OT: Removing a stripped oil fill plug ??

C

Casey in Ky

Member

• Mar 18, 2009

• #1

The oil fill plug on the bottom of my disc mower is stripped(not the threads, but the hex head..it was in rough shape when I got it). I've got the new plug, but I'm debating about how to get the old one out. Any suggestions??

 

R

Richard G.

Well-known Member

• Mar 18, 2009

• #1

Take a side grinder and flatten 2 sides. Then put a wrench to it. Been there done that.
Richard

 

C

Christopher S.

Member

• Mar 18, 2009

• #1

You Could weld a nut, bolt to it and then put a wrench on it. Or you could weld a bar to it and use it as a wrench.

 

OP

OP

C

Casey in Ky

Member

• Mar 18, 2009

• #1

That's kinda what I was thinkin'...can't grind it as its flat, with an indented hex head. Only problem that weldin' might cause would be if the heat were to cause some issue with the gear bed in the mower or if I were to accidently weld off the hex head(it's only the size of quarter maybe??) and actually weld the plug to the frame...probably be something I'd do...

 

Pete in MD

Well-known Member

Location

Central Maryland

• Mar 18, 2009

• #1

Sounds like it normally takes an allen wrench to remove it. If that's the case, try putting the "short" leg of an allen wrench in the plug and weld the two together.

 

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Mar 18, 2009

• #1

alot of times pipe plugs do not tighten flush with the case. If this is the case take a small (the smallest one is about4-5 inchs long and get a bite on the part that protrudes and give it a try.. otherwise maybe a "good" set of irwin vise grips may do the job/ or irwin locking type water pump pliers. I have on occasion: if you can get a drill in the area; drill it through and use an easy out . Hope this helps. Jim

 

W

waltdavies

Member

• Mar 18, 2009

• #1

Go to sears and get the removal tools for removing stripped out plugs and screws you will use them again and again in your lifetime.
Walt
PS when I have need for a tool I always go get it and later on its there in the tool box waiting to be used.

 

3

37 chief

Well-known Member

• Mar 18, 2009

• #1

you might get a allen wrench the next size larger, or a metric. grind the flats until you have to pound it into the stripped hole. stan

 

M

MN Scott

Well-known Member

• Mar 18, 2009

• #1

Weld a heavy washer with a slightly smaller hole to the plug, wire welder works best, Then weld a nut to the washer. You can also obtain a left hand tap and bolt. Drill and tap the plug with left hand treads. Install the bolt with a nut welded to it to prevent it from turning in to far and turn the plug out, hopefully!

 

U

Uncle Ernie

Member

• Mar 19, 2009

• #1

Or use a dremel and a cutoff wheel to cut a slot in the plug you can get a large flat blade screwdriver into.

 

C

Cummins 1955

Member

• Mar 19, 2009

• #1

If it is on the bottom, put a hydraulic jack under the allen wrench or breaker bar with socket. Unthread jack at least a turn so it will screw down while turning the plug down. this should hold it it in tight enough to come out.

 

E

El Toro

Well-known Member

• Mar 19, 2009

• #1

Can you get a pipe wrench on it? Hal
PS: Needs to be turned CCW.

 

R

RodinNS

Well-known Member

• Mar 19, 2009

• #1

Simple. A good cold chisel and hammer. Hook a surface and pound in the direction of rotation.

If you can't get on it with a chisel, hammer a bolt head the size of the hex into the hole and weld it to the plug. Double nut the bolt and weld the nuts on, then turn the plug out.
But seriously, if it's the plug I'm thinking of, especially on a Kuhn bar, a chisel is quick and easy.

Rod

 

OP

OP

C

Casey in Ky

Member

• Mar 19, 2009

• #1

First, I appreciate all the replys...it shows what these boards are really good for.

It is the cutterbar fill plug on my old GMD 66 mower. I"ll try the chisel first, but I thought it might be to soft for that...at least it sure was soft when I tried to get it out...just rounded right out. If I can"t get the chisel to work then I"ll weld something to it to get it out, just wanted to make sure the heat wouldn"t hurt anything.

I really need to junk the old thing, just can"t afford a new one...

 

R

RodinNS

Well-known Member

• Mar 19, 2009

• #1

The chisel will work perfectly on that plug as long as the threads are not gauled...
I've done it, more than once.
Just don't do what I did and put the old plug back in....

Rod

 

OP

OP

C

Casey in Ky

Member

• Mar 19, 2009

• #1

As far as I know the threads are good. I debated last spring whether to use the plug one more time...well, let's just say I'd be way ahead if I had lost the debate on reusing the plug....

 

L

LenND

Well-known Member

• Mar 19, 2009

• #1

If none of these suggestions work you can always drill the plug out. Start with a smaller bit and work up in size. Be sure you keep it in the middle of the plug so the threads don't get ruined.

 

1

1936

Well-known Member

• Mar 19, 2009

• #1

My two cent clamp vice grips on the bolt head up and down not side ways and as you turn pull down on the vise grips. Never tried it. Could used a crescent wrench to turn the vise grips. That I have done. Have a retreading tool just made for all different sizes of oil plug threads sizes. Never used it either.

 

B

beard2452

New User

• Mar 19, 2009

• #1

irwin tools the makers of vise grips makes a damaged bolt remover.i got the broke bolts out of the manifold on my 620 you can buy them at oreillys part store for i think $22 they are well worth it