jolomo

My 2001 AWD RX300 has corrosion around the inspection plug and drain plug on the rear differential. The Lexus dealer indicated it was going to take several hours to free them, so the fluid level can be checked. I have about 160,000 miles on the RX and I recently realized that Full Service did not include checking the transfer case and rear differential.

Is there a method or chemical can easily free these plugs up?

carguy07

If you can't break them free, I would just keep driving and forget about it. It's not a limited slip or anything. The fluid is still in there, it's just beat and smells horrible.

jolomo

Will leaving this old fluid in the differential, cause a failure? I have no idea how old the fluid is? The best I can tell by looking at the previous owners service receipts, at 99,675 miles they were billed for 8 quarts of gear lube. The service was performed in April 09. The RX now has about 172,000 miles.

The local dealer does not know how to deal with this corrosion since we are in El Paso, TX where we don't have a corrosion problem. The RX came from Kansas about 6 years ago.

carguy07

I think the rear differential and transfer case each take around 1 quart. I don't think anyone can answer your question as to will leaving it alone cause a failure. It's kind of like asking what happens when you don't change your brake fluid regularly. The answer is usually nothing... but sometimes you can have issues. How long do you anticipate keeping the car? I know some guys have had luck breaking the plugs loose with an impact wrench. My guess is the dealer is being lazy and doesn't want to mess with them. Maybe see if an independent can do the service? Nothing magic about going to the dealer for this one.

Lexmus

Spray penetrating oil (e.g. PB blaster) on both plugs once a day for several days and then hit it with the impact wrench. If you don't have an impact wrench, do the penetrating oil treatment before taking it into the mechanic.

salimshah

Sears offers a tool that has 1/2" head. When you strike it, it twists a bit.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-impac...FYMuaQodQlIA7g

It is important that you dont mess up the head.

Salim

trhs75

I'd be surprised if you can't get it out on your own using the excellent suggestions above. Someone once very wisely pointed out that you need to make sure you can loosen the fill plug before you take the drain plug all the way out. There's nothing worse than draining the fluid and having no way to put more in!!

thomas1

It is an impact tool, the only savior to the old aluminum Honda Motorcycles for getting out phillips heads that are corroaded.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

Is the car from out of state? I see you are in Texas and there is no reason it should be rusted that badly