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MG MGA - Changing differential oil.

I am trying to change the differential oil of my 1960, 1600 A. What do you use to unscrew the drain plug? I haven't found anything to fit the square inset. Do I just need to get a pair of vise grips to unscrew it?
Thanks,
Jack
J Weiss

Try the drive end of your socket wrench. I can't remember if it takes 1/2" or 3/8".

Chris
CM Harter

Take a 1/2" bolt and grind or file a square end.
Art Pearse

3/8" does it on mine. Most plugs are pretty chewed up, so the square drive might turn in the hole. Well - it almost certainly will, but it usually manages to get a grip.

But now I'm going to make a tool like Art says.
Probably today.
Nick

You should be able to get a drain plug spanner that has a number of different plug sizes (looks like a dog's bone) You may have to file one of the blocks to get a really good fit. That said, my drain plug was OK, but the filler was solid and I could not get it to budge. I used a hammer and chisel to turn the plug and replaced with a new one. Another standard bodge is to jam (with a BFH) a large flat bladed tool across opposite corners of the hole and to turn the tool with molegrips or spanner etc.

Make sure you can remove the filler before removing the drain, or your car will be off the road!
Neil McGurk

Jack if you really get stuck the thing to do is to get someone to Mig Weld a bolt into the drain plug and then you can use an ordinary socket and ratchet or perhaps a T bar to shift the thing. Had to do this with my filler plug which broke up. Worked a treat.
David
D C GRAHAME

Remember, the square hole is tapered, so a 3/8 square drive end will tear the hole a bit.
Art Pearse

I took a 3" long 1/2" drive socket extension and ground it to fit the drain plug square hole. Works great!
H Speer

I keep a length of 1/2" square bar in the garage. Whenever problems like this occur I cut off a suitable length and grind down to suit. I think this is my diff version.

steve

Steve Gyles

Jack,
I purchased a "special tool" to do the job without running the plug or a 1/2" extension . If you would like to borrow it I would be happy to lend it to you.
Chris Velardi

I tried the rachet ends, both 1/2 and 3/8, but they didn't work. One too big, one too small. I think it is tapered so it abrely slips in, not enough to turn.
Jack
J Weiss

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/tools/ts204.htm
Barney Gaylord

We made a tool just like steve. The worst part is fill ing with oil. Make sure you have somebody to fill the oil syringe for you.
DJ Lake

I made one from square stock like Steve but welded a Nut on the end. (The Hex "tool" is for the 5 speed)



Jim Ferguson

This thread was discussed between 05/08/2009 and 06/08/2009

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