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Differential Drain plug

GLRnTX

GLRnTX

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Helotes, TX
Anyone have any good ideas on how to remove a stubborn diff. drain plug? Over 60+ years of service, the square nut has seen better days. It's rounded off pretty good and I cannot get a good grab on it. I thought of grinding a slot in it, but I don't know if I will end up cutting a hole in it.

I am going to remove the cover to replace the gasket, so maybe I deal with it off the truck??:confused:


Greg
 
If you're going the remove the cover anyway, remove it first, then use a good penetrating oil on both sides of the plug, and then horse it off. The problem with drilling through it or grinding it with the cover on, is that you might inadvertently get metal shavings in the pumpkin that will give you problems down the road (literally). Always keep the innerds clean!;)
 
If you have a welder or access to one you could plug weld a 5/8" nut to the plug then use a socket to back out the plug. The heat will also draw the oil inside the rear end in to the threads and make it easier to back out the plug.
 
Great advice

This advice is great.

I had to deal with the same operation and succeded very easely.

Martinius.

bigtimjamestown said:
If you have a welder or access to one you could plug weld a 5/8" nut to the plug then use a socket to back out the plug. The heat will also draw the oil inside the rear end in to the threads and make it easier to back out the plug.
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GLRnTX said:
Anyone have any good ideas on how to remove a stubborn diff. drain plug? Over 60+ years of service, the square nut has seen better days. It's rounded off pretty good and I cannot get a good grab on it. I thought of grinding a slot in it, but I don't know if I will end up cutting a hole in it.

I am going to remove the cover to replace the gasket, so maybe I deal with it off the truck??:confused:


Greg
Click to expand...
If you can get it out don't worry about its condition or try to re-use it. Our host sells them for a replacement for a couple bucks each.

Flashlight
 
How I wrangled my drain plug

My drain plug must have been in about the same shape as yours. I took out my plumbing wrenches and put some torque on he plug by clenching down on the big washer like edge and using a sligt bit of propane torch heat to warm things a bit.

It broke fairly easily, then spun right out. I cleaned it up on my bench wheel and still use it.

May have not been the mechanic's choice, but it worked for me im my back yard.

Jim:cool:
 

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Whi didn't I think of that...?

Thanks Jim,

A pipe wrench! That's something I can sink my teeth into. It's got a built-in breaker bar. I'll give it a try asap.



Greg
 
Right again Nate

Patrick calls his 355:1 ring and pinion set-up "the left lane special". You are closer to correct the way most folks drive these days.

Jim:rolleyes:
 

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It's Cool !

I like it anyways , I always like the little detail things like the ' passing side ' & ' suicide ' on the back of my '49 , replete with a skull on the ' suicide ' side :p
 
Just So !

And you'll notice those Blue dots are Cobalt Blue glass ones in original Guide lenses...... :p

yes , it's a serious P.O.C. but I like it just fine ! :)

Where didja find that old picture ? .
 
Same place I found this one!

vwnate1 said:
And you'll notice those Blue dots are Cobalt Blue glass ones in original Guide lenses...... :p

yes , it's a serious P.O.C. but I like it just fine ! :)

Where didja find that old picture ? .
Click to expand...

hall_nathan_1949_02.jpg

You posted them on the Stovebolt site back in '03!;)
 
The White Knight

Not much to see , a basic 1949 3100 that's been in continuous Commercial Service for 67 years now....

A 1957 235 and a 35 Amp. Delcotron alternator , otherwise bone stock and has the dents , rust and scars to prove it :D

Nothing special about it .

Huck brakes :(

(rhymes with ' suck ' ya know)
 
I've been hijacked!

Since my thread was hijacked, I just thought I would let everyone know the pipe wrench worked great.

Not that anyone remembers what the original thread was about....:cool:



Greg
 
I know ! I know !!

(hand in the air , jumping like a 5 year old doing the peepee dance)

It was something about an old beat up truck , right ? :rolleyes: :p

:)
 
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