Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

tried removing the fill plug in the rear axle..37.
the square head type..four point. must be stuck or perhaps old grease binding in threads. tried penetrating oil to see if maybe it would seep in...NOT... prob too tight.

in process ended up rounding the four points. any suggestions..too tight to get vice grips in there.

what about touching it and then throwing cold water on it.

try a BIG pipe wrench. Is the plug made out of brass????

tried ...but too close to flanges to get it in there. No it looks like steel..no golden color like brass

maybe a small pair of vice grips would give enough bite witout )(*&)(& it up more

I'd try a little heat on it before you screw it up too much, and then have to drill it out.

Turbo...you're such a 'harbinger' of good news...LOLOL
by the time im finished doing all this maintenace to this ole gal..she'll be ready for the Indy 500. Getting a head gasket next week

I figured it might as well be me to deliver the news, good or bad...

Eric's idea of heat sounds good to me. Some variations of those thread sealing compounds (Loctite but don't rem which version number is an example) are meant to NEVER come loose without heat.

Don't worry Sandy, if you screw it up too bad I have a complete '37 115C rear axle in my garage you can have cheap, it needs to get out of my way so I have room..

Sounds from your description that the filler plug is same one used for many years on the oil pan, transmission & differential of the senior cars. Large diameter (more than 1 inch?), raised square lug for 3/4 wrench, and copper ring gasket?

If so and if you ruin it getting it off, you can get a newly manufactured one from Byron York (York Restorations) in CT.

Sounds like an ordinary pipe plug to me. Here is a trick for removing them.

They are usually sized to match a 3/8 drive or 1/2 drive socket. So take a 12 point socket and drive it onto the plug BACKWARD. Then stick your ratchet or breaker bar into the socket.

This gives enough purchase to remove the most stubborn pipe plug especially if you heat it red first.

When you replace the plug put a wrapping of teflon plumber's tape on it. Then you don't have to reef it down till hell won't have it to stop leaks.