rounded diff plug with low fluid question

[DewYota]

this is on my 4runner, i was told i could fill it threw the diff breather but when getting under there in the snow, mud, rock driveway i thought there has to be a simpler way, i have an extended breather hose that goes to my gas filler cap, can i send gear oil down that? when doing the extended breather it didnt seem like anything special down there just a nozzle that had threads and a tube fitting.

So input on this would be great

driving it to california friday.

Thanks!

 

[chans]

Can't you use vice grips to get the fill plug out? If not you can unbolt the breather from the top of the diff and fill from there but you wouldn't know if you overfill it. If the extended hose was attached to the diff with a union or stripped out breather then it should work.

 

[DewYota]

well i kinda have been loosing it, and it is spinning the tube around and its just annoying and theres no room to work on it, i want to say it was just a strait little fitting like no one way stuff in it, just a hole. anyone know toyotas breather tubes specifically?

fill plug is round, with star pattern in the middle but the star is now a circle, im going to have to probably grind the sides to get vices on it. but im just wanting a little fluid in there before i take off to cali, just a little will do. it is already 1/2 to 2/3 full

 

[chadschoon]

is it possible to weld a nut to the stripped fill plug and then just use a wrench to get it out?

 

[Bucking Bronco]

How do you know its low?

 

[DewYota]

I dont have access to a welder, and im leaving to california tomorrow so maybe when i get back i could do that,

its low because i changed out the oil seal at the end of the axle and it leaks a little when you do this, it didnt leak much but i just want the peace of mind. ive heard its not a bad thing if its over filled but obviously if its chucked full it cant breath.... i understand that

 

[Kiel]

Sounds like your screwed then. I would just get the plug out, a chisel and a ball peen hammer will usually get them out when rounded

 

[420willys]

drill a hole in the housing, fill the the axle with oil, stuff a rubber cork in the hole, fix it right when you get home. or just try to chissle the old one out, really no other way.

jason.

 

[DewYota]

well i did try the fluid down the tube i put in about half a quart, not really knowing how much i would need. it all went down fine, was a little back pressure coming out of the tube as the fluid filled the diff.
i was about to go get the drill but decided not to because i dont have any safety glasses.

 

[Slangy]

You could go buy you a Craftsman Bolt Out set and give that a shot.