I have a used 1985 4Runner that was built into a crawler by PO.

front differential drain plug was pretty mangled and weeping oil when I got it. My goal was to replace with a 10mm Allen plug. I got it spinning by using a pinch and hammer, because a socket wouldn’t fit.

problem now is the plug just keeps spinning, won’t back out. I imagine the threads on it or the housing are stripped.

any ideas on getting it out short of taking apart the front axle to remove 3rd member?

thanks!

 

Can you get some vice-grip pliers on it so that you can exert some outward force while turning??

 

I might be able to... the bolt is pretty rounded off and it doesn’t stick out much past the circular rim surrounding the bolt, but I’ll give it a try. Thanks

 

Well, I got a good purchase with a needle nose vise grip, but still no luck. Just spins.

im seeing a removal of axles and 3rd member in my near future:/

 

You could tack weld an eye hook or similar onto the plug and go at it with a slide-hammer puller.

 

Got it out!!! Eye bolt worked. Just pulled hard as I turned with a punch through the eye bolt for a handle

 

They make some rubber plugs that expand when their center bolt is tightened, that would probably keep the oil in that punkin.