Tow Eye Plug
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,708
Likes: 77
From: Indianapolis Area
Dill out plug, it's made out of soft metal and isn't that hard, but the snapped hex bit might put up a fight.
I borrowed the "loaner tap" but didn't need it. Once the center of the plug was drilled, I managed to remove the rest of the plug with out damaging the steel threads.
If you need the tap, it's nice knowing one exists in the 'loaner pool'.
+1 on never seeing a plug removed intact.
I borrowed the "loaner tap" but didn't need it. Once the center of the plug was drilled, I managed to remove the rest of the plug with out damaging the steel threads.
If you need the tap, it's nice knowing one exists in the 'loaner pool'.
+1 on never seeing a plug removed intact.
Chronic Tool Dropper
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 20,506
Likes: 564
From: Bend, Oregon
It appears that the rear of the threaded steel boss is open, if so it opens the option of adding PB Blaster or acetone/ATF from the space immediately behind the grill. Via a tube of some sort.
I broke off the Allen driver, and ended up drilling around it with a 1/8" bit, lots of holes, until I could grab the broken end of the bit. Then a few drills later, and the tap, the threads were cleaned and good to use. Most of the old metal was picked out of the boss before I tried the tap, by the way. There was a good hour of work on that darn thing.
Our late Honda Pilot has a similar 'tow hook', with a front receiver that's 'protected' by a plastic mushroom-shaped cap/plug, and a warning never to use it to tie the car down on a flatbed. I guess it's good for straight-forward tension but nothing off-axis. Guessing the 928 has the same limitations, should you ever wonder.
I broke off the Allen driver, and ended up drilling around it with a 1/8" bit, lots of holes, until I could grab the broken end of the bit. Then a few drills later, and the tap, the threads were cleaned and good to use. Most of the old metal was picked out of the boss before I tried the tap, by the way. There was a good hour of work on that darn thing.
Our late Honda Pilot has a similar 'tow hook', with a front receiver that's 'protected' by a plastic mushroom-shaped cap/plug, and a warning never to use it to tie the car down on a flatbed. I guess it's good for straight-forward tension but nothing off-axis. Guessing the 928 has the same limitations, should you ever wonder.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,283
Likes: 52
From: Australia
The 928 towing eye is DEFINITELY not for off-axis loads!! My importing customs agent found this out for me after they flattened the battery for me. Why they couldnt make it out of mild steel I do not know.
jp 83 Euro S AT 55k
jp 83 Euro S AT 55k
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,283
Likes: 52
From: Australia
I think its some sort of brittle cast rubbish, from the way mine was fractured. Mine was the thinner (15mm vs 20mm, 9/16" vs 0.8") version than S4 and later, but it still should do better than it did.
jp 83 Euro S AT 55k
jp 83 Euro S AT 55k
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 11
14 years ago my fuel pump failed and it required the car to be flat towed. When trying to winch it onto the flat bed the towing eye plug could not be removed.
After replacing my fuel pump I drilled out the towing eye plug, cleaned up the threads, urned up a brass plug and installed same.
As mentioned in dr bib's post #17 the tapped hole is opened at the rear. This allows ingress of debris and water into the space. To stop this happening, I inserted an interference plastic plug into the tow eye and positioned it at the rear to stop any ingress of foreign matter. I then coated the thread with anti-seize compound and fitted my brass plug.
I check it every so often and have no problems removing it, just in case it is ever needed.
After replacing my fuel pump I drilled out the towing eye plug, cleaned up the threads, urned up a brass plug and installed same.
As mentioned in dr bib's post #17 the tapped hole is opened at the rear. This allows ingress of debris and water into the space. To stop this happening, I inserted an interference plastic plug into the tow eye and positioned it at the rear to stop any ingress of foreign matter. I then coated the thread with anti-seize compound and fitted my brass plug.
I check it every so often and have no problems removing it, just in case it is ever needed.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 460
Likes: 12
From: Venlo, Netherlands
exactly! That is what is causing the problems in the first place. I too noticed that water was coming also from the rear and just closing off the front is not the solution. A puddle of water will increase corrosion. I keep the hole open but soaked in 'Mike Sanders anti corrosion wax". Works super.
regards
Theo Jenniskens
1992, 928GTS, the Netherlands
regards
Theo Jenniskens
1992, 928GTS, the Netherlands
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 363
From: K-town, Germany
I tried some DP action. 
I bought two of the rubber plugs from Roger. First I put a wad of anti-seize on the threads in the hole and then cut off the round part of one of rubber plugs and with a punch and hammer, drove it almost all the way through the hole (to seal up the rear). Then used the other plug for the front like normal. No way water's getting in.
I bought two of the rubber plugs from Roger. First I put a wad of anti-seize on the threads in the hole and then cut off the round part of one of rubber plugs and with a punch and hammer, drove it almost all the way through the hole (to seal up the rear). Then used the other plug for the front like normal. No way water's getting in.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,158
From: Philly PA
I drilled a hole though the one on my white car filled it with PB and forgot about
10 months later the car was sitting on the lift and i figured well lets see if this thing will come out
first I used the ratchet and 6 MM allen no budging
then i figured how about the air gun we have a lower force 1/2 in air gun so i plugged the adapter on and started back and forth,
a coupla tatas from the gun each way and after about 20 of these back and forth attempts the head looked like it moved.
I sprayed more PB into the hole and kept going,
a few more then the head was really moving ever so slightly,
finally it came spinning out,
it looked like it had been coated in antiseize.
I rinsed out the hole and used a gun brush on the threads ,
and wire brushed the plug,
put some grease on it and screwed it back in.
10 months later the car was sitting on the lift and i figured well lets see if this thing will come out
first I used the ratchet and 6 MM allen no budging
then i figured how about the air gun we have a lower force 1/2 in air gun so i plugged the adapter on and started back and forth,
a coupla tatas from the gun each way and after about 20 of these back and forth attempts the head looked like it moved.
I sprayed more PB into the hole and kept going,
a few more then the head was really moving ever so slightly,
finally it came spinning out,
it looked like it had been coated in antiseize.
I rinsed out the hole and used a gun brush on the threads ,
and wire brushed the plug,
put some grease on it and screwed it back in.
