Oil Draining

[steve.n]

Bought one of these recently, draining and refilling gearbox/axle is now a doddle. Wish I'd got one years ago.

[roadster72]

I've got one, ready and waiting to be used. The only problem is that the filler plugs won't undo. Th are a newer version, with a hexagonal hole for a key. The previous owner, or his mechanic, must have been very anxious in case they loosened. Brute force and heat have been tried, all to no avail.

All I know is there's enough oil in the gearbox to keep the overdrive working. As for the diff, who knows.

Short of removing and possibly placing the diff and gearbox, has anyone any ideas for dealing with the seized plugs?

[steve.n]

Bummer! Impact driver maybe but box removal sounds inevitable.
Steve

[brian0443]

Get an Allen key socket of the correct size and use an air wrench.same principal as an impact driver but all the force will be torsional.
Brian

[thebadleys]

Try "tightening" it then unscrewing with Brian's suggestion, tighten/release - tighten/release a few times.

Nigel

[jonmj]

Hi I have the same concern, can’t remove the level plug, is this tapered, as tightening might crack the casing if too extreme. I know I’m loosing oil and my overdrive has just become intermittent, which indicates low gearbox oil level. Any other suggestions to remove the plug.

[steve.n]

Not much help with removing the plug but you could possibly add oil via the top cover (gear lever).
Difficulty would be knowing how much is enough.
Steve

[davidf]

Don't pour oil down the gear-lever hole - it won't reach the gearbox. The gear-lever socket is open underneath, and there are 'O'-ring seals where the selector-rods from the gear lever pass into the top cover

[richardthestag]

I've got one, ready and waiting to be used. The only problem is that the filler plugs won't undo. Th are a newer version, with a hexagonal hole for a key. The previous owner, or his mechanic, must have been very anxious in case they loosened. Brute force and heat have been tried, all to no avail.

All I know is there's enough oil in the gearbox to keep the overdrive working. As for the diff, who knows.

Short of removing and possibly placing the diff and gearbox, has anyone any ideas for dealing with the seized plugs?

my first stag had this issue.

cheaper method is to cut a hole in the passenger side of the transmission tunnel to line up with the gearbox filler hole. you should be able to gain access directly to it with more space to swing a wrench. Then use a suitable sized rubber bung to seal it up again after.

saves a load of aggro in dropping the box etc

[steve.n]

I stand corrected about the gear lever hole. Good to find out these things.

[ReddiStag]

my first stag had this issue.

cheaper method is to cut a hole in the passenger side of the transmission tunnel to line up with the gearbox filler hole. you should be able to gain access directly to it with more space to swing a wrench. Then use a suitable sized rubber bung to seal it up again after.

saves a load of aggro in dropping the box etc

That's what I did with mine. Also, I'd recommend an eight-point socket if the original square plug is still in use there.

[davidf]

My gearbox also has a hex socket plug. I use an allen key; if it is a bit tight, it can be started with a tap on the end of the allen key with a suitable sized hammer (suitable means bigger and bigger till it works !!!)

[DJT]

My gearbox also has a hex socket plug. I use an allen key; if it is a bit tight, it can be started with a tap on the end of the allen key with a suitable sized hammer (suitable means bigger and bigger till it works !!!)

Based on the wise old saying: if at first you don’t succeed, try a bigger hammer....

[sujitroy]

Would heat work with an aluminium box and a steel plug. Which would give first?
Can you get a pair of stillson's pipe wrench/spanner on it? Plus Gas or whatever new equivalent is available now.
Sujit

[Kithmo]

Would heat work with an aluminium box and a steel plug. Which would give first?
Can you get a pair of stillson's pipe wrench/spanner on it? Plus Gas or whatever new equivalent is available now.
Sujit

Yes, just getting the engine and box up to temperature could make it easier to remove the plug.