I'm trying to do a few maintenance items on my truck, and running into a couple issues.

Is this what the drain plugs are supposed to look like? I don't have a socket nearly this large, does anyone know what size I would need to drain and fill the T-case?

[IMG][/IMG]

On my front axle, there is a plug that looks like this. Do I need a special wrench for this plug? What size wrench would I need? All the wrenches and sockets I have are 6-sided or metric, not square.

[IMG][/IMG]

Lastly, I unbolted the rear diff. cover, and I couldn't get the cover off. I pried with my hands, a hammer, and a tire iron, and the cover wouldn't budge. Is this a normal thing? the underside of the trucks looks like it was sprayed with some type of undercoating a long time ago, I wonder if that could be causing the cover to not move?

Any suggestiosn would be greatly appreciated!

 

A normal 12 or 6 point wrench or socket will work on the front diff

 

i believe a 3/4" open ended wrench will fit the plug on the front cover.

 

1/2 inch probably, maybe 9/16ths. Use the open end of a wrench for the front axle.

An adjustable wrench might work for the t-case, depends on how tight they are. Don't wanna round them off.....

 

Adjustable wrench for the front axles works great as well. Try wedging a putty knife around the rear axle and beat it in with a hammer to break the bead of RTV gasket and as for the transfer case... Never tackled that one!

 

A twelve-point would work OK on the square plug, but 8-points are even better. I love my 8-point 3/8 drive sockets.

If you don't have a socket big enough for the t-case plugs, you need more sockets. Don't know the size you need, but just measure across the flats and you'll have it.

The rear diff. cover will definitely come off. A putty knife might not quite be up to the task, but a very stiff one might work. Better still would be a very flat pry bar. I'll see if I can find a pic of the one I have for stuff like that.

***

Here it is - kind of a 'tweener - stronger than a putty knife, slimmer than most other prybars. It'd get your cover off no problem.





I have no idea what happened to the picture; looks like it was taken by Mr. Magoo.

 

Ok, so it looks like there are no actual problems, I just need to get the correct socket for the T-case, and I belive I have a wrench that will fit the front axle. As for the rear, I just need to eat my Wheaties this weekend when I take off that cover. Thank you for the help everyone, very much appreciated. I plan on doing the axles this weekend, and the transfer case and power steering fluids next weekend. I'll report back with my results.

This forum has never disappointed me, any time I have asked for help, I've always gotten more help than I expected.

 

The transfer case drain plugs are supposed to be large allen wrenches. Atleast on the 231 it is

 

i've seen both styles on the t-case. mine have 10mm allen wrench style plugs. some have big hex heads. the t-case uses about 1 quart of ATF+4. remove the FILL plug (upper) first to be sure it will come out ok. then and only then, remove the DRAIN plug (lower). when you reinstall, use some liquid teflon or rtv on the threads and don't over tighten them. just snug them up.

for those of you with the inside allen head plugs. the correct size is 10mm NOT 3/8inch. the 3/8 will strip it out.


on the rear dif cover - if its not too late - DON'T drive a thick screwdriver or prybar in between the cover and case. use the thin putty knife and patiently tap it around the perimeter of the cover. the putty knife will cut the RTV without bending the cover. a thick pry bar risks bending the cover or gouging the case.

 

On the front cover I had a little trouble to, best way I found was just a normal wrench horizontal with the diff. and smack it up with a hammer broke loose real easy. I think it was like 1/2". But it's a size most sets come with shouldn't need to buy anything.