STUMPED BY GEARBOX SUMP PLUG

Post by **sloopjohnrb** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 2:14 pm

Hello,
I own Gladys, 1962. 4 door, 948cc moggie.

Recently I decided to drain, clean and refill the gearbox.
When I came to the sump-plug I hit a problem, the thing is in so tight that it won't move.
I've tried:

Penetrating oil, WD40, Plusgas, oven cleaner and a special stuff used on rare occasions that guarntees to free up anything.
Spanners, ring spanners, sockets, heavy duty sockets, torsion bar and power drill and socket .
I'm running out of options.....

I've ordered a replacement gearbox sump plug just in case.

Has anyone had this problem and knows anything which will help remove the plug?
Although the gearbox has been filled over the car's lifetime, it looks like the gearbox has never been drained.

Best wishes

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 2:18 pm

Are you sure you are turning it correct direction - anticlockwise as you look at it from below. You could try a 'windy gun' - ie hammer action gun - or perhaps a set of Stillsons (which will ruin the old plug) and long pole extension - but be SURE you are turning it correct direction!

Post by **MarkyB** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:30 pm

be SURE you are turning it correct direction!

Then find a short length of scaffold tube and slip it over the handle of you ratchet. Use a 6 sided socket if you have one.
Have you got the filler plug out yet?
Sometimes these are extremely tight. You'd think it held the gearbox on the way some people tighten them up!.

Post by **sloopjohnrb** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:53 pm

Hi and thank you for your reply.

As to direction yes it is anti-clockwise I've used as I utilised the mechanics' tip of : "Try and tighten it, sometimes helps when trying to untighten".

I'll check out the suggestions you've kindly given.
best wishes

Post by **dalebrignall** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 8:29 pm

should come out easily it might be cross threaded

Post by **10852sm** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:34 pm

Try heating the plug and the surrounding area with a blow torch, this has always worked for me,on Morris Minors and more modern gearboxes. Its a tapered thread on a steel plug into an aluminium housing so they corroded together a bit.

Steve

Post by **HarryMango** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:53 pm

MarkyB wrote:Then find a short length of scaffold tube and slip it over the handle of you ratchet.

If you are having to use this much force you could easily damage ratchet -been there - done that

; best to use breaker bar with scaffold tube extension.

Rog

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:46 pm

You should never ever add a tube to a ratchet! It will break. T bar - or as above breaker bar will be ok.

Post by **MarkyB** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:40 am

DOH!
Better to use a breaker bar of course.
I'd make sure you can get the filler plug off first or it will be tricky (not impossible ) to refill the box.

Post by **dalebrignall** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:56 am

and the filler cap can be fiddaly to put back in i do from underneath the car with an open ended spanner now much easier,then using a socket and extension bar through the transmission tunnel.

Post by **simmitc** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 4:09 pm

If you ever do get the old one out, smear the threads of the new one with grease so that you don't have the problem in the future.