Proper removal of 3/8 drive gearbox check/drains

[Raven]

Hi,

I encounter a problem somewhat frequently of stripped out or rounded out 3/8 drive gearbox check plugs.

For 10mm hex drive ones, we use a Torx T55 driver on it, and hope for the best.

For stripped out/rounded out 18mm drive aluminum plugs on a GM transfer case, we ... actually ... ahem don't have a 18mm easy-out. Many goofballs like to overtighten those things -- let's just say, someone has actually cracked a transfer case from doing that.

For rounded out 24mm Toyota gearbox checkplugs, we use a 15/16" easy-out.

And for rounded out "rubbery" Land Rover gearbox check plugs, well -- I didn't check that gearbox. And about two weeks ago I had to use a 10mm easy-out on the Chevy Cruze 10mm aluminum hex drive oil drain plug. Heh.


But 3/8 drive check plugs are all over the place, from many marques, and I have yet to know of a proper extractor bit for removing them. Someone on another forum said to use nipple extractors for pipe.

I can weld, but we don't have any welding machines in the shop. A hardwire welding machine with some 5356 alumiumum wire on hand (or a stick welder with 7014 and some aluminum welding rods) sounds like the proper solution to cover all possible events.

Anybody have any ideas or know of any extractor bits for removing those female check/drain plugs?

 

[Merkava_4]

Have you tried the tapered square extractors? Those kind you can hammer in to get a good bite.

 

[HangFire]

There is no "proper" to the removal. It should be replaced with a new one, so drill with a LH bit and use the extractor of your choosing.

 

[Raven]

We have some of those square tapered extractors but nothing in something we actually need, namely 10mm hex and 3/8 female square drive. I think they're 1/2" and something else, we have 3 sizes.

 

[andyd]

All you gotta do is to move the metal back into the hole with a small ball peen hammer Clean the dirt out of the hole first. then tap the face. You will have to drive the hex key in until it bottoms then bck it out

 

[mjoekingz28]

It would seem they wouldnt seize since there is a bath of oil of the other side of the plug face.

That is crazy! Cruzes are new in my book and you are in Cali (so no salt corrosion excuses), so how are they seizing? Did someone do a fluid exchange before and crank down on the check/fill plug?

 

[mjoekingz28]

Also Raven, andyd brings up an item. There is some screwdriver tool that you hit with a 32oz sledge and it cams the bit to turn, this loosening where manual torquing cannot.

Maybe there is one for three eight drives

 

[HangFire]

Originally Posted By: mjoekingz28
It would seem they wouldnt seize since there is a bath of oil of the other side of the plug face.

That is crazy! Cruzes are new in my book and you are in Cali (so no salt corrosion excuses), so how are they seizing? Did someone do a fluid exchange before and crank down on the check/fill plug?


Hurried techs using impact tools.