Do I Need to Torque Diff and Transmission

[JerryBob]

Getting ready to lube my 4WD manual trans Tacoma truck. The manual stays 30lb/feet of torque. I don't own a torque wrench.

How necessary is it to purchase one? I've done them before over the years, and have never torqued them before.

 

[Ken42]

Torque what to what? What kind of metals are you dealing with?
I would just say goodandtite.

 

[JerryBob]

Originally Posted By: Ken42
Torque what to what? What kind of metals are you dealing with?
I would just say goodandtite.


Fill and drain plugs.

 

[skyactiv]

If you have a feel from past experiences tightening things, you shouldn't need a torque wrench for this job. Keep in mind if there is a crush washer used on something, it should be replaced.

 

[Rand]

30ftlb just use a 1/4" drive ratchet and go tight but not gorilla tight. (ie. dont hang from it.)

fill and drain plugs arent really a torque sensitive concern

 

[Roadkingnc]

You would have to pull pretty darn hard to hit 30ft lbs with a 1/4 drive ratchet

 

[Rand]

Thats true.

also the drain plug might take a 1/2" square.

Maybe not the best suggestion. Its what I do but its pretty easy to get good torque when you are directly below.(for me)

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: Rand
30ftlb just use a 1/4" drive ratchet and go tight but not gorilla tight. (ie. dont hang from it.)

fill and drain plugs arent really a torque sensitive concern


I've heard of people stripping the threads on an oil pan or at least making it near impossible to remove without stripping threads. However, every manual transmission drain I've ever done was on an extremely hard steel case where I was thinking the plug would be damaged before the drain or fill threads were. Does this take a crush washer? I'm guessing it does. I prefer aluminum although I know some prefer copper.

I have used a torque wrench on a transmission drain plug before. I think it was overkill, but I had one collecting dust otherwise.

 

[stephen9666]

Using a torque wrench to properly torque something is never a bad idea.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: Rand
Thats true.

also the drain plug might take a 1/2" square.

Maybe not the best suggestion. Its what I do but its pretty easy to get good torque when you are directly below.(for me)

I read 24mm is typical for most Tacomas - both drain and fill.

What takes a square head besides Honda/Acura? I remember my Integras came off with a 3/8" head into the bolt for ATF or manual transmission drains.

My WRX fills through the dipstick hole. But the drain bolt is a T70 Torx head. Ended up buying a fancy German socket for $25 back in 2004. You can find cheaper alternatives for less than $8 now.

 

[Towncivilian]

@y_p_w: Many Nissan diffs, M/T and tcases use 13mm square plugs. Newer Nissans use 10mm square plugs, IIRC from changing the rear diff fluid on the parents' G37. The HF drain plug socket set is a good buy in such cases to help avoid rounding off the plugs; 1/2" drive is 12.7mm.

 

[NYSteve]

Originally Posted By: Rand
30ftlb just use a 1/4" drive ratchet and go tight but not gorilla tight. (ie. dont hang from it.)

fill and drain plugs arent really a torque sensitive concern



You're assuming you can get them off with a 1/4" drive. Those factory plugs ARE gorilla tight and you feel like you need to hang from them to get them undone.

 

[JerryBob]

I think I'll just use the two-grunts-and-a-faart method.