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2 STUCK drain plugs. I’ve tried everything.. what do I do now??
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Cwconlon
New User
Sep 23, 2021, 5:22 AM
Post #1 of 10
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2 STUCK drain plugs. I’ve tried everything.. what do I do now??
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I am changing the fluids on my GEHL skid loader. It’s an old machine and this is my first time doing this so who knows how long these plugs have been stuck.
One plug is for the wheel drive and it takes a 5/8 square bit. Stuck!
The other is for the gear box. This is under the machine and is now completely rounded, perfect circle.
I have tried all that I can, I’ve used 3 different brands of penetrating oil, tapped with hammer, given it all my strength with a socket wrench. I’ve even bought those clover 🍀 bits made for rounded stuck bolts/plugs. This got tight but ultimately rounded it smaller and smaller.
I don’t know what to do. I’m thinking maybe a blow torch on the bolt but what are the chances it catches fire? These tanks both hold aw-32 but there’s saturation from oil all over..
The bolt under the machine is what I’m most worried about. It’s about 7/16 in size now and there is only about 9” of clearance under the loader…
I feel what’s left of the bolt will eventually break off. Welding something on it or continuing to torque it, it will eventually break. So what then? Should I consider that permanently closed and create a new drain next to it?
The square plug on the side for the wheels is easy access and I feel with a 24” ratchet might help. Otherwise I will just have to suck the fluids out from the top and change them that way.
The gear box doesn’t have that option and NEEDS figuring out…
I’m just at a loss right now.. so frustrating. Any professional advice will help.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 23, 2021, 10:04 AM
Post #4 of 10
(1436 views)
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Re: 2 STUCK drain plugs. I’ve tried everything.. what do I do now??
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Rust is not really your problem. Anything that holds oil doesn't rust the threads. Maybe the head will rust off but since you stated this had a square head, that tells me it's going to be tapered pipe thread plug and simply too tight.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 23, 2021, 11:19 AM
Post #5 of 10
(1428 views)
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Re: 2 STUCK drain plugs. I’ve tried everything.. what do I do now??
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A future time: With "square" things (assorted for old stuff) use REAL square socket, hard to find you want a 4 sided square not 8 then NEVER HAVE THIS BATTLE AGAIN,
T
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Cwconlon
New User
Sep 23, 2021, 1:56 PM
Post #6 of 10
(1417 views)
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Re: 2 STUCK drain plugs. I’ve tried everything.. what do I do now??
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Can you clarify that reply please? It is a little confusing.. real square socket?
Are you just recommending that I find a new plug with a hex vs square?
Thanks
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 23, 2021, 2:38 PM
Post #7 of 10
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Re: 2 STUCK drain plugs. I’ve tried everything.. what do I do now??
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Yes > Instead of a socket that is a hex (6) or (12 point) get one that is 5/8th square. They make 8 point ones but 4 would have full grip on square.
Lots of older stuff used square nuts and bolts all over - I own one still! If not easy to find there are square wrenches, some came with machines/vehicles,
Tom
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Sep 23, 2021, 2:42 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 23, 2021, 2:47 PM
Post #8 of 10
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Re: 2 STUCK drain plugs. I’ve tried everything.. what do I do now??
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Sorry for 2nd post in a row. IF you are in a real jam AFTER it's out and can't find the right one to replace it > I MAY HAVE TWO OF THEM IN STOCK > I bought all nuts, bolts of any kind from a defunct general auto/truck/machine parts store OMG 40 years ago! Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 23, 2021, 3:31 PM
Post #9 of 10
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Re: 2 STUCK drain plugs. I’ve tried everything.. what do I do now??
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Tom is basically telling you how to avoid this in the future. That socket won't help you now if you destroyed the one that's in there now.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Sep 23, 2021, 3:31 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Sep 23, 2021, 6:31 PM
Post #10 of 10
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Re: 2 STUCK drain plugs. I’ve tried everything.. what do I do now??
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It's old and could would happen again. Nothing I know of uses these are probably also a funky type of plumbing threads that really seal. Used in even gas/fuel tanks vehicle or other even metal storage tanks once to let water out. NBD most would just use a pipe wrench on them so this is what happens.
I'm not there scoping out exact issue but might try drilling a hole through the old plug and thread in a smaller one tap and us a brass plug still available and choice of square or hex just smaller I'm pretty sure that this one,
Tom
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