Draining ERA differential

[DonC]

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.
Thanks,
DonC

[clayfoushee]

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.

[strictlypersonl]

A 1/2" square-drive (8 point) socket has always worked for me on both the filler and the drain.

[DonC]

Will chase one down and give it a try. All of my standard sockets are 12pt.
Thanks.
DonC

[clayfoushee]

Personl's talking about the drive not the socket. I tried that, and I guess my drain plug has been reamed out too much.

[Tim Brewer]

Try using a big easy-out.

[strictlypersonl]

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.

[DonC]

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

[Morris]

You need to know what size..... 5/8" or 3/4" or what ever......

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

Morris

[relaxinrob]

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"

[strictlypersonl]

Both the plugs on the difs that I've seen have 1/2" square male "protuberances" that require a 1/2" 8-point socket.

[clayfoushee]

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.

[rdorman]

Clay, mine is rounded off a bit to and a 8 point will no longer work. I find a pipe wrench works wonders.
Rick

[MidOHasp]

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.

[clayfoushee]

Damn Rick......that's a good idea.

[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

[rdorman]

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

[rdorman]

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

Rick

[clayfoushee]

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?

[strictlypersonl]

'Cause our subframe looks like this:



The drain plug is accessed through the large bottom hole.