Gear oil change

[Spike555]

So I went under my truck today to change the driveline fluids. Only to be stopped dead in my tracks by the front diff fill plug.
It wouldn't budge and I didn't want to round it over so I stopped.
So my question is, what thread pitch is the plug? Is there an alternate plug that is a hex head or a square drive?

 

[Battleship]

I can't answer your actual question, but can you get a torch on it for a minute?

 

[2001LC]

Can't answer your question, but make sure you use the correct size metric wrench. Wrench should be very snug with 0 wiggly room, and push all the way into clean hole. Then use leverage if you must. They can be very tight.

 

[ton504]

I use the two hammer method lol. Place a brass hammer against the fill and take another hammer and wack the brass one. Now it should come off with your 10mm hex. Works every time. You can possibly use a regular hammer if you dont have a brass one handy.

 

[Spike555]

I use the two hammer method lol. Place a brass hammer against the fill and take another hammer and wack the brass one. Now it should come off with your 10mm hex. Works every time. You can possibly use a regular hammer if you dont have a brass one handy.

What? An excuse to go buy another tool? Say it ain't so!!

Thank you. I will look into that. I did not strip it out, I used a 10mm hex head socket and using a 16oz persuasion tool on the handle of my ratchet I stopped before any real damage was done.

 

[ton504]

You don't have more than one hammer??? Lol. I have like 15 various hammers. Home and auto.

 

[Spike555]

I don't have a brass hammer. I have many hammers, just not brass.
I found the specs for the plugs. So now I can search locally for alternatives.

TOYOTA/LEXUS NISSAN/ INFINITI

 

[jemsec]

Did you use a 10mm hex socket? SAE will ruin it.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

There are hex head replacements available for the 24mm metric bolts. Ping @beno, he can get them for you.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

The factory 10mm allen are much less prone to stripping than 24mm bolts. Probably the reason Mr T did away with the 24mm plugs years ago and many owners upgrade to the 10mm allens. With the difficultly getting to the front plugs I would caution anyone changing to something else.

 

[Spike555]

Did you use a 10mm hex socket? SAE will ruin it.

Yes I did.

 

[hankinid]

The factory 10mm allen are much less prone to stripping than 24mm bolts. Probably the reason Mr T did away with the 24mm plugs years ago and many owners upgrade to the 10mm allens. With the difficultly getting to the front plugs I would caution anyone changing to something else.

Try a 15/16" socket on the 24mm plug...perfect fit and just a bit more snug on the plug.

Steve

 

[Spike555]

I had our mechanic at work break loose the fill plug. So this weekend I'm going to give it another go.