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.
Locking pliers? Pipe wrench?
If worse comes to worst weld a nut on it.
A punch and hammer will loosen it easily. Hit the hex of the plug in the direction of rotation to loosen it.
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
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.
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.
But most of all, don't put the darned thing in so tight in the first place.
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.
Like Rich said, you've probably got no gasket under there. That's awfully tight any way.
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.
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....
Once it is off it is going to get a washer. Dan's right. Should have tightened it with the correct wrench.