dcdyd

I have 08. Today, I was going to replace the transfer case oil. The truck is about 65K miles. After I took off the protection sheet under the body, I found the difficulty. The plug and drain plugs are 24mm hex bolts. The space is very tight. See below for the placement of the two plugs.



The picture was taken from behind the truck and the spece is very limited. So it may not be easy to understand.

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

I saw in your other threads you already did this. I would suggest to anyone to make sure they can remove their fill plug first just in case drain plug won't budge. I would also suggest spraying some deep creep on it and letting it sit for 15 minutes or so. How did you eventually get it off (that's what she said)? I would have used a socket with allen attached - would that work or would that still be too tight?

dcdyd

No, I have not been able to do this yet. I did the ATF replacement described in other thread. I will try to do this next week. The drain plug may be OK, the fill plug is really difficult. Not much space to work around.

dcdyd

I noticed this thread. Although it is for RX300, it has similar drain plug location. But it has different fill plug location. I will try to find way to get it loosen and will report back how I do it.

rsen99

Heat, and shallow socket did the trick for my 2004. Make sure you can get the fill plug off first before removing drain plug.

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

My thought is you should try:

1/4 inch drive ratchet (maybe 3/8 drive dont know how tight it is)
+
joint
+
3 in extension (may or may not need)
+
hex socket like this:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...30-153934068-2

if link doesnt show up google:

Craftsman Evolv 7 pc. Hex Bit Socket Set SAE

hope this helps.

Good luck man and report back with results

dcdyd

It is snowing here is Minnesota and I will wait until it gets a little warmer. I will report back with the method I use for opening these two nuts up.

hypervish

Post #198 in this thread shows how to change the rear diff and transfer case fluids in a 04' RX330.

dcdyd

Thanks, hypervish. This is exactly what I am looking for. Looks like that 2004 330 has the same layout in terms how transfer case is located and I will try to use the technique described there to loose the nuts. One correction to the post you pointed out, that was transfer case, not the front diff. The front diff is connected with the trans and when you change ATF you change the fluid for front diff.

hypervish

You're welcome!

And, yes that's correct that poster used incorrect terminology.

HtownBlue

Purchase the correct CROWS FOOT TUBING STYLE attachment for your ratchet. Make sure you buy the kind with the two "notches" and not the simple open ended cheap designs. This will allow for a LOT of secure tourque that will NOT strip the bolt/nut.

A tubing wrench might work as well too. Attach a breaker bar if needed.