Tricks for diff. fill plug??!

[LittleWhiteBubble]

I spent about an hour trying to get off the fill plug for my differential a few months back and finally gave up. And knowing the last owner probably never had it done either, I need to get back on it and have it done. I prefer to do it myself because I just don't trust anyone else to work on my car. But does anyone have any tricks or ideas on how to get the plug out??

If I recall correctly I barely had enough space to put a ratchet on it, but then not enough room to turn it. And I couldn't get a combination wrench to budge because I couldn't get leverage. I even tried doing it from under the hood but I couldn't get a good spot up there either. Anyone have tips or a special tool they can recommend? I'd gladly buy another ratchet handle just for this job. The dealership wants 80 bucks!

[djb2]

Which engine and transmission?

The A140e transmission on the 2.2L 4 cylinder 5s-fe has the diff fill plug on the transmission rear face, close to the firewall. It's designed to be reached from below, but you can get to it from above if you remove the air duct between the air filter and throttle body. You'll be working by feel, since your wrench arm blocks the view, but it's very doable.

You'll likely be filling from above with a funnel and tube (the alternate is using a pump from below), so you would need to remove the air duct for that step anyway.

While you can do the drain and fill for both transmission and diff without lifting the car, the downside is that you won't be able to get a torque wrench on the fill plug.

[LittleWhiteBubble]

It's the 5s-fe. I thought that was the only one with the separate diff fluid. I have a pump to get the new fluid in. But with a regular wrench I was unable to get leverage even from above.

[fenixus]

spray it good with PB Blaster penetrating oil, wait like 5-10 mins, spray again, wait, wipe clean.
then use a 17mm regular socket and a 3/8'' ratchet (it fits the area on 5s-fe).

if it still doesn't budge, get a piece of pipe that you can put on the ratchet and use as a leverage.

remember it opens up normally, meaning counterclockwise.

ah and 1 more thing. do it from bottom, so you can get good support with your whole body on ground. that's how I opened mine, took me like 15 mins of struggle, but eventually it broke free.

[LittleWhiteBubble]

I'll give it another go tonight. If I can't get it, my mechanic said he'll do it for $40. I'm going to jack it way up in the air so I can get more leverage on it. Hopefully the second time is the charm

[Chris Crash]

....$40 to remove the plug?!

Screw that. You can do it yourself.

[LittleWhiteBubble]

Yea I'd rather not pay 40 bucks for a drain and fill. He'd only be charging me 40 which is better than 80 at toyota, but I'd still rather do it myself. I busted my hand up pretty bad trying it last time which is why I quit, but I got some thick rubber gloves so hopefully that will do the trick.

[Chris Crash]

IT'S JUST A FLESH WOUND!

but seriously, you can do it man. It just takes patience. Maybe some creativity. Don't be afraid to use a hammer and every other tool at your disposal.

[Hajoca]

I just did this on Saturday... IIRC 24mm socket on 1/2" ratchet.

Remove air intake hose, disconnect at throttle body and air cleaner, undo a couple clips and guides for throttle cable, air intake temp probe (on air box), Transmission vent line.

From the top put wrench on, and I used a 14" length of pipe to tap the wrench to break it loose.

[JohnGD]

How about a breaker bar like in:
http://www.harborfreight.com/17-piec...set-45467.html

[AliRazoR]

i just used this and a and hit it with piece of brick.

[71Corolla]

Always use a 6-sided socket or spanner for stubborn bolts, unless you have no other choice. Like Hajoca says, get it from the top, use a pipe and that sucker will come loose easily.

[LittleWhiteBubble]

GOT IT! Thanks for the extra boost in confidence guys haha. This time I put the car on ramps instead of my jack stands so it was higher off the ground. I used my standard length 3/8 ratchet and wore some thick rubber gloves so I would bust my hands up and forced it with both hands full force and it cracked loose. When I drained it only about 1/8 of a quart of pitch black fluid came out..... I jacked up the back pretty level and got 1.5 quarts back in. So glad it's finally been done. There's a noticeable difference in response and driveability. Much less lag on downshift acceleration.

Best part is I already had the fluid so it didn't cost me anything!

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by LittleWhiteBubble

GOT IT! Thanks for the extra boost in confidence guys haha. This time I put the car on ramps instead of my jack stands so it was higher off the ground. I used my standard length 3/8 ratchet and wore some thick rubber gloves so I would bust my hands up and forced it with both hands full force and it cracked loose. When I drained it only about 1/8 of a quart of pitch black fluid came out..... I jacked up the back pretty level and got 1.5 quarts back in. So glad it's finally been done. There's a noticeable difference in response and driveability. Much less lag on downshift acceleration.

Best part is I already had the fluid so it didn't cost me anything!

here you go! wasn't that hard, was it hehe
yeah, I usually wear thick gloves (fabric on top, rubber on bottom) so i can protect my knuckles whatever I do hehe, besides less dirt under my nails

good idea about jacking the rear up to level out the car. last time i refilled it I had only front jacked up, so probably my differential is not fully full, anyways I noticed same smoother ride afterwards

[LittleWhiteBubble]

Yea I figured leveling it out would be a good idea, but I didn't raise it until I got the plugs out. I don't like jerking things around under there with the entire car suspended above me.