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Differential Drain Plug-Won't Budge

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Rocko9999, May 8, 2023.

  1. May 8, 2025 at 12:19 PM
    #61
    Nick B

    Nick B New Member

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    Think those would work with a long 1/2” breaker bar ?
     
  2. May 8, 2025 at 12:39 PM
    #62
    scottiezilla

    scottiezilla New Member

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    There’s really no room for long tool less you lift up the truck
    Keep in mind the leverage angle
     
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  3. May 8, 2025 at 10:45 PM
    #63
    Superdave1.0

    Superdave1.0 New Member

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    I've drained and filled well over 100 Tacoma/4runner front diffs. Only had 1 drain bolt strip, it was my personal GX470 before I became proficient at working on Toyota trucks.

    For the front diff drain bolt I use a very long (18-20 inch) 3/8 ratchet and 10mm hex socket. There isn't much room for the ratchet head at the drain plug.

    With the truck jacked up is better. Once the socket is fully inserted into the hex bolt, I smack the long ratchet once or twice. This usually breaks it free. If not, then I very carefully apply steady pressure, making sure the hex socket stays straight. It's easy for it to get crooked, since the head of the ratchet can interfere with the diff housing if not at the correct angle.
     
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  4. May 15, 2025 at 2:20 AM
    #64
    Greg D

    Greg D New Member

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    Borla exhaust, Jet MAF sensor, K&N filter, Hayden rapid cool transmission cooler, Hella horns, electric fan, Pedal Commander, Derale power steering cooler,
    Same issue. I bought this for $34 on Amazon and it worked perfectly. I replaced with a stainless steel 19mm plug from Amazon. Make sure you support the rachet to keep it straight and not twist the tap out. I didn't have to drill, just hammer best fit into the plug. Don't buy factory Toyota parts from Amazon. Lots of fakes. ToyotaPartsDeal.com., is the cheapest, fastest OEM parts I have found.

    17473002986861837083787904214680.jpg
     
  5. May 15, 2025 at 11:34 AM
    #65
    Andynj

    Andynj New Member

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    Yes but it depends on your situation, I had my T4R up on Quickjacks so it was 2ft in the air so getting the leverage on a long bar was not a problem. I think the key here is making sure you have enough pressure on the head of the nut, the longer the bar the greater the chance it will slip and round the hex. I am not sure if you are supposed on use an impact but the direct pressure is what I think broke it loose, there was no rust at all on the threads my guess is that these plugs were put on dry before the diffs were filled and the torque spec is too high for that. Once they have been take off once and oil is on the threads I don't think they will have issue coming off. Moral of the story here is if you have a new (ish) T4R change your diff oil ASAP to make sure you can get the drain plug off.
     
  6. May 15, 2025 at 12:11 PM
    #66
    Nick B

    Nick B New Member

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    I only have 5k miles on my 2024 but this thread has me thinking about breaking my diff plug loose and then retorquing it to
    30 ft lbs like the oil pan drain plug .
     
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  7. May 15, 2025 at 2:05 PM
    #67
    Andynj

    Andynj New Member

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    Its worth it just for the satisfaction of cleaning all the metal sludge off!
     
  8. May 15, 2025 at 4:24 PM
    #68
    scottiezilla

    scottiezilla New Member

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    he’d just be cracking the seal n retorquing the bolt
    Not a drain at 5k

    this way in the future he’s set

    right?
     
  9. May 15, 2025 at 5:24 PM
    #69
    Nick B

    Nick B New Member

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    Yep
     
  10. May 15, 2025 at 5:28 PM
    #70
    Nick B

    Nick B New Member

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    Since I haven’t done a drain and refill yet someone please post a pic of the location of this plug.
    TIA .
     
  11. May 16, 2025 at 7:57 AM
    #71
    scottiezilla

    scottiezilla New Member

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    Nick B[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. May 16, 2025 at 1:16 PM
    #72
    scottiezilla

    scottiezilla New Member

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    when it broke free, the noise…IMG_7296.jpg IMG_7298.png…thought I broke my arm

    Side note: read somewhere bout a guy putting antiseize on the plug before reinstalling to avoid all this, different vehicle…I dunno, but I’m pretty sure that’s a realllllllly bad idea
     

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