bugout
NAXJA Forum User
Looking for a little general advice. What is the best way to get the drain and fill plugs in and out of a 231 tc. Crescent wrench, wrench, socket???? Size??? 96 AW4, NP231, D30, C8.25
-
Welcome to the new NAXJA Forum! If your password does not work, please use "Forgot your password?" link on the log-in page. Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] if we can provide any assistance.
Best tool ???
- Thread starter bugout
- Start date
bugout
NAXJA Forum User
Appreciate the quick response Sir!
Matthew Currie
NAXJA Member #760
- Location
- Vermont, land of big clay
Some later TC's have a diabolically difficult socket instead of the nice big 30 mm. hex, and if you get a used one that's been messed up it can be a bear to get out. The hole is rather shallow and easy to ruin with the wrong wrench. On my 99 I actually ended up having to weld a wrench socket to the remains of mine. It's the same thread as the 30 mm. hex, fortunately, so it can be replaced if you can find the older type of plug.
- Location
- Maurertown,Va.
What I have found that helps , is to coat the threads (lightly) with plumbers pipe dope,the white kind with -PTFE or Teflon.It seals the threads and provides some lube. Also just snug up the plug,,,no need to be excessive.
N8N_99xj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Berwyn Heights, MD
Mine uses a 10mm (I think?) Allen...
Matthew Currie
NAXJA Member #760
- Location
- Vermont, land of big clay
Yah, that's the one. The plug is really too snug for such a small head, especially after many years, and the previous owner had apparently tried to use an SAE wrench on it. By the time I got it, no Allen wrench would fit it tightly enough. The big old 30mm is much nicer.
N8N_99xj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Berwyn Heights, MD
Is it still 1/2" NPT like the front axle? I was going to order some magnetic plugs while I had it on the lift the other day but the NAPA guy acted like I was asking for a third ear or something, so I will have to mail order. Also are there any inexpensive turdy-five covers with a pipe thread fill plug?
831_xj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Santa Cruz
I have the 10mm Allen too. Use a ratchet wrench and socket so you dont strip it out.
Lurch
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Long Beach, CA
The problem is because the case is aluminum and the plug is steel. I put a 10mm bit on a long breaker and gently apply leverage. An impact did nothing for me except to deform the allen plug.
GrimmJeeper
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Gardena, CA
that allen plug is the devil incarnate. pipe wrench or the big 30mm socket gets the job done for me on the other one. the socket can be a pain in the ass sometimes because the head on that plug isn't the same as a normal bolt head it's about half as tall.
bugout
NAXJA Forum User
Thanks for all the input gentlemen. I've got the one that has a giant 30mm head and ofcourse I don't have anything over 18-20. Gonna swing by NAPA or Advanced at the end of shift today.
old_man
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Loveland, Colorado
I found a lot of the sockets have a bevel on the inside to help guide the socket on to a nut. The problem is that the plug isn't very tall and I had a problem of the socket slipping off due to the bevel. I ended up grinding the socket down so there was no bevel and it worked a ton better.
N8N_99xj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Berwyn Heights, MD
Re: Re: Best tool ???
I've done this too, not for this exact application but for a similar low profile nut (I think something to do with a JGC PS pump?) I used a HF impact socket as it's cheap and 6 point.
I've done this too, not for this exact application but for a similar low profile nut (I think something to do with a JGC PS pump?) I used a HF impact socket as it's cheap and 6 point.
ParadiseXJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Paradise, CA 95969
Just an FYI...
Remove the fill hole first (top).
Then the drain plug (bottom).
Not fun draining all the fluid out just to find you can't refill it because the top one won't come out.
N8N_99xj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Berwyn Heights, MD
Good point! I didn't think to mention that because I've been working on old crap that doesn't want to come apart for decades... but it bears repeating!
Matthew Currie
NAXJA Member #760
- Location
- Vermont, land of big clay
Alas, the TC is not pipe threaded.
N8N_99xj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Berwyn Heights, MD
Pretty sure mine is, but mine has the hex recess not the 30mm hex. Apparently two completely different back covers then?
Matthew Currie
NAXJA Member #760
- Location
- Vermont, land of big clay
I don't recall that the hex was tapered like pipe thread. I do know that the 30 mm. plug off an 89 TC I had in the barn worked in it, so as far as I can see, they stayed the same.
Happytrails
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- USA
Didn't have a 30 mm. But used a 1 1/4 inch 6 point socket I had laying about. Its a bit loose, more like 32mm. But being a 6 point it worked. And ParadiseXJ's advice is important. Remove the top one first.
