2021 Transfer case plug torque ?

So I changed the oil in the transfer case. The two tapered 3/8 plugs I bought new and they had the white sealant on them.

Toyota calls for 18 ft/lbs on these but I only went to 12 ft lbs with my snap on digital torque wrench.

I felt like 12 was even too much. I turned them slow with the torque wrench.

Does that sound about right? I think 8-10 ft lbs would have been sufficient.

I was just concerned the steel plug if over tightened could damage the aluminum transfer case.

 

I torqued 18 lbs recently because that’s what Toyota says. It felt just right.

 

I think you need to put away the torque wrench when it comes to drain and fill plugs. Any drain plugs, oil, diff, trans, ect, put it in and then snug it, and check for leaks. Just think about a the fill plugs, what in the world are you going to need a torque wrench on a fill plug for? It's not even at risk of leaking.

 

I was trying to follow torque spec. Is Toyota wrong on these at 18 ft lbs? I hear what you’re saying about snug on these and not using a torque wrench. Next time I won’t use one. I already put them in and was concerned even 12 ft lb is too much for these.

 

Blauparts put out a video on it.

Skip to 3:44. Dude says he does them to 15 ft lbs.

 

I put mine to 18 the first time and definitely thought it was too much. Visions of cracked aluminum. Backed it out and went snug plus with fresh tape.

 

I advocate for correct torque spec 99% of the time. These transfer case plugs are one of the few times I preferred to go by feel. Just clean up the plug threads and put on some white permatex pr teflon tape and tighten slowly by hand until it's nice and snug.

It has been a few weeks since changing the fluid and I haven't seen any leaks doing it this way.

 

Does it call for teflon tape?

 

With my calibrated hand (can judge by weight if it's a 12 or 14.9 oz can) I tighten those with the torque most definitely somewhere in between of those of a battery retain bracket nut and a cylinder head bolt. Never leaks, never a problem to remove in 30k miles.

 

No

 

Didn’t think so. Probably affects the ability to measure applied torque

 

There was white sealant on the plug that I did clean off with a wire wheel. I used permatex white and reapplied before re-torquing the plugs.

 

I scrubbed off the dried factory sealant with a wire brush and applied permatex high temp sealant. Torqued to 18 lbs.

 

I've used German spec on fill and drain bolts forever and never had an issue. Suspension components or lugs is a different story however.

 

What’s the German spec?

 

Good and tight. Lol

 

lol

I can’t believe I forgot that.

 

Toyota is gonna be accurate lol

the real question is how did you fork up the coin for a snappy digital torque wrench and you’re questioning factory torque spec

All jokes

 

Gut und tight.

 

auch frauleins .... ist gut