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gear box fill plug

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dth

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trying to fill my gearbox oil still, can't get the plug loose, it is just stripping, any way to fill it from somwhere else ? Suggestions to get the plug loose ? Metric wrenches fit but she isn't budging, help please
 
Have you tried an 8-point socket? That works the best for me. Sometimes it helps to pry between it and the body while you are turning it, to help keep the socket on the plug.

If that won't cut it, vice grips are about the only other option.

If you do get the plug out, I suggest replacing it with a hex socket plug. Much more resistant to stripping, IMO.

DSCF0013_reduced.jpg
 
There is also the option of heating the plug to loosen it...although you need access to a torch. The aluminum expands at a faster rate than the steel plug, so it will lossen considerably with heat.

I second the vice grips once the corners are rounded. If it is to buggared to get the grips to hold, you can file (or grind) two parallel flats back into the plug to get a grip on it. Past that, you will have to drill the center and use a broken bolt remover...although that, of course, takes more elbow room.

Been where you are many a time, so I feel your pain. Most folks really crank on tapered plugs for some odd reason. I only tighen them with about half the torque I want to use to take them out later. It's a lot easier to go back later and add a little turn to a seaping pipe plug than to have to go through what you (and the rest of us) have to go through if they are too tight!!

Best of luck...

John
 
Forgot to mention, a little dab of PTFE paste will make it easier to get out next time (and help it to seal with less torque). Any hardware store, in the plumbing section.

31233.jpg


Also, in case it is not obvious, those plugs are standard NPT pipe plugs.
 
If you do preventative maintainence like that, The hint about putting the PTFE on the NPT qualifies you to be know as a VIP. Shouldn't we keep this on the QT from the people at VB, or we could all be placed on KP?
 
jsfbond said:
If you do preventative maintainence like that, The hint about putting the PTFE on the NPT qualifies you to be know as a VIP. Shouldn't we keep this on the QT from the people at VB, or we could all be placed on KP?
Click to expand...

WT....H? :devilgrin:
 
When I went to check my transmission oil level recently the filler plug, which had previously always come out fairly easily, was stuck like so many others, and would not budge. 7/16 wrench, nothing. 1/2" 12 point socket, nothing. Joe Alexander's Brake/Oil Plug wrench, nothing. So I gave my buddy Shawn a call to see if he happened to have a long 7/16 wrench that I could get more leverage with. No go, but I told him of my efforts so far and he said "Well why don't we make a tool?" Now you've got to understand that Shawn's mind goes a million miles an hour in situations like this, so after cutting off the oil plug end of the wrench, and a spare socket, and a bit of MIG, here's what he came up with. Works like a charm! He wasn't too happy with the quality of welding but he wanted to get lots on there so it wouldn't break.

Socket.jpg
 
Of course it would be much clearer if I called it "polytetrafluoroethylene paste"; everyone knows that that is.

And how to pronounce it ...
 
TR3driver said:
If you do get the plug out, I suggest replacing it with a hex socket plug. Much more resistant to stripping, IMO.

DSCF0013_reduced.jpg
Click to expand...

Perhaps, "more resistant," but not "immune." I'm dealing with that right now. A simple oil change has morphed into: remove the oil pan, drill that sucker out, replace it and re-install the oil pan. When one strips the head of the square-head plug, one has more options remaining to still get it out than one has when the socket-head plug won't hold the wrench anymore.
 
YYCDave said:
Socket.jpg
Click to expand...


Shee...

When I first looked at the pic I thought that was a chunk of tranny case that came out with the plug!!

Not a pretty tool (by any standard), but looks like it will work great!

John
 
Moseso said:
When one strips the head of the square-head plug, one has more options remaining to still get it out than one has when the socket-head plug won't hold the wrench anymore.
Click to expand...

Worse yet, the hex socket plugs are (or should be at least) harder steel than the old cheese they use for the square head ones. But I've never had a socket head plug strip out and either way, you're probably stuck removing the cover.
 
These might get you out of a bind. They have me. Got mine at Sears.
griptitesockets.jpg
 
Vise grips so tight you can barely close them or a Stilson wrench if you can get it in. Feel free to begin the rotation with a hammmer on the bottom of the tool.
Bob
 
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