Anyone remove the differential cover (fill bolt side) before?

[lagvoid]

After lots of cursing at myself for stripping/rounding the diff fill bolt, I'm hoping that I can remove the cover to try and get it out. I think I'll have enough room to get to the 10/12mm bolts that hold it in place, but I'm not too sure about whats up top. Also, is there a gasket or just RTV silicone to seal it back up?

I'd appreciate if anyone could provide any help or tips before I get myself into more trouble.

Thanks

[toyomoho]

Is this the side plate. It is just an excess plate, nothing else. Manual states it has a gasket. 18 ft-lbs on the bolts. Toyota states to install the bolts with a tread sealant. Three Bond 1324 or equivalent, a Google search should turn up equivalent products.

[lagvoid]

It's probably the plate you're talking about. The side with the fill plug/cooling fins.



When I reached up towards the top, I felt that metal cylinder piece and wasn't sure what that was. I also could not see or feel if there were bolts at the top side to remove.