. Absolutely cheap screw holding MAF sensor on. Stripping the head is common Replaced with a 50 cent hex head bolt
3. Front differential plugs