Removing rear differential plugs

[Towncivilian]

How the hell do I get these things off? I tried a 1/2" torque wrench with socket extension (with a relatively long handle) and both plugs wouldn't budge. Two of my friends also tried. With the spare tire removed, I'm able to sit underneath the car (no lift or jacking up), and I couldn't get either of the plugs to move at all, and that's surprising considering the amount of leverage I have with the drain plug especially. There's no rust or anything on the plugs, they're just impossible to remove. Is there some special tool I need? We already started to strip the fill plug a bit, the metal is visibly bent. I plan on replacing both plugs with new ones.

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[Towncivilian]

I did, guess I didn't read it closely enough. Is heat (or welding an extension) really necessary to remove these plugs?

[m0nkeyprince]

I used bernzomatic's blue fat boy propane jar, 10 bucks at home depot, put the plug under the heat for a minute or two, then used a breaker bar.

http://www.bernzomatic.com/PRODUCTS/FUE ... fault.aspx

[CanuckQx4]

Hand held propane torch doesnt get NEAR as hot as an oxy tank

You got dealt a poopy hand and your plugs are frozen, mine came off with a 12" handle and 2 days of being soaked in liquid wrench a couple times a day, no problem. Yours are stuck, I wouldnt go stripping them anymore. I would get a shop to heat them with an oxy torch, you could probly find a private mechanic or garage on craigslists to do it for dirt cheap

[Chuck Tribolet]

How the hell do I get these things off? I tried a 1/2" torque wrench with socket extension (with a relatively long handle) and both plugs wouldn't budge.

Torque wrenches are precision devices for precisely TIGHTENING, not loosening. Use a big breaker bar.

Chuck

[Towncivilian]

I bought a $13 propane torch attachment and will attempt to get those plugs off soonish. Got new plugs ready to replace the old ones too, as well as a 25 inch breaker bar. I assume I'll just need to run the flame over the plug for about 45 seconds to a minute and then attempt to remove it?

[CanuckQx4]

With a handheld propane, maybe even 2 minutes if it gets near hot enough at all

[Pathy415]

I originally tried using a 24" breaker bar but it didn't work and it felt like I was starting to strip the plug.

I went to Lowes and bought this propane torch and torched it for about a minute and it came off with no problem:

[Chris.m]

Changed my front/rear differential fluids today, my rear fill plug was even too stuck for me to use a 24 inch breaker bar. Luckily I'm so clever





- In case anyone else stubles upon the problem...

[Towncivilian]

Heh. I was thinking about doing that, too, but I ultimately had Nissan do the work for $25. I supplied the fluid and replacement plugs and all is well.

[Pathy415]

Changed my front/rear differential fluids today, my rear fill plug was even too stuck for me to use a 24 inch breaker bar. Luckily I'm so clever



- In case anyone else stubles upon the problem...

That's a good idea! The only problem I see is a possibility of stripping the plug. I went with the torch method and it came of like butter. After heating up a 1/2" ratchet could have taken it off.

[Chris.m]

The square head was in good shape, so it wouldn't slip. I think the smooth jack motion helped prevent stripping too.

I'll buy a torch one of these days..

[Densetsu]

Heh. I was thinking about doing that, too, but I ultimately had Nissan do the work for $25. I supplied the fluid and replacement plugs and all is well.

That sounds like a steal of a deal, $25 for the labour to do that. Did you have them replace the plugs with new ones, too?

Dealerships here would probably charge you a $25 "vehicle transportation fee" just to drive your vehicle from the parking lot into their garage. I wouldn't expect a dealership to swap out the fluids of the two diffs for less than $100.

[Towncivilian]

Yep, I simply left the new fluid and plugs on the passenger seat and told the service adviser to use those. They quoted $49 for diff service, but when I asked about supplying my own fluid they just said it'd be $25 - just a typical oil change price. I visited a local shop right near my house and they wanted $89 for the rear diff. I've got a 2WD, so all I've got is a rear diff. But yeah, $25 is great!