Stuck Diff Drain Plug

planeboy95

New member
Took my truck into Super-Lube for a diff fluid replacement (They were awesome, strait forward and let me watch the whole time) but the front plug just would not budge, even using the largest breaker bar they had. I'm in a temporary apartment and dont have any tools so I have to take it some where or buy the needed tool. Dealership wants $65 just to look at it. Any other options?
 
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Remove the fill plug and pump out as much as possible. Then refill. You'll never get it all but it's better than nothing.
 
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What about adding a gentle amount of heat to that stuck drain plug to encourage it to break free? Or add liquid wrench or the like and let it soak for a day and then go back to Jiffy? I know you don't have any tools but maybe a shop could heat that bolt for you. Or suck it up, take it to a dealer for the diff service, and make them fix it? Bummer. Good luck.

Remove the fill plug and pump out as much as possible. Then refill. You'll never get it all but it's better than nothing.
 
I had the same issue with the rear diff today at Valvoline. Even with penetrating oil they had no luck.

I'm thinking I better take it to Toyota now as it may likely need a new plug when they get the old one off. Hoping there is no damage.
 
The diff service from Toyota is going to cost around 140 (ouch) but for them to even take a look at the plug its 65. I know its trivial but it'd really bother me having different services done to the front and rear as well haha. BUT, I might just take it into toyota for the diff service at let them deal with it
 
At this point it might be the best route taking it to the dealer to have it done and the plug changed out unless you find a reliable mechanic in your area. Obviously it's overdue.

Pricey, but at least in the future you can do it yourself or have another mechanic do it without the heartache you're dealing with now.
 
Just give it a smal couple of hits with a impact gun and it will come free or hit it with a brass hammer acouple times to free it up.
 
Just give it a smal couple of hits with a impact gun and it will come free or hit it with a brass hammer acouple times to free it up.

My rear diff plug was stuck to the point that it was never going to come loose with just torque or impact. I took my 600 ft-lb IR impact to it, and it just smeared the material around the hex after blaring on it for a while.

I welded a full size nut to it, then it zipped right off with the impact. Probably from the heat of welding to it. I never bothered to replace it, because the nut gives way more surface area for a socket to grab onto.
 
I've read threads of people using a ball peen hammer (?) to hit the plug and then taking it off which works for some reason. My plug is stuck and that's what I plan on trying when I get around to it.
 
I've found hitting a hammer (not too hard) near the plug while applying loosening force to the plug works. Same thing for Crouse Hines electrical boxes that will lose their ears from direct hammering on the part that needs to come off.
 

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