2007 Corvette - Stuck differential fill plug
- Thread starter Hirev
- Start date
Use some heat but an old trick taught to me by a mechanic was to tighten it first, if it breaks free, then you can loosen it.
Finally that trick pays off for someone. I had a brake line I couldn't crack loose once and I just hit it with a little pb blaster every other day for a couple weeks. Came out easy.
Put a pipe or half the jack handle on your breaker bar.
Otherwise, anyone make an aftermarket diff cover with drain/fill holes?
Put a pipe or half the jack handle on your breaker bar.
Otherwise, anyone make an aftermarket diff cover with drain/fill holes?
PB blaster and some heat. Breaker bar can't hurt 
Does your square drive socket fit well into the recess? If not clean out the rust and dirt. Liquid Wrench is my choice as it does very well in the Project Farm head to head tests. Definitely apply it at least a few times a few days ahead. It’s well proven time helps.
If it still won’t come out. Apply heat with a propane torch. Oxy acetylene is better if you have a setup.
Liquid Wrench will smoke but not ignite.
I use a 12” 3/8 mini breaker bar to apply torque. Good luck. I’m assuming you can’t get an impact wrench into position.
If it still won’t come out. Apply heat with a propane torch. Oxy acetylene is better if you have a setup.
Liquid Wrench will smoke but not ignite.
I use a 12” 3/8 mini breaker bar to apply torque. Good luck. I’m assuming you can’t get an impact wrench into position.
dnewton3
Staff member
What's the application? (year and model of vehicle?)
Got pix?
Got pix?
Heat it up, smear some valve grinding compound on the tool you're using, and work it back and forth.
I have also had lock using and L+key and smacking it with a stout hammer.
I have also had lock using and L+key and smacking it with a stout hammer.
On My GMC Yukon couldn't get fill plug out before I drained it so used my small size impact air driven impact from Harbor Freight that I bought just for low clearance areas. It hammered just a little and then came right out. Asked the guy at the lube place to check it and he used a breaker bar and could not get it out. So I am a believer in that small impact wrench.
Show us a pic on how much access you have at the plug. Can you get an extension to reach the plug and use an impact wrench?
Here is a pic of my 3/8” mini breaker bar.
2007 corvette so IRS differential is mostly buried got about 2 1/2" of working room front to back for 10mm hex.
Not room for impact wrench unfortunately.
I'm going to try this
I was servicing a Camry(?) with a pretty rounded out 6mm hex plug. Thought I was in deep yogurt and pulled out the Knipex Cobras... Dang thing broke torque pretty easy. Saved my bacon! Good luck.
Is the bolt rounded off a bit or do you just not have enough space to use an extension/breaker bar?
I've used a hammer to hit a ratchet plenty of times to break a bolt/nut loose. Poor mans impact gun.
I've used a hammer to hit a ratchet plenty of times to break a bolt/nut loose. Poor mans impact gun.
JHZR2
Staff member
That’s annoying. The pod MB differentials would often get a seized diff fill/drain plug, and would require a leg press on a long breaker bar… or an impact.
I’d get a quality hex key, and put a box end 6pt wrench on it. That will be minimum clearance. Then do whatever you can to extend that wrench.
Heat and cool may help too.
Good luck!
I’d get a quality hex key, and put a box end 6pt wrench on it. That will be minimum clearance. Then do whatever you can to extend that wrench.
Heat and cool may help too.
Good luck!
Awesome!!
I've mentioned that trick before. Back around 2012 I could not get the fill plug out on the 2006 Trailblazer. It was beginning to round from the previous owner. I rolled into a local mechanic shop and the owner says this trick and he wont take my money because he wanted me to try it first. Worked like a charm.
I've mentioned that trick before. Back around 2012 I could not get the fill plug out on the 2006 Trailblazer. It was beginning to round from the previous owner. I rolled into a local mechanic shop and the owner says this trick and he wont take my money because he wanted me to try it first. Worked like a charm.
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