Oops - tightened my diff plug too tight.

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Oops - tightened my diff plug too tight.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Hjortnaes, Men Falls, WI on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - 12:24 am:

Now I cannot loosen it. The wrench stripped it, so I tried a socket - no go. Ground the socket down to make it fit tighter and still no go. What is the next step? A screw extractor.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - 12:51 am:

Locking pliers? Pipe wrench?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - 12:54 am:

If worse comes to worst weld a nut on it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenny Edmondson, Indianapolis on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - 06:32 am:

A punch and hammer will loosen it easily. Hit the hex of the plug in the direction of rotation to loosen it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - 07:21 am:

Dave,

If the regular punch does not work -- a cold chisel probably will. Make an indent by first striking the hex so the cold chisel will not slip. Then after you have the “V” notch, slant the cold chisel so the hammer strike will loosen the nut. It is a standard plug so you should rotate it counter clockwise as you look towards the head/hex. Avoid scarring the differential housing. Wear safety goggles incase a metal piece flies off. Holding the cold chisel with the pliers saves the hand.

Note the words are not very clear but you want the chisel 90 degrees to the rotation of the plug. I.e. in the plane with the rear wheel diameter and not parallel to the rear axle shafts.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Huson, Berthoud, Co. on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - 09:05 am:

I never put a model T plug in the rear end or oil pan, they are a joke. As much as I hate using anything Model A on a T, I ALWAYS always use model A oil plugs as they are twice as thick and do not round off like the T plugs

By the way the chisel trick does work and make removing the T plugs easy.

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Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - 09:07 am:

I've seen several with those "chisel notches" in them as Hap mentioned. Apparently it worked. Welding a nut onto it is another good idea.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Doug Money - Braidwood, IL on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - 09:37 am:

But most of all, don't put the darned thing in so tight in the first place. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rich Stinchcomb, Trumbull, CT on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - 10:17 am:

With my housing apart and cleaned, I used a torch to briefly heat up the plug. Came right out with a regular socket. Mine had no gasket under the plug to bring it out a little from the housing so I figure it will come out easier next time with a gasket.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - 10:59 am:

Like Rich said, you've probably got no gasket under there. That's awfully tight any way.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Todd on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - 11:22 am:

I like to plug weld a washer onto the plug and then cut the sides of the washer off even w/the plug. This makes the head of the plug thick enough so's a wrench doesn't slip off.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Treace, North FL on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - 02:13 pm:

I like to use the correct tool :-)

Too fat a wrench will wander off the thin hex plug sides and round it off.

The Ford hub cap wrench tool is what is designed for....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Hjortnaes, Men Falls, WI on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - 09:10 pm:

Once it is off it is going to get a washer. Dan's right. Should have tightened it with the correct wrench.


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