Diff fill/drain plugs
05-07-2002, 10:57 AM
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Diff fill/drain plugs
Morning all. Had a bit of trouble last night trying to remove the fill/drain plugs for the differential on my 85 auto.
I cleaned everything first. I also took the advice from many previous posts to get the fill plug out first! I had looked for a 17mm hex on a socket, but only found a huge 17mm allen wrench. Doesn't work as well as I would have hoped, kinda shifts around a bit.
Anyway, plugs too tight, allen wrench not working, perhaps just not enough leverage. Could anyone share a good idea on how they got the plugs out? I haven't tried a cheater bar yet, but plan to. Or would the 17mm on a 1/2 socket be a better idea?
Thanks for any advice.
I cleaned everything first. I also took the advice from many previous posts to get the fill plug out first! I had looked for a 17mm hex on a socket, but only found a huge 17mm allen wrench. Doesn't work as well as I would have hoped, kinda shifts around a bit.
Anyway, plugs too tight, allen wrench not working, perhaps just not enough leverage. Could anyone share a good idea on how they got the plugs out? I haven't tried a cheater bar yet, but plan to. Or would the 17mm on a 1/2 socket be a better idea?
Thanks for any advice.
05-07-2002, 11:05 AM
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I'd be very carful about applying more torque when there is any slop in the hex fit. It might do the job, or it might just strip the bolt. Sounds like somebody might have gone at it before with an ill-fitting socket.
That said, it's likely that the jumbo allen wrench isn't going to apply enough kick to get the bolt loose. A breaker bar (1/2", 2') + socket did mine.
The first time I did this - coincidentally, the first time it was ever done to the car
- there was no way that the fill plug was coming out under-car, so I pulled the entire differential cover, removed the bolt on the bench, cleaned it up well and no problems since. Not a fun job, but better than the alternatives.
Doesn't gear oil smell nice?
That said, it's likely that the jumbo allen wrench isn't going to apply enough kick to get the bolt loose. A breaker bar (1/2", 2') + socket did mine.
The first time I did this - coincidentally, the first time it was ever done to the car
- there was no way that the fill plug was coming out under-car, so I pulled the entire differential cover, removed the bolt on the bench, cleaned it up well and no problems since. Not a fun job, but better than the alternatives.Doesn't gear oil smell nice?
05-07-2002, 08:18 PM
#4
Don't ask ...
Mine was a bear, too.
Business end of Hex was well and truly hosed, particularly, on two faces. I ended up pounding some small diameter piano hinge ROD more or less flat. And with the skill of a caveman and the patience of a hungry misquito I tap, tap, tap'd the little shims alongside the loose allen wrench.
Heated up a 10 inch trailer pivot bolt and bent it to an angle I could use. Drilled the end to accept the allen wrench. There is a God! It worked. No loss of blood either. You can't use baling wire, it's to soft, you can't drive it alongside the allen wrench it'll bend. Even if you could the torque from your bulging wrist, forearm, back, and neck would simply squish it flat and you are back to a loose wrench. Don't ask how I know that either.
Good luck! HTH
John S. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
Mine was a bear, too.
Business end of Hex was well and truly hosed, particularly, on two faces. I ended up pounding some small diameter piano hinge ROD more or less flat. And with the skill of a caveman and the patience of a hungry misquito I tap, tap, tap'd the little shims alongside the loose allen wrench.
Heated up a 10 inch trailer pivot bolt and bent it to an angle I could use. Drilled the end to accept the allen wrench. There is a God! It worked. No loss of blood either. You can't use baling wire, it's to soft, you can't drive it alongside the allen wrench it'll bend. Even if you could the torque from your bulging wrist, forearm, back, and neck would simply squish it flat and you are back to a loose wrench. Don't ask how I know that either.
Good luck! HTH
John S. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
05-08-2002, 03:15 AM
#7
Snow,
Sure.
You have a multitude of choices, practically free.
Of course they are still ladened with cargo and are a little waterlogged. You can inspect the majority of them including a nice little 'V' tail - dragger just about any where in the Gulf of Mexico. The remainder are in the relatively shallow waters between Cuba and Key West.
Other sources of cheap, allegedly working, acft:
My wife's Uncle Dean used to mule pack, small acft remains out of the Franlin Mts., north of El Paso. My take on rebuilding burnt or crashed aero-planes -for sales purposes - was that the FAA would giggle with you all the way to the nearest Federal Penitentary. He did it though, has a wall full of airplane pictures in various stages of rebuild.
Now if it's a P-40 Warhack your interested in...
There is a state or national forest area in the Ka-huku Mt. range a couple of miles inland from the Polyenisian Cultural Center.
It hit and flipped over on a TINY plateau on a ridge line. Had to be going real slow. Last time I saw her She was inverted, wheels down,and locked, still aired up. Machine gun's still in wings but wing & fuselage skins pretty well gone. A great fixer upper!
There is an A-3 and a F-4 up on the foggy verticals in the mts. inland of Kaneoe - last three on Oahu. If you pack in to any of these sites take bullet launcher and a lot of bullets. The P-40 site infested with maniacal ferrel pigs.
All sites infested with Moke's- evil locals. Thar's dope in them thar hills, and it could cost you your life. We always carried an acft emergency radio's and at least one ELT. Very fast rescue response times on that Island. Don't ask.
later John S <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
Sure.
You have a multitude of choices, practically free.
Of course they are still ladened with cargo and are a little waterlogged. You can inspect the majority of them including a nice little 'V' tail - dragger just about any where in the Gulf of Mexico. The remainder are in the relatively shallow waters between Cuba and Key West.
Other sources of cheap, allegedly working, acft:
My wife's Uncle Dean used to mule pack, small acft remains out of the Franlin Mts., north of El Paso. My take on rebuilding burnt or crashed aero-planes -for sales purposes - was that the FAA would giggle with you all the way to the nearest Federal Penitentary. He did it though, has a wall full of airplane pictures in various stages of rebuild.
Now if it's a P-40 Warhack your interested in...
There is a state or national forest area in the Ka-huku Mt. range a couple of miles inland from the Polyenisian Cultural Center.
It hit and flipped over on a TINY plateau on a ridge line. Had to be going real slow. Last time I saw her She was inverted, wheels down,and locked, still aired up. Machine gun's still in wings but wing & fuselage skins pretty well gone. A great fixer upper!
There is an A-3 and a F-4 up on the foggy verticals in the mts. inland of Kaneoe - last three on Oahu. If you pack in to any of these sites take bullet launcher and a lot of bullets. The P-40 site infested with maniacal ferrel pigs.
All sites infested with Moke's- evil locals. Thar's dope in them thar hills, and it could cost you your life. We always carried an acft emergency radio's and at least one ELT. Very fast rescue response times on that Island. Don't ask.
later John S <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
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05-08-2002, 03:42 PM
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Back to your question: Several hours of strain, struggle and minor improvisation got mine out using the allen wrench (10mm as mine is an 86.5).
Things that might help - (1) use Liquid Wrench rather than WD-40 - there really is a difference, and (2) find a length of pipe that will slip over the end of the allen wrench to get more leverage (I used the handle from an old bottle jack).
If you can find the socket, I think you'll be able to get cleaner leverage on it with a nice cheater bar.
Good luck,
Things that might help - (1) use Liquid Wrench rather than WD-40 - there really is a difference, and (2) find a length of pipe that will slip over the end of the allen wrench to get more leverage (I used the handle from an old bottle jack).
If you can find the socket, I think you'll be able to get cleaner leverage on it with a nice cheater bar.
Good luck,
05-08-2002, 10:35 PM
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Just did mine last weekend 
Here's how
I also could not find the socket and had the 17 mm hex (that's one heck of a wrench). Problem is if you apply too much torque you strip the nut because you're not applying the torque squarely (there is a tendency to pull in or out)
SO LOTS of WD40 (this will clean the socket hole and allow the hex to insert square)
Place a 17 mm box end wrench on the hex and insert hex into hole. Now you can slide the box end up snug to the Dif cover and use a cheater bar on the 17 mm wrench with more comfort that the hex plug will be turning squarely.
Worth a try...it worked for me
Let me know if my explanation is not clear enough
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
Here's how
I also could not find the socket and had the 17 mm hex (that's one heck of a wrench). Problem is if you apply too much torque you strip the nut because you're not applying the torque squarely (there is a tendency to pull in or out)
SO LOTS of WD40 (this will clean the socket hole and allow the hex to insert square)
Place a 17 mm box end wrench on the hex and insert hex into hole. Now you can slide the box end up snug to the Dif cover and use a cheater bar on the 17 mm wrench with more comfort that the hex plug will be turning squarely.
Worth a try...it worked for me
Let me know if my explanation is not clear enough
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
05-09-2002, 01:49 AM
#10
Three Wheelin'
I use this penetrating oil called "PB Blast" or something like that. Stuff is amazing. It really does penetrate into threads. The latest use was to remove a really stuck O2 sensor. I would choose it over WD-40 on most stubborn nutz and boltz. Just give it some time to work.
Greg
Greg
05-09-2002, 10:58 AM
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Thanks for the suggestions, guys! Still looking for the socket. Been to Sears Hardware, AutoZone, O'Reily, Pep Boys, Harbor Freight, and even Home Depot and Lowe's. No luck.
Figgen...good idea to use the box wrench to hold the allen a little straighter. If I can't find the socket in the next couple of days, I'll be trying your idea.
Greg, I've heard of the PB stuff...where did you find it? Would the local auto shops be the most likely place to have it?
Figgen...good idea to use the box wrench to hold the allen a little straighter. If I can't find the socket in the next couple of days, I'll be trying your idea.
Greg, I've heard of the PB stuff...where did you find it? Would the local auto shops be the most likely place to have it?
05-09-2002, 01:30 PM
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I found that hex socket at my local Tool Depot - around $20.
It is also fairly common to find it at any parts place that caters to VW's - the differential drain plug on our cars being the same configuration found on most older VW's.
Greg - what is the name of that stuff, and where can I get some? Sounds like something I need to keep on hand.
It is also fairly common to find it at any parts place that caters to VW's - the differential drain plug on our cars being the same configuration found on most older VW's.
Greg - what is the name of that stuff, and where can I get some? Sounds like something I need to keep on hand.
05-09-2002, 03:49 PM
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It's actually PB B'laster (apostrophe intentional). I can find it at any local auto store, but online it's at...
<a href="http://www.pbblaster.com" target="_blank">Home page</a>
<a href="http://www.globemotorists.com/National%20Brands%20&%20Accessories/pb_blaster.htm" target="_blank">Retailer</a>
<a href="http://www.fastenal.com/shoponline/search/Browsing.asp?CatID=532" target="_blank">Fastenall</a>
...and it works very well.
<a href="http://www.pbblaster.com" target="_blank">Home page</a>
<a href="http://www.globemotorists.com/National%20Brands%20&%20Accessories/pb_blaster.htm" target="_blank">Retailer</a>
<a href="http://www.fastenal.com/shoponline/search/Browsing.asp?CatID=532" target="_blank">Fastenall</a>
...and it works very well.