Does transfer case drain plug bottom out?
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 164
Likes: 15
From: Boerne, TX
Does transfer case drain plug bottom out?
Hi guys
I tried asking this on another "technical" site, and got no responses. Maybe someone here knows...
Did a fluid change of the transfer case of my 2006 CTTS today. All went well (I thought), but when I put a new drain plug in and tried to torque to 15 ft./lb.; I never got there. The plug kept going in, went a few threads beyond flush. I was using a digital torque wrench, so I could see it got up to 11 or 12 ft./lbs., but never torqued up. The fill plug torqued up to 15 just fine.
I was worrying that the plug wouldn't bottom out and I'd end up with the plug inside the case, so I stopped. Never felt anything break, or major resistance, just didn't tighten up like it was hitting something. This is a rebuilt transfer case, if it matters. 222K miles on the Cayenne. I have the old transfer case in my garage and I can see that the plug in that is standing proud a few threads.
Is this normal? Any opinions on what to do?
I ended up marking it with paint, and checked it after 100 miles of driving - no leaks, and it didn't move. Am I good to go?
I tried asking this on another "technical" site, and got no responses. Maybe someone here knows...
Did a fluid change of the transfer case of my 2006 CTTS today. All went well (I thought), but when I put a new drain plug in and tried to torque to 15 ft./lb.; I never got there. The plug kept going in, went a few threads beyond flush. I was using a digital torque wrench, so I could see it got up to 11 or 12 ft./lbs., but never torqued up. The fill plug torqued up to 15 just fine.
I was worrying that the plug wouldn't bottom out and I'd end up with the plug inside the case, so I stopped. Never felt anything break, or major resistance, just didn't tighten up like it was hitting something. This is a rebuilt transfer case, if it matters. 222K miles on the Cayenne. I have the old transfer case in my garage and I can see that the plug in that is standing proud a few threads.
Is this normal? Any opinions on what to do?
I ended up marking it with paint, and checked it after 100 miles of driving - no leaks, and it didn't move. Am I good to go?
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 245
From: Central New Jersey
Maybe the discrepancy in torque is due to reusing the plug and the loctite coating was already used?
This is an example of how torque wrenches can go wrong. Glad you stopped when your gut kicked in.
Some say use a sealant on the threads. I'm just going on what google says (and doesn't bottom out). Makes sense.
This is an example of how torque wrenches can go wrong. Glad you stopped when your gut kicked in.
Some say use a sealant on the threads. I'm just going on what google says (and doesn't bottom out). Makes sense.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,682
Likes: 546
From: I should be in TNT for Carnival!
Maybe the discrepancy in torque is due to reusing the plug and the loctite coating was already used?
This is an example of how torque wrenches can go wrong. Glad you stopped when your gut kicked in.
Some say use a sealant on the threads. I'm just going on what google says (and doesn't bottom out). Makes sense.
This is an example of how torque wrenches can go wrong. Glad you stopped when your gut kicked in.
Some say use a sealant on the threads. I'm just going on what google says (and doesn't bottom out). Makes sense.
some use plummers tape or blue locktite, tighten snug and mark with paint and monitor for leaks.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 100
From: Roy, WA
Shouldn't need to go past flush. Hopefully yours means it has been serviced mutltiple times as most don't get serviced often enough. Only holds about 1qt of fluid and it takes a beating for all of the work it does. As mentioned, just use some Teflon tape and call it good.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 164
Likes: 15
From: Boerne, TX
Thanks all
I used new plugs which came with thread sealant. Now that I think about it, when I removed the plugs, the fill plug had to 'crack loose', but the drain plug just backed out without an initial crack.
I was just expecting it to reach bottom and snug up like the other plugs. Maybe mine had some work done previously.
Next time I have it open, I'll look in the hole to see if there is anything that should stop the plug. Hopefully that's not too soon!
I used new plugs which came with thread sealant. Now that I think about it, when I removed the plugs, the fill plug had to 'crack loose', but the drain plug just backed out without an initial crack.
I was just expecting it to reach bottom and snug up like the other plugs. Maybe mine had some work done previously.
Next time I have it open, I'll look in the hole to see if there is anything that should stop the plug. Hopefully that's not too soon!
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 105
Likes: 37
From: TX
You'll be fine. I just did this job on my '09 CTTS and after seeing reports of folks cracking their TC housing from over-torquing their drain plug, I too went with my gut and stopped tightening where I felt comfortable.
