Rear diff housing studs 73fj40

[bigbird73fj40]

Changing rear differential fluid to the first time since I bought. Two of the studs backed out with the nut on them.
1. Technique to get nut off without boogering up threads.
2. Am I screwed that studs came out? Think I can just thread that back in with some loctite correct?
Thanks

 

[73FJ40]

1. Technique to get nut off without boogering up threads.
Needle nose vise grips to hold the stud inbetween the threaded ends, heat and penetrating oil. Or buy new ones from the dealer, part no. 90116-10107, supceded by 90116-10076)
Described as Bolt, NO.1 (For Rear Differential Carrier Set) (L=32,S=12 & 20,COVER,L=32,S=12&20, FOR COVER)

(IMO you may want to consider replacing at least the lock washers (94512-01000) and maybe the nuts (94110-41000)

2. Am I screwed that studs came out? Think I can just thread that back in with some loctite correct?
Yes, can be re-used, just make sure the threads are clean.

Since it's common practice to use the drain and fill plugs to change differential fluid, do you need to remove and replace the original plugs? If so, Toyota offers replacement plugs with a 10 mm allen socket, so trail damage to the original thin hex head plugs and/or the ring around the drain plug will no longer be an issue.

@bdawg23 identified the replacements in his thread, as follows:​

90341-18021
Differential Drain Plugs, Magnetic, 10mm allen
12157-10010
Differential Drain Plug Gasket

 

[Living in the Past]

Double nut the treads that going into the axle housings. Tight against each other. Wrench on the nut closest to the end. Another wrench on the one you want to remove. Could be the thread inside axle housing was looser than the nut. Advantage of studs versus bolts is because it's easier installing a diff in the axle housing.

I would use the double to install studs on the axle housing. Find the correct torque for the nuts holding the diff to axle housing. Then use the double nut to set the studs into the housing using a little more torque. Next time you remove the diff all the studs should stay in the axle housing. Just be sure the first nut is not all the way to end of the threads. What to be sure comes off without removing the stud from the housing.

 

[peesalot]

My drain is all buggered up so I use that stud that comes out to drain diff. Kinda handy. clean and reuse. FWIW I have found that once they come out like that for whatever reason I would find the diff mounting nuts along the bottom to work loose or not loose but not tight where I left em. I would check the diff, dline, & steering arms periodically.

 

[65swb45]

The new studs come with a special threadlocker adhesive already on them that is superior to trying to loctite your old ones. Unless you’re in a hurry, buy the new ones.