I am looking for a square bit socket to remove the fill plug on 88 GM 9.5" rear end. Tried using square drive on 3/8" ratchet, but a little too small.

Help!

That's because it's 1/2" :flipoff2: .


Use a 1/2" socket wrench itself, with no socket on it

1/2" seemed to big, but I'll go check.

Sorry. Way too big. :flipoff2: The 1/2" is almost as big as the entire plug.

Other ideas.

All I've ever used is a 3/8 ratchett

I tried the 3/8 ratchet to start, but the rounded end caused it to work out and it was not getting good bite. I talked to a buddy of mine and he said he took a 1/2 impact extension and ground it down to fit snug which gave it plenty of bite. It should not be that hard to get out as the torque spec is pretty low. But, it may not have been removed for a while by the previous owner.

Ive always used 3/8 drive ratchet never used any thing else. :grinpimp:

they sell em at sears

If it's this hard for you, simply go to an oil change place and see if they have anything to fit it. If so, find out exactly what that thing is...and GO BUY ONE




I still don't see why this would be all that hard to do :eek:

It's not that hard to do. Just wanted to make sure I did not screw things up. I think we have all used the wrong tool for something and caused much more heartache than ahd we just used the right tool. Now that I know everyone else uses a 3/8 ratchet, I will too.

get an 8 point socket set

The square is recessed. THe front is not and was no problem.

There is a special socket for those. I have a few different sizes from Snap-on in my tool box. Usually a 3/8 drive works but it does not fit properly, and every now and again you will find a fill plug locked in place. I have had to drill and extract ones that other people have screwed up (Oil Changers).

I have had to drill and extract ones that other people have screwed up (Oil Changers).

I think it would be easier to just weld a nut on, then use a socket.

Edit: I hope these other ones you have drilled and removed are friends rides, and not customer's rides. I'd be severly pissed if I found out a shop had run a drill bit into my housing. They'd be replacing all the bearings in that housing right away.

once you do get it out put an external pipe plug in there so all need is an adjustable wrench to get it off and dont have to over tighten the pipe plug they have a taper so it go's in so far and starts to expand a little.

but to get it out get the right adapter, its like the final drive plugs on all the cat excavators, dozers, TH's and back hoes they have 1/2 and 3/4 holes but they are sloppy so if your not using the special adapter it strips them out and then you have to use a air chesil to get them off, jason.

I'm assuming that is what is up front. and I'll see about getting one once I get it out. Any idea what size it is so I can get one before I take this one out. That way I have it here.

They make extractors for rounded out square drive fill plugs. They have four sides with small flutes on each corner to bite the plug. Sears might have them but If I remember right, the extractors I used were OTC. Any lube shop worth a damn should have a set.