I have always wondered about these check and drain plugs on most GM vehicles.
The transfer case itself is either magnesium or aluminum alloy, and the check and drain plugs are aluminum. Sometimes they come with a pipe thread tape on them (our stock has it pre-applied, although when I pull plugs I don't always see it on customer's vehicle).
Recently I got advised by the Boss that my ... 10ft/lbs-ish torque of the check plugs is insufficient and the plug should be farther in. This causes me great concern considering the metal composition of both. I did a quick search and apparently the threads are tapered -- is this true?
Apparently the torque is about 20ft/lbs tops, but I'm extremely nervous about that. Should I strip out the threads on either, I'd get a warranty for sure, and that's not good at all because then the xfer case has to be dropped and split. Nasty repair bill for sure.
Anybody have any information on this subject? How far in are the plugs supposed to go in? I usually leave about 6mm (1/4 inch) of thread visible and as long as it's just a little snug, that's good enough as far as I'm concerned. Never seen one leaking and I don't think the fluid is under pressure. I do however, commonly see Toyota 24mm check/drain plugs rounded off (the contact surface is almost minimal).
Hex 10mm check plugs on other transfer cases (I'm thinking Dodge if I'm right, possibly Ford too) I don't put all the way in, either. I leave about 3mm sticking out past the outside surface of the transfer case.
The transfer case itself is either magnesium or aluminum alloy, and the check and drain plugs are aluminum. Sometimes they come with a pipe thread tape on them (our stock has it pre-applied, although when I pull plugs I don't always see it on customer's vehicle).
Recently I got advised by the Boss that my ... 10ft/lbs-ish torque of the check plugs is insufficient and the plug should be farther in. This causes me great concern considering the metal composition of both. I did a quick search and apparently the threads are tapered -- is this true?
Apparently the torque is about 20ft/lbs tops, but I'm extremely nervous about that. Should I strip out the threads on either, I'd get a warranty for sure, and that's not good at all because then the xfer case has to be dropped and split. Nasty repair bill for sure.
Anybody have any information on this subject? How far in are the plugs supposed to go in? I usually leave about 6mm (1/4 inch) of thread visible and as long as it's just a little snug, that's good enough as far as I'm concerned. Never seen one leaking and I don't think the fluid is under pressure. I do however, commonly see Toyota 24mm check/drain plugs rounded off (the contact surface is almost minimal).
Hex 10mm check plugs on other transfer cases (I'm thinking Dodge if I'm right, possibly Ford too) I don't put all the way in, either. I leave about 3mm sticking out past the outside surface of the transfer case.
