Transmission Refill plug is stuck on my 2005 SR5

So I ended up semi-stripping the 15/16 refill plug/bolt on my automatic transmission. I don’t know if heating it will help but I have tried a small lighter-torch with no avail... I am trying my best not to strip the plug any more than I have, It’s not completely un-grippable, and would ask everyone for anyone’s direction, guidance regarding getting this bolt/plug out!!!

 

I’d hit it with some penetrating oil a few times and let that soak in over night.

Make sure you have a proper fitting socket or wrench and use a breaker bar if need be.
Do you have a new plug on hand to install once the old is out?

 

I'm actually currently trying to figure out where to purchase one, (Autozone, Napa or O'Reilly...) I’m on the phone with Napa right now...

 

Try calling a dealer nearby?

 

What about refilling through the dipstick tube? That’s how I do mine....

 

The 2005 doesn’t have a dipstick unfortunately, it has a 14mm drain plug just like the oil, then it has a check plug where the head of the bolt/plug has a 5 mm hex socket that is used in place of the dipstick. You unscrew that, then fill the transmission with atf through the fill plug which is a 15/16 bolt (very shallow head, easy to strip which is exactly what I did) until it starts to drip out of the check/overflow plug hole, indicating the tranny is full. So all together 3 bolts. I just ordered a new 15/16 fill plug through the Toyota dealership for when I get the other one loose, and I sprayed the plug with some WD40 type spray to hopefully creep into the threads to help break it loose. So if anyone thinks I'm missing something or has a better idea, please help!

 

Well worse comes to worse. You can get a cheap outboard lower end unit oil pump and pump it in the check hole?

 

If it gets to where it’s completely stripped you can always angle a chisel into the plug and tap with a hammer


Can you get a wrench in there? A socket on that shallow head makes it easy to strip

 

Parts can be sourced from a Toyota online catalog with free shipping to your local dealer for pickup.

Ideas to remove are penetrating oil, heat and hammering on a smaller socket, similar to removing wheel locks without the lock key. I did this (lock removal without lock key) last week.

Next is to take it to a repair shop and have them weld a hex nut on the stripped bolt head.

 

Have you tried a bolt extractor socket? Irwin?
FWIW I used a 24mm socket and a breaker bar. Its not torqued high, but since it doesnt move often and there is some suction it its on there good. Makes a popping sound. Do not use an 8 inch ratchet. Get something 12 in or longer and itll pop off.

Also wear padded gloves or youll smack your knuckles hard when it breaks free.

Did tranny service on my 05 Taco and 07 4runner this year. Both have the same setup.

 

And there are a lot of youtube videos that show various ways to remove rounded bolts. Removing it the next time use 6-point sockets, much better than 12-point.

 

I have a 2005 SR5 V6 with 150,000 miles. I took it to the dealer at 100,000 miles for ATF change. Bill was over $400, but they say this is a job that is not for amateurs. Toyota maintenance on the 4 runner tranny says nothing (never needs changing?). How's did your old fluid look? Like brand new? Dirty red?

Make sure you fill it back up to the proper level or you can have "issues". Also, I would buy the ATF from a Toyota dealer.

I personally would not do any maintenance on my 4runner transmission, and bit the bullet and have the dealer do this (experience and special tools).

Price was high because we live in the Bahamas and they have a 70% duty on auto parts. labor costs are also inflated 70% over here.

 

Yikes over 400 for ATF? That's a lot specially if Toyota just recommends drain and refills. Honda insists to only drain & refill like motor oil (yes leaving probably half in there) and I've always paid the dealer like 119.00 to do that. Even simple drain/refills say every 50,000-ish miles should net you a 300,000 mile transmission.

 

I took mine in to be serviced just after I got it back on the road, I figured 193k miles it was due. Transmissions are the one item I do not mess with so I let the dealership do the flush and fill. Cost me only $278 and I was fine with that price.