T-Case Fluid Change

For those that have done their t-case fluid change, did you use regular Teflon tape to wrap around the drain and fill plug? How far in did you screw in the plugs?

And how the heck are you supposed to be able to torque those plugs down to 26 ft/lbs?

 

I put Teflon tape on the plugs a couple of threads from the end and just tightened plugs a little bit, did not torque them. NPT threads are not really designed for tightening to a specific torque. The plugs were not that tight from the factory. The case is made of aluminum so you don’t want to make them super tight.

 

No teflon tape required, torque to spec.

 

Practice 26 lb-ft on something else. Thereby "calibrating" your wrist. Then install and snug up the plug.

26 lb-ft isn't very much past hand tight.

 

What he said. No teflon tape, just torqued to spec.

 

I wire brushed threads and put on teflon paste. Not sure I would want to torque to 26lb though

 

Another for Teflon tape, no torque needed.

 

If 26 ft-lbs is spec, then that's what it was before the swap. Set your torque wrench to 26 ft-lbs with a socket on it, and twist on the socket with your hand. It's not much at all.

I'm about to drain and fill mine. I'm less comfortable guesstimating it.

 

I did do that no way was mine 26 more like 15

 

Just did mine this weekend, used some permatex thread sealant. Definitely was not very tight, didn't wrench on it at all. Stopped once I felt it snug up. No leaks yet after 100-mile test drive.

 

Yeah my torque wrench really doesn't work well in reverse. But I marked it and cracked it loose put torque wrench at 26 and it would have went way past original mark. Just wanted to get an idea because it was really loose when I took it off

 

I'm planning on changing the transfer case and differentials shmoo in the next week or two. I got the permatex thread sealant for the transfer case plugs. Teflon tape should work fine, and with mailable threads (aluminum) and holding back unpressurized shmoo, mildly torqued bare NTP threads should also work fine.
I like the thread sealant because it also acts like a low strength thread locker.

 

Thread sealant paste also a good option. Key is not to overtighten. Would not recommend putting plug in dry, tape or paste is way to go.

 

Not sure what year your truck is but 2014 and up is a different transfer case and torque should only be 18ft/lbs. Even at 18 you will feel like your going to break something but please don't go to 26ft/lbs. I'll include the Techdoc from Toyota. Just for reference it says to always replace the two plugs with new but have no idea why. I ordered a couple out of curiosity and they come with a pretty thin almost clear thread compound on them.