Important - SC300/400/GS/MKIV diff drain and fill plug bit type
11-25-12, 01:16 AM
#1
Important - SC300/400/GS/MKIV diff drain and fill plug bit type
I am creating this thread to draw attention to an issue that, perhaps, some members have already figured out if they've referred to the factory shop manuals for the SC, GS or Supra but which doesn't appear to be the norm in all differential swap/maintenance writeups.
Many writeups regarding diff swaps have listed the correct bit to access the drain and fill plugs on these common differential pumpkins as a 10mm Hex. This isn't correct and I can tell you firsthand that while a 10mm Hex bit will work for a while it will eventually strip out your drain and fill plugs. I just spent the better part of an afternoon and evening tapping out a stripped fill plug because of trusting this information.
The correct bit to use to access your differential drain and fill plugs on an SC, GS or MKIV is a T-55 Star. Most national auto parts stores carry them. A 10mm Hex will technically work but you will risk stripping the plug with continued use.
To tap out the plug I first tried an oddball 7/16ths Hex (equivalent to 11mm roughly) before giving a T-60 Star a try. That worked, finally.
Anyone doing their own diff oil changes take note, please. I'm sure there are people with shop manuals who know this already but the T-55 Star bit isn't referenced in many writeups and it is definitely what should be used.
Many writeups regarding diff swaps have listed the correct bit to access the drain and fill plugs on these common differential pumpkins as a 10mm Hex. This isn't correct and I can tell you firsthand that while a 10mm Hex bit will work for a while it will eventually strip out your drain and fill plugs. I just spent the better part of an afternoon and evening tapping out a stripped fill plug because of trusting this information.
The correct bit to use to access your differential drain and fill plugs on an SC, GS or MKIV is a T-55 Star. Most national auto parts stores carry them. A 10mm Hex will technically work but you will risk stripping the plug with continued use.
To tap out the plug I first tried an oddball 7/16ths Hex (equivalent to 11mm roughly) before giving a T-60 Star a try. That worked, finally.
Anyone doing their own diff oil changes take note, please. I'm sure there are people with shop manuals who know this already but the T-55 Star bit isn't referenced in many writeups and it is definitely what should be used.
Last edited by KahnBB6; 11-25-12 at 01:21 AM.
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dcdyd
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