Rear axle oil plugs

[Wana]

Does anyone know where to get a wrench, key, etc. to remove the rear axle oil filler plug and drain plug? Are these two different sizes? Thanks!

 

[GregW]

Hi Wana,
I could be on crack, but I seem to remember a ½” socket extension fitting in the drain plug. I know I didn’t buy any special tool.

 

[Dave Russell]

The plugs on mine require a 7/16" square wrench. It is easy to grind the sides of a 1/2" socket extension down to 7/16". I used a 3/8" drive to 1/2" adapter. A short piece of 7/16" key stock from a hardware store could be turned with a wrench. I believe this was original issue in the tool kits.
D

 

[Skip & Lynne]

All I used was a 1/2 ratchet extension, not an exact fit but it WORKED.

 

[Wana]

Thanks! I'll try a 1/2" ratchet and see how it goes.

 

[tahoe healey]

British Car Specialist sells a short bar that fits exact and you just attach a wrench to it. Cheap, but the shiping will probably kill you. There are some on Ebay with a handle attached.

 

[Keoke]

[ QUOTE ]
British Car Specialist sells a short bar that fits exact and you just attach a wrench to it. Cheap, but the shiping will probably kill you. There are some on Ebay with a handle attached.

[/ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif TH:

I didn't see none on Ebay /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonod.gif but i've been doing it for years with a plain ole 3/8" rachet.--Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tahoe healey]

There is usually one showing up on Ebay each week.

 

[GregW]

Last week I went to my local hardware store and bought a foot of 7/16” square bar. Cut a 2” piece and fit it in a 7/16” 8 point socket.

 

[Velox]

Hi Wana, I had some old pieces from a tap and die kit. One of the larger taps with bad threads had a square end for a wrench attachment that *exactly* fit my drain plugs, I assume it must have been 7/16", you are welcome to borrow it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
Don't forget to make sure the axle vent is not plugged /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif

 

[Wana]

Thanks for the nice offer, Velox. I'm using a special Iowa 3/8" drive ratchet like Keoke and it works just fine. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif

 

[John Morralee]

overdrive

I have a question:what happens to an overdrive when you put the car(mine is a '63BJ7) in reverse with the o/drive engaged? I understand the interlock which protects the o/drive if the driver makes an inadvertent change down but have been told fearful tales of bits dropping off if the o/drive is reversed. I have reversed mine a few times though forgetting it was engaged. No bits fallen so far; am I just lucky? My o/drive does not disengage when the car stops so how is it protected from reversing damage?

 

[Velox]

Re: overdrive

John my understanding is the 3-4th gear switch relay only allows the OD energized in those gears,if the gearshift is moved to the 1-2 shift gate (or reverse gate) the switch is OFF and the OD can not engage. The concern is if the switch FAILS in the ON position, then the OD would remain engaged/energized irregardles of gear shift position, and if put in reverse, bits and pieces would fall everywhere, very expensive! That is how it was explained to me, I'm sure others will add in here. One guy was so concerned he kept forgetting to switch off the OD he put a red light on his dash to be lit whenever the OD was on so if he forget and started the car up the light would go on warning him not to use reverse. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[Dave Russell]

Re: overdrive

You are correct. The 3-4 switch is pretty reliable though. You won't hurt anything by putting the car in reverse even if the OD were engaged. It's just when you engage the clutch to back up the car will refuse to move. If you force things, THEN is when the broken parts happen. If the car ever feels like it doesn't want to back up, don't force it.
D

 

[John Morralee]

Re: overdrive

Thank you Velox and Dave my point, which I agree was not made too clearly was : in the reverse gate the o/d does not appear to disengage when you stop because it is engaged when the car is driven off forward in the nomal fashion (or does it dis.and then rengage?).I am glad you found this question bcause I could not find a haome for it!!

 

[Dave Russell]

Re: overdrive

If the OD relay circuit somehow has the OD engaged all of the time, it should still disengage when the 3-4 switch opens such as in reverse or gears 1 & 2. Then engage again in third or fourth. I repeat, if the car backs up easily, no apparent bind, don't force it, the OD is not engaged in reverse. If it does not back up easily, there is more than one problem. Remove the wire at the OD solenoid & see what happens.

In rare cases, the OD clutch ring inside can mechanically stick. If this happens, tapping on the OD housing can sometimes free it.

If you have the transmission cover off, it should be fairly easy to see what is happening. It's not "that" hard to remove.
D