Front differential drain plug (2 Viewers)

[bjowett]

The front differential drain plug can be problematic to remove. The issue lies in the large 24mm thread size and smallish 10mm female hex required to remove it. The short of it is that it can round out, and frequently does. For those looking to get rid of the problem, Lexus installs a plug on some front diffs that has a male 14mm nut on it, so a regular 6 point socket or wrench can be utilized to remove it. The part number is 90341-24016. I'll be keeping a few of these on the shelf, or you can buy right through Lexus, Toyota does not supply through their dealers.

 

[nuclearn8]

The front differential drain plug can be problematic to remove. The issue lies in the large 24mm thread size and smallish 10mm female hex required to remove it. The short of it is that it can round out, and frequently does. For those looking to get rid of the problem, Lexus installs a plug on some front diffs that has a male 14mm nut on it, so a regular 6 point socket or wrench can be utilized to remove it. The part number is 90341-24016. I'll be keeping a few of these on the shelf, or you can buy right through Lexus, Toyota does not supply through their dealers.

this is an option too... TOYOTA/LEXUS NISSAN/ INFINITI
have them on our 4Runner, work amazingly well with no issues for 60,000 miles and two diff oil changes so far...

 

[OGBeno]

The front differential drain plug can be problematic to remove. The issue lies in the large 24mm thread size and smallish 10mm female hex required to remove it. The short of it is that it can round out, and frequently does. For those looking to get rid of the problem, Lexus installs a plug on some front diffs that has a male 14mm nut on it, so a regular 6 point socket or wrench can be utilized to remove it. The part number is 90341-24016. I'll be keeping a few of these on the shelf, or you can buy right through Lexus, Toyota does not supply through their dealers.

Toyota does if you are savvy.



Good work @bjowett as always sir.

 

[bjowett]

All righty then... you can get these through Beno, too.

 

[bjowett]

I like the idea of the stronger plugs... but would like to see some data to back them up as being better.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

This is indeed very good info! I take it that the torque values would remain the same. Does the male version use the same gasket?

 

[bjowett]

Torque is the same. Gasket is the same.

 

[hankinid]

I like the idea of the stronger plugs... but would like to see some data to back them up as being better.

Tightening torque doesn't change, but the strength of the plug head becomes important when you want to remove it. When loosening the plug, far more torque needed to break 14mm plug head than a 10mm socket.

Steve

 

[bjowett]

Steve, I did not supply enough info to keep things clear, so thank you for posting. By "stronger plugs" I was referring to the strength of the magnet that is installed in the OEM vs the aftermarket piece mentioned by nuclearn8 . The torque required to remove this will remain the same, as the thread diameter/engagement and copper seal are all the same. The 14mm and 10mm measurements refer only to the tools required to remove.

 

[Romer]

I just changed my Diff fluid. The 10MM plug is the kind I have always changed my cruisers to for both diffs and never had an issue. In fact I replaced my rear with the Hex head bolts. I didn't have an issue with any of these. I have good quality Hex Socket heads I bought from Marlin.

Have you had these round out on you? I tend to but the Hex socket into the plug and tap it in good before adding the socket.

 

[bjowett]

Ken, these can require more torque to remove than the smaller style... this is due to the extra diameter and length of sealing contact surface. So if you add in a less than seated imperfect tool, they tend to be rounded out much more easily than the smaller units.

 

[Romer]

Ken, these can require more torque to remove than the smaller style... this is due to the extra diameter and length of sealing contact surface. So if you add in a less than seated imperfect tool, they tend to be rounded out much more easily than the smaller units.

I can see that. When I first put it in, it did slip which would have rounded it out. When I tapped it, it seated much better. The plug you reference I am sure is superior.

Whats really a pain is having to take off two of my ARB skid plates to do the Oil filter and the Diff. Wanted yo get it all done while I was in there

 

[hankinid]

Steve, I did not supply enough info to keep things clear, so thank you for posting. By "stronger plugs" I was referring to the strength of the magnet that is installed in the OEM vs the aftermarket piece mentioned by nuclearn8 . The torque required to remove this will remain the same, as the thread diameter/engagement and copper seal are all the same. The 14mm and 10mm measurements refer only to the tools required to remove.

Brian, I could have been more clear...I was writing about the plug itself and the tool to remove it. If the plug is dead-stuck, a socket has less chance of rounding the plug than a hex tool.

Steve

 

[AeroAggie]

Toyota does if you are savvy.

What's the Toyota part number, or how do I get one from you, @beno?

My drain plug is properly f'd. I cranked on it with a 24" breaker bar and it didn't budge, but it did get nice and round inside the hex. I topped off the fill to replace what drooled out, but I still want to do a full drain and fill soon. My cruiser has 140k on the clock and I assume the diff, TC, and trans fluids are all original. Once I get a new plug in hand, I'll attack the original with a vengence. Or maybe just wait until lift installation and see if Slee can do something tricksy to get it out of there.

 

[1MAC]

What's the Toyota part number, or how do I get one from you, @beno?

My drain plug is properly f'd. I cranked on it with a 24" breaker bar and it didn't budge, but it did get nice and round inside the hex. I topped off the fill to replace what drooled out, but I still want to do a full drain and fill soon. My cruiser has 140k on the clock and I assume the diff, TC, and trans fluids are all original. Once I get a new plug in hand, I'll attack the original with a vengence. Or maybe just wait until lift installation and see if Slee can do something tricksy to get it out of there.

Not that tricky to drain a diff without pulling the plug.
Amazon.com: OTC (2359) Oil Suction Gun: Automotive

 

[Hanzo]

Is there a replacement for the fill plug? Trying to change the fluid now and I can't remove the drain plug. I'd like to replace them both if I can.

 

[bloc]

Add me to the list of rounded front diff drains. Quality hex tool, no extensions, the damn thing is just too tight for that 10mm hex to get the job done.

Will try to order the 14mm lexus part through my local toyota hookup before welding a nut to the stuck part. yay.

On a positive note the rear diff oil looked pretty good. Not sure whether it was original at 108k or was getting done every 15k per the "special operating conditions" notes.

 

[GOLIGHTLY]

Not that tricky to drain a diff without pulling the plug.
Amazon.com: OTC (2359) Oil Suction Gun: Automotive

Reading through this to troubleshoot my own front diff drain plug woes and just wanted to say, I'm here for ANYTHING involving/requiring a "suction gun"

 

[LX4x4]

I ordered from Kaon: front drain plug, drain plug removal tool, front fill plug (hex)...
But Lexus drain plug is much cheaper.

My plan:

Make the plug cold by freeze spray (compress air upside down)

Anti Cam out fluid

Something that could work well is dead blow hammer on the end of the wrench while having someone else apply pressure at the same time. As long as this does not deform the plug.

Overkill.. but don't want to fail. Can't be that hard right.

 

[mdh384]

I went with the kaon ones as I didn't know Mr T already had a solution. I ended up using an extractor on mine. Some folks have luck with a freshly sharpened chisel

Toyota Hilux KUN26 Prado 90/120/150 FJ LC 200 series Diff Front-Drain Plug

Toyota Hilux KUN26 Prado 90/120/150 FJ LC 200 series Diff Front-Drain Plug

www.kaon.com.au

Front Diff Fill Plug for Toyota

Front diff fill plug to suit Toyota: Replace your damaged or missing front diff fill plug with our high-quality replacement part, designed to fit Toyota vehicles.

www.kaon.com.au