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  #1 (permalink)  
Old 12-12-2004, 08:47 AM
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Default Draining ERA differential

Does anyone have a trick, method or special tool for getting the drain plug out of the differential in the ERA custom rear end with outboard brakes.
Tried the 1/2" socket extension and can get the fill plug off no sweat but the drain plug head is slightly larger than the extension and refuses to budge.
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Old 12-12-2004, 09:21 AM
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I'll be interested in the answer. I've always wondered whether Jag had a special tool for this.

My problem is opposite. I can't get the drain plug tight enough to stop a very small leak with the diff oil is hot. It doesn't leak at all cold.
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Old 12-13-2004, 02:53 PM
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A 1/2" square-drive (8 point) socket has always worked for me on both the filler and the drain.
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Old 12-13-2004, 03:17 PM
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Will chase one down and give it a try. All of my standard sockets are 12pt.
Thanks.
DonC
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Old 12-13-2004, 03:26 PM
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Personl's talking about the drive not the socket. I tried that, and I guess my drain plug has been reamed out too much.
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Old 12-13-2004, 08:50 PM
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Try using a big easy-out.
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Old 12-14-2004, 04:03 AM
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I am talking about a socket that looks like this:



Go to McMaster Carr and do a search on 5545A32. You can get the same type of socket in almost all major brands, including Sears.
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Old 12-14-2004, 06:56 AM
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Bob:
Was pretty sure that's what you were talking about. I'll be doing some serious looking for one.
As always, thanks for the information.
DonC
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Old 12-14-2004, 07:08 AM
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You need to know what size..... 5/8" or 3/4" or what ever......

5/8" is what's on mine...

Morris
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Old 12-14-2004, 07:38 AM
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Clay,
Try a 13mm bolt head with two nuts double-nutted on the other end to use in the hole. 13mm is slightly larger than 1/2"
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Old 12-14-2004, 07:51 AM
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Both the plugs on the difs that I've seen have 1/2" square male "protuberances" that require a 1/2" 8-point socket.
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Old 12-14-2004, 09:13 AM
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Personl........brain fart on my part. I was thinking mine was a female plug, but it's not. Nonetheless it is rounded off and the 8pt. won't hold on either.
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Old 12-14-2004, 09:19 AM
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Clay, mine is rounded off a bit to and a 8 point will no longer work. I find a pipe wrench works wonders.
Rick
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Old 12-14-2004, 09:19 AM
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Go to a tractor supply store for 8-pt. sockets.

My XXX-piece Crafstman socket set came with about 6 of them. My dad (senile? ) always tries to use them when we're working on the Cobra. They are in the center of the tray and are shiny from non-use. I think they attract his attention. I ran a piece of tape across them...seems to have done the trick.

Lots of tractors have the square head bolts, which are best grasped with an 8-pointer.

If Sears doesn't have one (Auto Zone probably WON'T), go to a Tractor Supply Center or something.
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Old 12-14-2004, 10:08 AM
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Damn Rick......that's a good idea.
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Old 12-14-2004, 10:25 AM
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Just for information purposes, the ERA differential carrier puts the drain plug in a position that won't allow you to get to it with anything but a socket.
DonC
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Old 12-14-2004, 03:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by clayfoushee


Damn Rick......that's a good idea.
Thanks Clay. I am to damn lazy to go get another. I have used pipe wrenches on other rounded off bolts as well. They hold better than vise grips

Rick
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Old 12-14-2004, 03:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by DonC


Just for information purposes, the ERA differential carrier puts the drain plug in a position that won't allow you to get to it with anything but a socket.
DonC
That stinks! Be sure not to round that baby off. And they do round off pretty easily. Fortuniatly on our Uniques, you can get to them with any thing you please! But, yep, 1/2" 8 point is the 'correct' tool

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Old 12-14-2004, 03:59 PM
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Actually, it's not that easy if you have the reinforcing plate on the Jag "diffy box." You have to remove 8 bolts and then the plate to get a pipe wrench on it. There is a hole in the plate for a proper socket, if it's not rounded off.

I'm curious as to how the ERA could be so different, if the drain plug is on the bottom.

Pictures?
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Old 12-14-2004, 05:45 PM
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'Cause our subframe looks like this:



The drain plug is accessed through the large bottom hole.
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