Diff Drain Plug

[ScottTR6]

Hi, I've got a 1960 Sprite, and decided it was time to drain & change the Diff fluid myself, always paid before. What tool do you use to remove the drain plug? It appears to be between 3/8 & 1/2 inch, square hole? Didn't want to strip the inside with my 3/8 drive, very loose fit. Thanks, Andrew

 

[JPSmit]

It is exactly that - I have managed to get mine with my 3/8 drive socket (so far) most of everyone grinds down a 1/2 inch breaker bar or old socket drive to make it fit.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Just do an old 1/2" extension.
That way you don't have to deal with killing a breaker bar or ratDoody nor deal with the button release on some.
Paint said extension white or red so it is easily identifiable in your toolbox, and you don't try to use it for regular sockets.
Dave

 

[tomshobby]

With my Matco half inch set I got a short extension with a wobble end that fits the plug perfectly.

 

[ScottTR6]

Thanks all, I've got an older 1/2" extension just ready to be sacrificed!!

 

[Pythias]

I had a piece of 7/16" square stock welded into a 1/2" (I think) 12 point socket, then used a grinder to bull nose the end. .. perfect fit. NO tool maker (Snap-on, Mac, Proto, etc, etc, etc makes the right tool anymore. You have to do it yourself.

 

[spritenut]

3/8 ratchet wrench always works for me, it's a little loose but works without making a special tool.

 

[FredApplerot]

I've been thinking of ordering one of these:

eBay drain plug wrench

I'm pretty sure the diff. drain plug hole on our cars is tapered which, in my case at least, might be a challenge to grind accuractly.

 

[jlaird]

Miss Agatha says a 3/8 rachet and estension fits just right. LOL

 

[Hap Waldrop]

It's a NPT pipe plug, so yo u can always get one at the hardware/fastner store with allen head in it, thats what I do on the race cars. For the stock ones, I ground down a 1/2" cheap extension.

 

[ralph_s]

Lesson learned last fall. Drained the BE differential, then spent 2 hours getting the fill plug out. Now I do the fill plug first, THEN drain the fluid...I ground down an old bolt to fit the drain plug and put a socket to it.