Differential Plug Tool

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Aug 6, 2014 | 06:46 AM

Cavu2u

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 2,569

Likes: 126

From: San Diego California

Differential Plug Tool

I'm looking for the GM plug tool for removing & installing that rear end plug. The open square socket. My plug is in there super tight because of a previous overzealous owner/mechanic, and it seems nothing I have fits the plug well enough for the torque required to remove it.
Does anyone here know where this tool can be obtained?

Thanks in advance.
Steve

Aug 6, 2014 | 07:10 AM

Mooser

Race Director

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 11,183

Likes: 3,335

From: North of Toronto - Ontario

IIRC all you should need is a 5/8 square (8 point style) socket.
Check someplace that deals with machinery / farm / tractor type stuff, should be semi common
M

Aug 6, 2014 | 07:23 AM

Mooser

Race Director

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 11,183

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From: North of Toronto - Ontario

Also, if you do find one, look at it carefully and make sure its a double square and not some torx looking thing.

Sears should also carry it down there.
M

Aug 6, 2014 | 07:57 AM

dan1495

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 1,073

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From: Clear Lake Shores Texas

2016 C3 of Year Finalist

I agree with the 8 point 1/2" socket. I had to buy mine online. It came from Armstrong tools, I believe

Aug 6, 2014 | 08:09 AM

Blue73Shark

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 1,050

Likes: 205

From: Lewes Delaware

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooser

IIRC all you should need is a 5/8 square (8 point style) socket.
Check someplace that deals with machinery / farm / tractor type stuff, should be semi common
M

I got mine on Amazon and it worked great.

Fran

Aug 6, 2014 | 08:45 AM

Cavu2u

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 2,569

Likes: 126

From: San Diego California

Like this?

Would this work?

http://www.mcmaster.com/#5545a46/=t5tf7a

Aug 6, 2014 | 08:46 AM

Mooser

Race Director

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 11,183

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From: North of Toronto - Ontario

Looks like it's the right critter
M

Aug 6, 2014 | 08:52 AM

Ontario73

Pro

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 535

Likes: 8

From: London Ontario

A crow's foot works well too!

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Aug 6, 2014 | 09:09 AM

71scgc

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 2,413

Likes: 59

From: Emerald Isle NC

Bigass crescent wrench.

Carter

Aug 6, 2014 | 10:59 AM

#10

Paul L

Team Owner

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 30,995

Likes: 99

From: Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooser

IIRC all you should need is a 5/8 square (8 point style) socket.
Check someplace that deals with machinery / farm / tractor type stuff, should be semi common
M

That is correct. Not 6 or 12 but eight-sided. Tool companies carry it.

A breaker bar always helps.

Last edited by Paul L; Aug 6, 2014 at 11:07 AM.

Aug 6, 2014 | 12:22 PM

#11

Cavu2u

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 2,569

Likes: 126

From: San Diego California

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71scgc

Bigass crescent wrench.

Carter

I tried the big crescent trip;

Too big to get on it and turn, as it's a tight area.

A smaller crescent isn't enough to loosen the mf'er. (No...the guy who last tightened it in there is the mf'er!)

Aug 6, 2014 | 12:55 PM

#12

widowmaker221

Instructor

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 220

Likes: 17

From: Pasadena MD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cavu2u

I tried the big crescent trip;

Too big to get on it and turn, as it's a tight area.

A smaller crescent isn't enough to loosen the mf'er. (No...the guy who last tightened it in there is the mf'er!)

Place a bar or wrench over small crescent wrench to extend leverege.

Aug 6, 2014 | 01:04 PM

#13

ddawson

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 5,738

Likes: 644

From: Lincoln, CA

Hit it with some lube like PB Blaster. They can be rusted in place pretty good.

On my RX7 I gave up and took it in and they needed a 4 foot bar to break the plug free.

Aug 6, 2014 | 07:03 PM

#14

SteveTheCorvette

Advanced

Joined: Aug 2014

Posts: 54

Likes: 2

From: Milwaukee WI

Technically 12 points work on square heads, that's how I got mine out. Might not be the greatest idea if it's really in there, though.

Aug 6, 2014 | 07:33 PM

#15

Paul L

Team Owner

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 30,995

Likes: 99

From: Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cavu2u

I tried the big crescent trip;

Too big to get on it and turn, as it's a tight area.

A smaller crescent isn't enough to loosen the mf'er. (No...the guy who last tightened it in there is the mf'er!)

An exercise in futility. No crescent wrench should go near a Corvette. Get the proper socket or butcher it off and put a new one on.

Aug 6, 2014 | 08:47 PM

#16

Cavu2u

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 2,569

Likes: 126

From: San Diego California

Quote:

Originally Posted by widowmaker221

Place a bar or wrench over small crescent wrench to extend leverege.

I don't have a lift Widowmaker, so room to apply a lever is nonexistent. A socket, on a long long extension so the lever can be outside the wheel well, is the only option I have here at home.