Always take the Fill Level Plug out first!

[Ted the Red]

This has been alot of fun. This past weekend my father and I set out to get a bit of work done on the miata. On the list of to dos was change the struts and springs, and all of the fluids ( trans, engine oil, and diff). We got the struts and springs done, but when we took the pass rear wheel off noticed that the rotor was worn down to nothing. Seriously nothing! So we decide to go ahead and finish up some more of the list before stopping for the day. My dad takes the drain plug out of the diff and drains the oil. Then he trys to remove the Fill Level plug. To make a long story short it won't come out. We tried wrenches, sockets, vise grips, hammers and chisels. I am guessing the only way to ge the thing out is going to be to drill it out.

Anyone have any other ideas? All suggestions will be appreciated.

Michael

[sammm]

Pipe/monkey wrench. (Big one!)

[johnwag]

Use an impact wrench with plenty of reverse torque and back that sucker off. Make sure you are going counter-clockwise.

[wrxmr2eater]

Box end wrench and a rubber mallet.

[MadMerv]

socket and 18" breaker bar..................

[cam76034]

Deja vu. Been there, done that. Try some PB blaster overnight, then socket and breaker bar as previously recommended.

[Ted the Red]

Pipe/monkey wrench. (Big one!)

I don't think that I can get one in there. The bolt is very short and the cooling fins look to be in the way.

[Ted the Red]

Use an impact wrench with plenty of reverse torque and back that sucker off. Make sure you are going counter-clockwise.

I will have to try that. My dad has air tools just no compressor.... Divorce ! But I am always careful to remember Righty tighty lefty loosy.

[sammm]

I don't think that I can get one in there. The bolt is very short and the cooling fins look to be in the way.

My bad. I was thinking tranny fluid fill, not the diff.

[Ted the Red]

My bad. I was thinking tranny fluid fill, not the diff.

Not a problem... Thanks for trying to help anyway.

[Supermiataman]

If you can a good ol whack w/ a hammer can help (but put a wrench on it, so not to damage the shape of the bolt head)

I've used this method to break loose many a suspension bolts
1. penetrating oil, overnight if possible
2. place wrench on bolt and hit the head of the bolt dead on, (not to turn it) but to hopefully get some mvmnt/vibrations out of the threads. a cpl good whacks seems to do it.
3. a very good fitting 6 pt. socket if possible via either breakover bar or impact wrench...

[Ted the Red]

Thanks to all that posted their helpful comments. I was able to use a berage of all of the methods as well as drilling the center of the plug out to reduce uts strength. I finally got it out! The replacement plug and a bunch of gaskets should be here tomorrow so hopefully I will have him back on the street raising heck by the weekend.

[TurboDuane]

Thanks to all that posted their helpful comments. I was able to use a berage of all of the methods as well as drilling the center of the plug out to reduce uts strength. I finally got it out! The replacement plug and a bunch of gaskets should be here tomorrow so hopefully I will have him back on the street raising heck by the weekend.

Hmm, I was going to suggest turning the car upside-down, and re-filling the diff and calling it good

[Ted the Red]

Hmm, I was going to suggest turning the car upside-down, and re-filling the diff and calling it good

That may have been easier than hasselling with that bolt!

[miataspeedracer]

I will have to try that. My dad has air tools just no compressor.... Divorce ! But I am always careful to remember Righty tighty lefty loosy.

So his ex-wife WANTED the compressor...?

[Treibenschnell]

So his ex-wife WANTED the compressor...?

It's amazing what else Sears makes powered by air...

[Darron65]

It's amazing what else Sears makes powered by air...

but air tools usually don't heat up!