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MG MGB Technical - rear end drain plug

anyone have a way to remove a frozen inspection plug on the rear housing? Is there a special tool to remove them? I have a 1/2 inch extension i turned down to fit. thanks Doug
dd doug46chief

Sounds like you have the tool to fit it. Is the problem that the threads are stuck?
Art Pearse

yup, i cant turn it and dont want to put it in a vise because afraid of damaging flange
dd doug46chief

dd, you are talking about the axle casing drain plug?
What flange are you refering to ?







Art Pearse

ART, the cover for the rear end is off the rear end and i cant get the inspection plug out. i need some way to hold it while i try to remove the plug.
dd doug46chief

Just screw it to a large block of wood, with washers to protect the flange from the screws. If you can't temporarily put it back on the axle for this?

If it's really stuck and you don't have a gas torch you could try welding a nut to the inside of the plug, really put a lot of heat into it, that should get it to turn. Then just cut the nut once the plug is out, leaving the square hole intact. If you have a welding machine that is, and there is good enough access to the plug from inside the cover. As my axle is a banjo one I don't know the inside of the tubes. :)

/Johan
Johan Garmer

Ahhhh, here on this site did we not have the recipe for the best releasing agent! Auto transmission fluid and acetone 5o/50 mix ( although can't see why this plug would be seized.) then the 'correct tool' can't remember was this a depressed square hole? or male square lug?? anyway this, and an impact driver, set to loosen, a couple of smart rapps should come away? Mike
J.M. Doust

thanks Mike i will try the mix and the impact wrench.
dd doug46chief

I suppose this is too obvious, but why don't you bolt it back on the axle to hold it?

FRM
FR Millmore

will try that but was hoping to do it on the bench to make sure it comes out so i can fill it through the plug.
dd doug46chief

If you are going to fill it through the plug presumably it will be back on the axle, so I can't see why you just don't put it back anyway! Even if it is without final tightening, new gasket, sealant etc!

These are a pain, I can't see why they aren't a male hex plug like on the gearbox. They may be an argument for the drain plug because of ground clearance, although the gearbox drain plug is a male. The threads are the same, but it's at a different point on the taper, so the male hex plug won't fit the axle, but the female axle plug just fits the gearbox. I've seen a recommendation to change the male plugs on the gearbox to the female axle ones, so you don't have to carry a spanner to fit the male ones, which just seems perverse to me.
PaulH Solihull

The new plugs that you can buy from Moss, etc have a hex head socket, as opposed to the dumb taper socket they came out with.

Alas, I have the same problem as the OP, but with the drain plug. I am wary of using heat on mine, as it is on the car and right next to the fuel tank.
R Howard

I would do this on a block of wood where you can see what you are doing and have plenty of room. Plus if it kills the pressing its already off the car. I really just posted to say it seems to me that this part of the Salisbury axle is very prone to rust. Last time I re-shimmed mine I was amazed to see large chunks flaking off when it had been prepped and painted very thorougly before going on. Sometimes you see them rusted right through on scrappers.
Stan Best

Just for Info. I've had two of these plugs that I couldn't remove. EVER. One of them I actually clamped, then heated with the Oxy/Acetylene torch to the point that the threaded portion of the plate was white hot and the plug itself was cherry red. It still would not be removed.

If you are able to remove the plug, do yourself a favour and replace it with a male plug.
JR Ross

"do yourself a favour and replace it with a male plug"

Love to. Source? Or spec?
PaulH Solihull

Hey Paul,

What I've done on my car is to cut the head off of a bolt that accepts a 5/8" wrench (spanner), and mig welded it to the existing female plug. It has worked a treat for the past 4 years.
JR Ross

Worth a try, on a spare, which I happen to have!
PaulH Solihull

This thread was discussed between 15/03/2012 and 02/04/2012

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