Removing Rounded Hydraulic Drain Plug?

[Scott W]

I got my '48 8N last year. I decided to change the hydraulic fluid last week. I took the back plug out and drained the fluid. I then tried to take the middle drain plug out and ,you guessed it, the threads were rounded! I tried several different things but I couldn't get it to budge, I didn't want to make it worse so I gave up. Any ideas on how I can get this out?

 

[Dunk]

(quoted from post at 22:33:42 06/21/08) I got my '48 8N last year. I decided to change the hydraulic fluid last week. I took the back plug out and drained the fluid. I then tried to take the middle drain plug out and ,you guessed it, the threads were rounded! I tried several different things but I couldn't get it to budge, I didn't want to make it worse so I gave up. Any ideas on how I can get this out?

(I am off my rocker, so bear with me)

There are 3 plugs, the rear most being a 3/4" pipe plug, then 2 others going forward that are like the crankcase oil drain.

IF we are only talking about them dang large plugs....

I have had to take a cold chisel and start a place in the edge, and git them moving that way.

Also pipe wrenches can be yer friend too.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I assume that you mean the middle big drain plug not the little 1/2 inch pipe plug under the differential.

I also assume that you mean that you rounded out the flats -- not the threads -- the threads are what holds the plug to the casting. If those are stripped then the plug falls off by itself


A pipe wrench and a long cheater bar works well.
If the wrench will not stay on the plug then you can put a block under the wrench and use a jack to hold the wrench (and block) onto the plug.

This also works to remove the engine oil drain plug.

Roger in Michigan

 

[Dunk]

(quoted from post at 22:50:04 06/21/08) I assume that you mean the middle big drain plug not the little 1/2 inch pipe plug under the differential.

I also assume that you mean that you rounded out the flats -- not the threads -- the threads are what holds the plug to the casting. If those are stripped then the plug falls off by itself


A pipe wrench and a long cheater bar works well.
If the wrench will not stay on the plug then you can put a block under the wrench and use a jack to hold the wrench (and block) onto the plug.

This also works to remove the engine oil drain plug.

Roger in Michigan

Thanks for taking up my slack, Roger, Over.

I think you did a REALLY good job, of sayin', what I wanted to say...

(I may need to go set on the porch)

 

[Scott W]

Your not off your rocker, it is the middle large plug. 

I will have to try the chisel method, didn't think of that!  Maybe a bigger pipe wrench will help also.Thanks!!

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have had to use a 30" pipe wrench with a 3 foot extension pipe on it to make things move.
Just a matter of who is in charge --you or the universe...

Roger
Over and out

 

[Dell (WA)]

Scott........sometimes it "helps" to use a short hydraulic jack with plate to FORCE the pipe wrench to stay in contact with yer stuck plug while you use "leverage" of longer pipe wrench extension handle.

NEW 2-1/2"-plug p/n: 9N-7010 ($10, cheap) gasket p/n: 9N-7011 ($3, cheap) ya need'em BOTH. Same plug and gasket as tranny drain .......Dell

 

[souNdguy]

You can file new flats for a wrench.. or grind then with an angle grinder.. or weld a big hex nut to it..

the pipe wrench, jack, and cheater pipe almost always work.

In extreme cases I have used a chissle to tap one 'around' and out.

if the middle breaks out of it you will be doing that as well.

Lots of times these plugs stick becaus ethe owners are to #%$^%^&** cheap to put in a 50 cent gasket or cut one out of cardboard, and instead just torque the drain plug to 6000# to get it to seal... when in reality.. about 20-30# and a nice gasket works JUST FINE!

soundguy

 

[Scott W]

Thanks all for the info!!!