Cant budge the diff fill plug - Any suggestions?

[325ix]

definitely use a breaker bar

[txtorquemade]

Ok... UPDATE

20 inch breaker bar 17.00 HF special.
PB Blaster, apply let sit overnight 5.95
3lb sledge 0

One good whack with the proper tools (ie...not a ratchet)


PRICELESS.... Im now rolling with new RL diff and MT fluid.

Still need to rebuild my CV joints though. Dammit!!

[Nic01101011]

so long as the hex isnt stripping you're good. finding more torque is never an issue.
as others have said, breaker bar, or better yet, impact gun

[Ben Carufel]

wrench with a pipe slid over the end. you dont need some special breaker bar just get the shit off

Reading comprehension much?

He has said that he's working on jackstands, which means he doesn't have much room to use a large extension under the car (ever seen now little actual "turning" a long handle does when sticking out from under a car?)...

[lennon]

wrench with a pipe slid over the end. you dont need some special breaker bar just get the shit off

[txtorquemade]

Havent gotten to doing it yet. Still need to go get a breaker bar that will work.

[Optimator]

Shear genius...

This is a really great show on Bravo! Do you watch it too?

[Bimmerista]

Ever get it opened?

[txtorquemade]

Try getting another e30.

Shear genius...

Why didnt I think of that? :blowup:

[Bimmerista]

Try getting another e30.

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

If the oil has never been changed in the diff, expect to clear out the neighborhood with the foul stench that is the old diff fluid.

[maniacmatt]

Try heating the plug itself and then letting it cool completely before removing it. It works on a principle called Controlled Expansion/Free Contraction. Basically as you heat the plug with it in place it can only expand in two directions, however when you let it cool it contracts in all directions. What happens is the bolt actually changes shape, it becomes slightly longer and slightly smaller in diameter. Takes alot of heat to accomplish and the bolt is obviously garbage after.

It is very commonly used on large bolts and pins in heavy industrial applications but I have used it in all kinds of situations.

[txtorquemade]

Guys..

Hey...

Thanks for the ideas and encouragement.

I suspect the plug has never been out in over 200k miles. I also suspect I will the same problem with the tran plugs and drain plug on this diff.

Anyway, Im getting PB Blaster and appropriate breaker bar today. Gots the sledge hammer already.

If that dosent work Ill try roasting it first, then whackit.....whackit good.

[mentaleeill]

try tapping the head of the bolt straight on with a hammer. then use a good braker bar and some muscle.

99.9% of the time the breaker bar works by itself. a good solid tap from the hammer may free up any corrosion on the threads.

[nando]

even if you could get extensions in there, it's going to diminish the effectiveness of the impact. a breaker bar will work fine 99% of the time anyway.