How do you remove the square head filler plug? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Chevyman680063 · 09-08-2012, 04:40 PM

I'm trying to remove the filler plug/bolt on the rearend to add some more fluid but the square head on it is giving me a hard time. I tried removing it with several different size sockets and pliers but that's just wanting to round off the plug. So does anyone have any suggestions how to remove it or is there a socket or adapter that will remove a square head? Thanks for the help.

Beetle · 09-08-2012, 04:43 PM

Take a 3/8 ratchet with a 3/8 extension to give you more room to move the ratchet and just put it in the plug. No socket needed.

midniteblues · 09-08-2012, 04:56 PM

If you have the innie plug the 3/8 square head of an extention should work
if you have the outie square plug try a correct size open end wrench if you cant get enough torque to break it free a cheater pipe over the rachet or wench allways worked for me

geezer#99 · 09-08-2012, 04:57 PM

Heat!! Small propane heaters will apply a little heat.
Or you could whack the head straight on with a hammer then put an open end wrench on it and turn it while hitting it with the hammer. The hammer helps jar it loose. Like a hammer wrench!!
Beetle's suggestion is for the style of plug that has a square hole in it.

Chevyman680063 · 09-08-2012, 04:58 PM

It's the outward square plug.

haysonj · 09-08-2012, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevyman680063

I'm trying to remove the filler plug/bolt on the rearend to add some more fluid but the square head on it is giving me a hard time. I tried removing it with several different size sockets and pliers but that's just wanting to round off the plug. So does anyone have any suggestions how to remove it or is there a socket or adapter that will remove a square head? Thanks for the help.

Go to Sears and buy the correct socket for a square head bolt and use an impact

AJII · 09-08-2012, 05:06 PM

Crescent wrench has always done the trick for me

Daddy'O · 09-08-2012, 05:09 PM

Make sure there is no debris in the square. If there is it will limit how far the 3/8 extension will fit and can cause the rounding you're describing. They do make a proper tool for the plug - it's called a pipe plug socket. Not real easy to find locally though. I've heard of guys welding a bolt to the plug for removal if it was really stuck or severely rounded off before. Hope you don't have to go to those measures.

Just read where you have the outy not the inny. Try an Oklahoma speed wrench (AKA Cresent or adjustable wrench). You could also try vise-grips too.

Good luck!

**leddzepp** · 09-08-2012, 05:09 PM

Spray it with some PB Blaster, liquid wrench, etc. Use a pair of vise grips instead of pliers. Good luck.

cdowns · 09-08-2012, 05:35 PM

alota of good sugestions// turn counterclockwise to loosen

turp mcspray · 09-08-2012, 10:52 PM

Use a 12 point socket, or a 12 point box end wrench, or an open end wrench/cresent wrench.

chevytruckluver · 09-08-2012, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turp mcspray

Use a 12 point socket, or a 12 point box end wrench, or an open end wrench/cresent wrench.

The proper socket for a square headed plug would be a 4 or 8 point socket, the 12 point tends to round off the corners, I have learned this lesson before...

when you get the old one out throw it as far as you can, then go get a internal hex headed plug that you can use an allen wrench to take out.
good luck

OldCreek · 09-09-2012, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

alota of good sugestions// turn counterclockwise to loosen

GuyO · 09-09-2012, 01:57 PM

Yep, spray with penetrating oil - leave overnight. Open end or Cresent and if really rusted and you have a good bite, use a cheater if not a little heat from a small propane or mapp torch. Don't chew up the head with pliers.

**Stocker** · 09-09-2012, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyO

Don't chew up the head with pliers.

If it's already boogered up and you still can't get it loose, try a pipe wrench. The more force you put on it, the tighter it will grip. And it's easy to slide a cheater pipe over the handle....

**fakerwade** · 09-09-2012, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevytruckluver

The proper socket for a square headed plug would be a 4 or 8 point socket, the 12 point tends to round off the corners, I have learned this lesson before...

when you get the old one out throw it as far as you can, then go get a internal hex headed plug that you can use an allen wrench to take out.
good luck

Ding, ding, ding!!! We have a winner!!! Eight point sockets are readily available.

09-08-2012, 04:40 PM	#1
Chevyman680063 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 850	How do you remove the square head filler plug? I'm trying to remove the filler plug/bolt on the rearend to add some more fluid but the square head on it is giving me a hard time. I tried removing it with several different size sockets and pliers but that's just wanting to round off the plug. So does anyone have any suggestions how to remove it or is there a socket or adapter that will remove a square head? Thanks for the help. __________________ 1963 Chevrolet C10 Short Step 1968 Chevrolet C10 Short Step

09-08-2012, 04:43 PM	#2
Beetle Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 725	Re: How do you remove the square head filler plug? Take a 3/8 ratchet with a 3/8 extension to give you more room to move the ratchet and just put it in the plug. No socket needed. __________________ Jason TEAM C10 HOT ROD POWER TOUR 689 Short Step 68 Step Trucks Sold: 70 GMC, 72 K5 Members met: Andy4639 GCncsuHD CSGAS zicc1835 hotrod farm truck Mingrao Bhelton brenthiggins

09-08-2012, 04:56 PM	#3
midniteblues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: strausstown pa Posts: 3,394	Re: How do you remove the square head filler plug? If you have the innie plug the 3/8 square head of an extention should work if you have the outie square plug try a correct size open end wrench if you cant get enough torque to break it free a cheater pipe over the rachet or wench allways worked for me __________________ 81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love. 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover.

09-08-2012, 04:57 PM	#4
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,731	Re: How do you remove the square head filler plug? Heat!! Small propane heaters will apply a little heat. Or you could whack the head straight on with a hammer then put an open end wrench on it and turn it while hitting it with the hammer. The hammer helps jar it loose. Like a hammer wrench!! Beetle's suggestion is for the style of plug that has a square hole in it.

09-08-2012, 04:58 PM	#5
Chevyman680063 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 850	Re: How do you remove the square head filler plug? It's the outward square plug. __________________ 1963 Chevrolet C10 Short Step 1968 Chevrolet C10 Short Step

09-08-2012, 05:06 PM	#7
AJII Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Guntown,MS Posts: 172	Re: How do you remove the square head filler plug? Crescent wrench has always done the trick for me __________________ 1985 K10 Under Severe Reconstructive Surgery 5.3/New Paint/New Interior/Yadda Yadda Yadda

09-08-2012, 05:09 PM	#8
Daddy'O Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Whitesboro, Texas Posts: 932	Re: How do you remove the square head filler plug? Make sure there is no debris in the square. If there is it will limit how far the 3/8 extension will fit and can cause the rounding you're describing. They do make a proper tool for the plug - it's called a pipe plug socket. Not real easy to find locally though. I've heard of guys welding a bolt to the plug for removal if it was really stuck or severely rounded off before. Hope you don't have to go to those measures. Just read where you have the outy not the inny. Try an Oklahoma speed wrench (AKA Cresent or adjustable wrench). You could also try vise-grips too. Good luck! __________________ Cheers - Wayne Our Shop Build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=620966 '55 Wagon Build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=689157 1971 Cheyenne Super Ochre/White LWB 350 Auto - my son's truck "Nancy" 1972 GMC K2500 Custom 4X4 Olive LWB 400 SB 4-speed -"Greenie" - Restoration to begin after the '55 Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

09-08-2012, 05:09 PM	#9
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,031	Re: How do you remove the square head filler plug? Spray it with some PB Blaster, liquid wrench, etc. Use a pair of vise grips instead of pliers. Good luck. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

09-08-2012, 05:35 PM	#10
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: How do you remove the square head filler plug? alota of good sugestions// turn counterclockwise to loosen __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

09-08-2012, 10:52 PM	#11
turp mcspray Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rapid City South Dakota Posts: 2,359	Re: How do you remove the square head filler plug? Use a 12 point socket, or a 12 point box end wrench, or an open end wrench/cresent wrench. __________________ Turp Mcspray New life for an old 2wd, farm blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=505987 My Blazer build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342299

09-09-2012, 01:57 PM	#14
GuyO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 343	Re: How do you remove the square head filler plug? Yep, spray with penetrating oil - leave overnight. Open end or Cresent and if really rusted and you have a good bite, use a cheater if not a little heat from a small propane or mapp torch. Don't chew up the head with pliers.



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