Thread: Sump Bolt

This isn't as uncommon as you think Yorkie, the plug is recessed into the sump on early Td5's, (Changed later thank goodness) and I have had grind thinner a single hex 17mm impact socket to fit. They are sometimes overtightened and it is a pain to loosen them without the right sized/ modified socket

If the plug is THAT butchered, then it can be undone using a cold chisel, but will not be able to be refitted again. Can't recall the thread size, but M14 rings a bell... Get a genuine one, and a new washer. Maybe even grind off the protruding part surrounding the sump plug while you are at it



JC

If it wasn't such a big bolt, I'd suggest cutting a groove in it with a fine grinding wheel or a hacksaw or a dremel tool and trying to get it out with a big screwdriver, but I don't reckon that's going to be a goer.

Can you file 2 parallel sides and try it with an open ended spanner 1 or 2 mm smaller than the original size?

The drain plug on the diff on our work vans have a real thin head & is 22mm,i think.It is also recessed.I rounded one off,eventually got it.

I gave it a few big hits with a hammer,and also ground off the end of a socket,so it grips better.

If yuo look at the end of the socket that goes on the bolt head,you may find is sort of tapered,& grinding 5mm off the end will make it grip better.

I then got a new bolt.

Yours may be to far gone,& needs the services of a mechanic.

Good Luck

If its a stuck sump bolt .... Then this is your best weapon of choice


http://pipewrench.org/10skhand.jpg



Mike

Originally Posted by mike 90 RR

If its a stuck sump bolt .... Then this is your best weapon of choice
http://pipewrench.org/10skhand.jpg
Mike

What said if you can get it on the nut the hrder you pull the tighter it gets

Wonder if you could spot weld an old socket extension bar onto it just to get it out?

went to bunnies and bought a socket for removing stuck nuts, called vicegrip or something. anyway it came out with the help of a FBH!

now just have to hope my local supercarp or auto-one have one tomorrow. has to be local as only have the one car and have to walk to get it
thanks the tips all and hope to be solved now.
cheers
yorkie

This is what a mechanic told me what to do if a sump plug is very tight.

The major problem is that you do not have enough force to keep the socket on the plug AND undo at the same time.

The trick is that you use a trolley or bottle jack and set this up underneath the car with your socket, extension bar and breaker bar. You position everything under the sump plug and you literally lift the engine with the socket, breaker bar in place. Now that socket and breaker bar is not going anywhere as it is jammed between jack and sump plug and the added weight of the engine.

Now you just undo the sump plug. It only takes a small crack and she's off.

Works every time apparently

Originally Posted by feral

This is what a mechanic told me what to do if a sump plug is very tight.

The major problem is that you do not have enough force to keep the socket on the plug AND undo at the same time.

The trick is that you use a trolley or bottle jack and set this up underneath the car with your socket, extension bar and breaker bar. You position everything under the sump plug and you literally lift the engine with the socket, breaker bar in place. Now that socket and breaker bar is not going anywhere as it is jammed between jack and sump plug and the added weight of the engine.

Now you just undo the sump plug. It only takes a small crack and she's off.

Works every time apparently

Or just buy some single hex sockets