Removing Rounded Drain Plugs (WAS: Re: Trans ? - '87 TQ)

[steveb@newkla.kla.com (Steven Buchholz)]

> If you have never replaced the fluid in the tranny/diff I'd recommend that 
> you put some penetrating oil on the plugs some time before getting started.
> 
> 	Too bad previous owners didn't heed your advice.
> 	I have a striped reat diff drain plug :-(
> 	Any good ideas on getting it out?

OOOOOOOOOOOH ... that's a tough one.  The reason I use the penetrating oil
is because I learned on other bolts that it is a good idea.  I still had a
bit of trouble becuase the threads welded together in one spot.  The only  
idea that I would have would be to attempt to create some type of groove 
that you could fit a LARGE screwdriver into.  Another possibility would be
to get a larger tool and force it into the hole, but I would imagine that 
this approach would tend to bind the threads.

I'll post this response to the net to see if anyone else has ideas ...

Steve Buchholz
s_buchho@kla.com
San Jose, CA (USA)