Frozen ZF drain plug
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Have you tried spraying PB Blaster or some other penitrating oil on it and using a breaker bar with a pipe extension? WD-40 won't cut it. If that doesn't do it, you might try some heat on the case around the plug, but be very careful.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by ninetyfivevette
Have you tried spraying PB Blaster or some other penitrating oil on it and using a breaker bar with a pipe extension? WD-40 won't cut it. If that doesn't do it, you might try some heat on the case around the plug, but be very careful.
but be very careful
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Port Angeles WA
Originally Posted by ninetyfivevette
Have you tried spraying PB Blaster or some other penitrating oil on it and using a breaker bar with a pipe extension? WD-40 won't cut it. If that doesn't do it, you might try some heat on the case around the plug, but be very careful.
so after applying some heat I got the bright idea to try the vice-grip approach. Next step is the drill and ez-out. First I'll try the PB Blaster. Thanks for the helpRe: "Be very careful" What are the risks aside from setting my car on fire- damage to gaskets or bearings?
Last edited by Fast Eddiz; Jul 23, 2005 at 04:32 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 6
From: NS
Originally Posted by Fast Eddiz
Are there any tricks to removing a frozen drain plug? I'm stuck!
I think I saw a similar thread to this one awhile back but couldn't find it.
I think I saw a similar thread to this one awhile back but couldn't find it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 952
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown,WV USA
Frozen ZF drain plug
Drive the car around and get it very warm- then try to remove it before it cools down very much- that method has worked for me in the past and is a ton safer that using a propane torch on the trans.
Dan
Dan
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 110
From: Austin Texas
Since the hex is rounded out...here is what you do.
Find a bolt with a head that will fit snugly into the hex.
Insert the head of the bolt into the plug, tap it in good to seat it.
From here, you have 2 options:
Attach pipe wrench to the shaft of the bolt and remove...
Or put double nuts on the bolt and then use a breaker-bar to remove.
IF this won't work, go back to step 2 and tack-weld (arc-weld) the bolt to the plug. Don't use a gas torch...
Don't even ASK how I know how to do this...
Find a bolt with a head that will fit snugly into the hex.
Insert the head of the bolt into the plug, tap it in good to seat it.
From here, you have 2 options:
Attach pipe wrench to the shaft of the bolt and remove...
Or put double nuts on the bolt and then use a breaker-bar to remove.
IF this won't work, go back to step 2 and tack-weld (arc-weld) the bolt to the plug. Don't use a gas torch...
Don't even ASK how I know how to do this...
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