I am changing all of the fluids in my 1999 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4X4 to synthetic. No problems with anything until I got to the front differential. Here I ran into a different style of plugs on both the filler and the drain. The previous owner has severely damaged both of them, and probably did not ever get them out. I am afraid the truck may still have the original fluid in the front diff. Can anyone fill me in on how to get these plugs out?

 

hammer a socket onto the bolt and hit it with an airgun. it'll zip off. and replace the plugs!

 

Thanks. The only problem is these 2 plugs are female. None of the others were. I am not sure if they needed allan wrenches or torques.

 

You could try an easy-out for removing broken bolts. Spray them with PB Blaster penetrating oil and let it soak for a while before trying to remove the plug.

It may not have been the owner that damaged them. May have been a quickie lube pit monkey.



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Well that's weird. I've never heard of female bolts on a diff?

 

I've seen it numerous times. Usually a 3/8" drive extension fits right into the square hole. You just use a socket wrench without a socket.

 

Lots of low profile diff plugs are 10mm Allen head. Try some professional grade ez outs.

Generic thread titles like "please help" will be axed in the future.

:wabbit2:

 

Worst case, weld a nut to it.

 

Worst worst case, find the crappiest wrench you own and weld that to it.
Then weld it to the other plug.

Had to do this on a drain plug once..

 

The nuts are allan style. Not torx.
I believe one is a 10MM and one is a 12MM.
Try and get an 11 and a 13MM allan and hammer them in there. If that doesn't work then you need something like an EZ out.
When re installing new plugs, do not over torque them.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.. I don't understand why people have such big issues with these plugs.

 

It is quite easy you just use the wrong size wrench ,socket, etc or turn it the wrong way.

Then just keep on beating till what you where trying to remove is pretty much destroyed

I find this all often in the Toyota`s I buy or work on. In the great Salt belt.

 

So many times, I have had the same issue with numerous other plugs and screws....I have never been let down by the proper application of a slightly dull medium chisel and a hammer.