Couple years ago, I had the dealer rebuild the front diff on my truck, under a TSB. Week later, I found a cross-threaded lug (one wheel comes off to do the diff). Took it back, and they installed a damaged lug. [Had a local garage replace the stud.] Today I decided it was time to change the front diff oil.
Took an hour of swearing, but finally got the 10mm hex drive fill plug out--after hammering in the socket, the splines were fixed--best I can tell, the tool slipped and stripped when the fill was installed.
After at least an hour, I'm giving up on the drain. Same 10mm hex. No amount of heaving on a 2' breaker would move it. I got out my impact; no go after several minutes. Upon inspection, the splines of the on the drain are wallowing out. The hex drive bit is fine; I'm guessing it is a harder grade of steel than the drain bolt.
If I take it to the local shop, are they apt to just weld a bolt on, then wrench on it with a "real" impact? Maybe the heat of welding will bust loose the threads?
Do I run the risk of the aluminum diff housing cracking?
Grr...
Took an hour of swearing, but finally got the 10mm hex drive fill plug out--after hammering in the socket, the splines were fixed--best I can tell, the tool slipped and stripped when the fill was installed.
After at least an hour, I'm giving up on the drain. Same 10mm hex. No amount of heaving on a 2' breaker would move it. I got out my impact; no go after several minutes. Upon inspection, the splines of the on the drain are wallowing out. The hex drive bit is fine; I'm guessing it is a harder grade of steel than the drain bolt.
If I take it to the local shop, are they apt to just weld a bolt on, then wrench on it with a "real" impact? Maybe the heat of welding will bust loose the threads?
Do I run the risk of the aluminum diff housing cracking?
Grr...