Changing diff oil

I’m thinking about changing my diff plugs and oil as part of a larger home service. I have new plugs bought from Martin on BigJimny (about a year ago).

Is there any technique to getting the plugs out? It seemed like they were stuck solid when I last tried. Any recommendation on how to best loosen them up?

I take it you have the 10mm square socket ?
Filler plug can be removed with good set of mole grips or stilsons wrench
You could use heat but you may have a nylon washer on it
Drain plug use heat or weld a nut to it

I use a 500mm long ratchet

I believe so.. I have a little set of assorted ‘diff keys’ and one of them seemed to fit OK.

I will get some mole grips but I do have a welder (assuming that is the last resort!). I’ll see how I get on.

I don't recall the job requiring any special tools.
Remove the filler plug first, then the drain plug. Simply if you remove the drain first and can't get the filler out you are stuck.
I used a little heat on the diff housing, just got it warm, they then came out easily.
Can't recall a nylon washer, but I use blue hylomar as a thread sealant on these jobs, always works for me.
Mike

Yes welding a nut on is last resort
Nylon washer some do some don't,my rear has one but front doesn't
Like Scimike say's small amount of sealant i use an rtv type

And the 'proper' filler plug is not a factory one but rather something like the one on the right.

No more welding a nut for me.

Reason2doubt wrote: I believe so.. I have a little set of assorted ‘diff keys’ and one of them seemed to fit OK.

I will get some mole grips but I do have a welder (assuming that is the last resort!). I’ll see how I get on.

Just to say that a 3/8ths drain key will seem like it's a good fit but it's actually 9.5mm instead of 10mm, probably wont make a difference but if they're effing tight it might. I've never seen a 10mm in a set, I've had to buy them separately.