Differential drain plug drilling difficulty?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,419
Likes: 2,746
So what exactly is the size of the tap? I did mine on the bench, inconjuction with pulling the batwing for poly mounts and new u-joints; I drilled and tapped for a 1/8th inch pipe plug wit a recessed allen head;
of course this was AFTER I pulled the lowest batwing / differential mounting bolt and then wondered why no fluid drained out
of course this was AFTER I pulled the lowest batwing / differential mounting bolt and then wondered why no fluid drained out
You aren't the first and I'd guess NOT the last that has done this. Some have actually modified the housing to use that bolt as a drain-plug BUT I believe it's not a good choice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
I have never had an issue with removing the tap after about five turns into a material that I do not want the cut material to pass thru the hole. You just gently thread the tap back in, just like you would start a bolt.
If I am taping large quantities, I have a tapping head that fits in my drill press and I can tap a 1/2-16 hole in less than a minute. That is tap and extract the tap. I also using a tapping fluid to lubricate the tap.
If I am taping large quantities, I have a tapping head that fits in my drill press and I can tap a 1/2-16 hole in less than a minute. That is tap and extract the tap. I also using a tapping fluid to lubricate the tap.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 144
Likes: 5
From: Alexandria VA
You want to "rinse" the housing it seems. Flush in an automotive conversation generally implies a "run through and drain". You could do as you mention just rinse it with maybe a motor oil product, and maybe the differential fluid would do well. I'd keep anything that hinted cleaner out of it.
Use a heavy grease to lubricate your tap and the "trash" will/should stay pretty much with the tap.
Use a heavy grease to lubricate your tap and the "trash" will/should stay pretty much with the tap.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 144
Likes: 5
From: Alexandria VA
Thanks! I hope to be a bit more mechanically inclined after I do all of the minor work on this car that I want to do. I really don't understand why they wouldn't just manufacture the differential with a drain plug, and I would guess it discourages owners from changing fluid. I don't even want to know how long that old oil was in there for and wish I'd done this job sooner.
;
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 144
Likes: 5
From: Alexandria VA
So what exactly is the size of the tap? I did mine on the bench, inconjuction with pulling the batwing for poly mounts and new u-joints; I drilled and tapped for a 1/8th inch pipe plug wit a recessed allen head;
of course this was AFTER I pulled the lowest batwing / differential mounting bolt and then wondered why no fluid drained out
of course this was AFTER I pulled the lowest batwing / differential mounting bolt and then wondered why no fluid drained out
too many bolts under there! It's a 1/8 in. but I'll be doing it from under the car. Hopefully there's no issue with the Y-pipe getting in the way, or I'll need to find something to extend the tap. I was just barely able to get off the fill plug with WD40, a sledgehammer, and the hex wrench. Otherwise this would've become an interesting situation!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 144
Likes: 5
From: Alexandria VA
