The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Stuck bolt problem

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice. I've got a frozen filler bolt on my 54's differential cover. It has a square head, and appears to be 3/4". I tried the spanner and various pliers with no luck. Is heat my only other option? I don't have an oxy-acetylene torch, but was hoping to get by with one of those mapp-gas torches you can get cheap at my local hardware store. Will that give me enough heat to loosen things up?

Also, I'm thinking a "double square" socket would be nice to have--or a big pipe wrench. Surely someone else has had this problem before. I did find one vendor the sells the bolt , so drilling it out could be an option. Thanks in advance.

Greg,

I have used a big pipe wrench with nice sharp teeth to get them off. They will usually be junk after this procedure, so ordering a new one in advance would be a good plan.

Stuart

I've used a short bolt with two nuts locked onto it and pounded it into the plug. I don't know if the impact of the hammer or the turning of the wrench loosened it but it came out. Be patient with it and work a little at a time. Sometimes a chisel or center punch will work to turn it out as well.

These are common pipe threaded plugs and replacements are easy to get. You can buy sockets that fit them at a place that sells plumbing tools, and then get an impact wrench on it. If you decide to use a flame wrench I would remove the differential cover before heating it. You don't want to cook the oil inside.

I don't think the plug is a tapered pipe thread. The picture linked shows a face sealing type plug with gasket and straight threads. I know I have seen tapered pipe plugs in differentials, but this doesn't appear to be one. As Tim L. would say, "I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong".

Stuart

a propane torch will work fine heat it and cool it two or 3 times just that alone should brake it loose tap on it with a hammer a few times as your turning the wrench

Greg ,
Try this one .....I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN THIS PRODUCT.. soak it down with PB BLASTER ...the stuff just plain works !...let it set overnight an give it a try .
Heck the plant i work in wont supply my Maint. crew with it so we all throw in what it takes to purchase it bye the case ...an we use it all the time on 3rd shift , an we keep it locked up our ANAL ORRIFICE sooos the folks on days dont use it all up ! hehehe

Is your current plug an 'inny' or an 'outie'?

Ain't been a bolt or nut I haven't been able to get loose with WD40, a MAP Gas/Propane torch, and a little time.

I don't think those are straight threads on that bolt, and it isn't a common thread either. I think it is a NPSF, that is a finer thread. It is used where sealing is important, but I am guessing. You'll know when you get that rascal out. Let us know when you get 'er done. I am curious

The plug is an "outie" just like the picture linked in the first message of this topic. It sounds like the MAP gas and a big pipe wrench should do the trick. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something obvious I was overlooking. I also have some PB Blaster and I'll be sure to pre-soak it before I work on it again. I'll also try to remember my camera and post up some pictures--we all like pictures! Thanks for the help.

I've heard good stuff about PB Blaster.. I haven't ever used it first hand, but some kind of WD/Liquid Wrench/PB Blaster/Kroll soaked in there, little heat, and a BFW outta have that bugger out of there with little trouble.

Some people replace those plugs with 'innies', that way when they need to pull 'em, they can take 'em out with just a big breaker bar or ratchet.

I agree--with the BFW being key. Sounds like a good excuse to buy a new tool! We are really just starting on this truck, and although it is is good shape, I know there will be many more cases like this.

If you have a place shop near you that works on farm equipment they will most likely have 8 point sockets that fit square nuts. Alot of the older farm stuff has square headed nuts and bolts. I have a complete set and if the plug hasn't been rounded off the socket on a 1/2" impact will back them out. The 8 point sockets are also handy for using on the square end on thread taps since sometimes there isn't room for a regular tap handle to swing and being able to use a ratchet is faster and less tiring.

Better yet, get a 3/4" square socket. There's no chance of rounding the plug off wiht a square socket. I use a Wright part# 3324. Fits the plug on the master cylinder, too.

If you have a welder, a trick i use is welding on a piece of bar stock or a nut to the plug. The heat from the weld will often loosen the stuck part. This work on bolts if you have enough sticking out to weld to.

Don't overlook - lefty loosey, righty tighty!

Hey guys, sorry for the late update, but my truck progress seems to move on a geological scale. Kids and other excuses keep me from getting out there more.

Anyway, my dad and I got that pesky bolt off. Mapp gas, big channel locks, a big hammer, and some WD-40 did the trick. We managed to beat up the square bolt head pretty good, so I'll have to pick up a new one next time I order parts. The good thing is that the differential is back together, not leaking, and full of fresh lube.

see:: tech tip

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/brokenbolt.htm