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Rounded Off The Trans Pan Drain Plug

jbeall

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jbeall Enthusiast

jbeall

Posted
Posted

Hi All,

 

I rounded off the drain plug on my transmission pan drain plug (2003 Yukon XL).

 

I've heard this is not an uncommon problem--apparently they overtighten them at the factory and then when you try to get them off, the bolt just rounds off? Well, whether it's true or not, both I and a friend of mine had the same experience, so we now need to use a bolt extractor to get it out of the pan.

 

I'm wondering if any others here have had experience with getting a frozen (and rounded off) transmission drain plug out, and if so, what extractor kit have you had the most success with? I see in the Tech wiki that we had someone who used a Craftsman kit for this, but I wasn't sure what particular kit he used. Sounds like it might be something like this?

http://www.brandsplace.com/0246-lt-4501.html

 

-Josh

okc666 Enthusiast

okc666

Posted
Posted

hey josh,

ive had this same problem before. i slid underneath it with my mig torch and tacked an old china made wrench to the plug. just un-threaded it from there, and replaced the plug.

Nytemare Senior Enthusiast

Nytemare

Posted
Posted

yup welding a wrench, or new nut on the old one is pretty much the easiest way.

 

A pair of needle nose vice grips may also do the trick.

 

For the most part extractors are extractors, use the middle size one so you can make a bigger hole if it strips out...and for the love of god don't brake the extractor off. They're not easy to drill.

 

I have a very good set of Snap-On extractors, you drill a hole and hammer them in, and its almost impossible to break them off...but the cost me like $175.

jbeall Enthusiast

jbeall

Posted
  • Author
Posted
yup welding a wrench, or new nut on the old one is pretty much the easiest way.

 

A pair of needle nose vice grips may also do the trick.

 

For the most part extractors are extractors, use the middle size one so you can make a bigger hole if it strips out...and for the love of god don't brake the extractor off. They're not easy to drill.

 

I have a very good set of Snap-On extractors, you drill a hole and hammer them in, and its almost impossible to break them off...but the cost me like $175.

 

Welding isn't an option for me since I don't have a welder (of any type). I guess I'll go with an extractor.

Nytemare Senior Enthusiast

Nytemare

Posted
Posted
yup welding a wrench, or new nut on the old one is pretty much the easiest way.

 

A pair of needle nose vice grips may also do the trick.

 

For the most part extractors are extractors, use the middle size one so you can make a bigger hole if it strips out...and for the love of god don't brake the extractor off. They're not easy to drill.

 

I have a very good set of Snap-On extractors, you drill a hole and hammer them in, and its almost impossible to break them off...but the cost me like $175.

 

Welding isn't an option for me since I don't have a welder (of any type). I guess I'll go with an extractor.

 

 

oh another thing I have seen done.... if its accessible....is to file two flat spots on the old drain plug and use vice-grips or something similar.

jbeall Enthusiast

jbeall

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I'll start with the vice grips and go from there, and I'll report back how it goes getting the bolt out.

 

My friend has decided that he's just going to leave the drain bolt in place and drop the pan whenever he needs to get at the filter. If I have a terrible time getting the bolt out I may wind up going the same way :-) Hopefully not, though.

Nytemare Senior Enthusiast

Nytemare

Posted
Posted

If he takes the pan off he can just bring it to a shop and get it removed than....and you could do the same....Just not at the same time so each of you have a ride to the shop :(:freak:

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