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Arierep



Member Since: 12 Apr 2013
Location: Portugal
Posts: 258

Portugal 1995 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Alpine White
Best way to repair stripped transfer box drain plug
Hi all,

My transfer box (300tdi) has stripped drain plug threads. I noticed that while tightening the plug on the last oil change. It got tight enough to seal and stay in place, but I'll have to change the oil soon and need a solution.

First of all, I'm assuming the original thread is a M12x1.5mm, is that right?

So, I'm thinking about two ways to solve the problem:

A) cut new threads and fit an oversize M13x1.5 plug.
Have I enough aluminum to do this? The M13 plug has no magnet, is this bad?

B) Fit an helicoil or similar.
I'm not familiar with this system, will it seal the fluid?


I'm leaning for A), simply because I'm more experienced with taping threads.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance
Post #502234 8th Feb 2016 6:02pm
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Pilgrimmick



Member Since: 16 Nov 2015
Location: Highlands
Posts: 582

United Kingdom 
Helicoil should seal it, if not would a Rivnut work? 80" 1948
Lightweight V8
Bowler Tomcat
130 Station wagon
90 300tdi
(Santana PS10 pick up)
Range Rover L322 (Ful fat)
Post #502240 8th Feb 2016 6:24pm
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Arierep



Member Since: 12 Apr 2013
Location: Portugal
Posts: 258

Portugal 1995 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Alpine White
Can you confirm the thread is M12x1.5?

Thanks
Post #502353 8th Feb 2016 8:54pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7987

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
i would recut it to M13 Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #502434 8th Feb 2016 10:40pm
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Lambley



Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 90 Td5 HT Java Black
I've got a very similar problem on my transfer box, the head of the drain plug has come off, probably over tightened, it's not an issue at the moment because it's not leaking and the oil is fairly fresh, but it will need to come out and be swapped at some stage
Post #502442 8th Feb 2016 10:46pm
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Mo Murphy



Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2214

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 90 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel HT Auto Pennine Grey
There's no reason why you can't helicoil it to the original thread size and then use the correct drain bolt. It'll be stronger than the original thread cut in the cast aluminium. Do seach for 'Recoil' insert kits.
A non standard drain plug may cause problems with replacement in the future in any case, particularly an m13 which is not a common thread.
HTH
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.

50 Shades of Pennine Grey
Post #502474 9th Feb 2016 1:52am
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Mountain_man



Member Since: 09 Dec 2011
Location: Right side of Offas Dyke
Posts: 756

Wales 
I had this happen on a box (that I subsequently did not end up fitting). I think it is a strange size/pitch if I remember. Possibly imperial. I drilled it slightly larger and retapped it for a bigger bolt with no problem. However, make sure the bolt is only as long as the original since even a few mms longer will foul with the gear just above the hole (ask me how I know Smile )
Post #502517 9th Feb 2016 8:35am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17320

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Bearing in mind the origins of the box it could well be an older thread such as 3/8" BSPF. I think at one time the drain plugs tended to be 1/4 BSPT with square heads.

It would be safest if you measured the OD and pitch of the plug so that a positive thread ID can be made.
Post #502521 9th Feb 2016 8:47am
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
A Wurth Time Sert insert would be best in this application IMHO, we use them regularly at work and they are by far the easiest and strongest. Just about any M12 bolt with a suitable washer will then keep your oil where it's supposed to be.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-WURTH-M12-x-...RywJm1LcPA If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #502530 9th Feb 2016 9:13am
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Arierep



Member Since: 12 Apr 2013
Location: Portugal
Posts: 258

Portugal 1995 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Alpine White
Mo Murphy wrote:

A non standard drain plug may cause problems with replacement in the future in any case, particularly an m13 which is not a common thread.
HTH
Mo


You got me with that one.

I'll go the Helicoil route.
How about this one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301400071354?var...Track=true
Post #502826 9th Feb 2016 8:09pm
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Mo Murphy



Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2214

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 90 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel HT Auto Pennine Grey
That set looks like it has all you need. I'm not familiar with that particular make but I'm sure it'll do the job.

Take your time, drill and tap the old hole out squarely.

The kit should come with coils of varying length, it is very important to choose the best length that keeps both ends of the coil within the cut thread ie. shorter than the thickness of the transfer case.

Wind the coil in carefully, the tang goes in the slot on the tool and the tang end goes in first, it should screw in like a good fitting bolt. If it sticks or feels like it's cross threaded, don't force it, try to gently turn it back out. If it won't turn back out then use pliers to stretch it and uncoil it and it will come out albeit scrap. Run your tap through again gently to clear any burrs and try again. They are very sensitive to cross threading so be very careful when you start screwing.

When the coil is completely below the level of the surface remove the tool from the tang, turn it through 90° and give the tang a sharp tap to knock it off.
Now screw your bolt in 😊
HTH
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.

50 Shades of Pennine Grey
Post #502946 9th Feb 2016 11:05pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17320

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
blackwolf wrote:
Bearing in mind the origins of the box it could well be an older thread such as 3/8" BSPF. I think at one time the drain plugs tended to be 1/4 BSPT with square heads.

It would be safest if you measured the OD and pitch of the plug so that a positive thread ID can be made.


I see that in the thread you started on the same subject in 2013 Dave Ashcroft confirmed that the thread is M12 x 1.5mm pitch. If Dave says that's what it is, then that is what it is! Thumbs Up

One possibility muight be to take it up to M14 x 1.25 which is the thread used on many LR (and other manufacturers') sump plugs.

Don't forget to make sure that you get all the swarf (and the tang of the helicoil if you use one) out of the box afterwards.
Post #503021 10th Feb 2016 9:53am
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Arierep



Member Since: 12 Apr 2013
Location: Portugal
Posts: 258

Portugal 1995 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Alpine White
Thanks

Do you think compressed air through the filling hole will help to clean the swarf? Or Am I better opening the sump plate?
Post #503029 10th Feb 2016 10:26am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17320

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
I would remove the bottom plate, I think, that way you know that the inside is clean (and you can also inspect the inside gubbins of the box).
Post #503031 10th Feb 2016 10:30am
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Arierep



Member Since: 12 Apr 2013
Location: Portugal
Posts: 258

Portugal 1995 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Alpine White
I assume a new gasket will be needed
Post #503032 10th Feb 2016 10:31am
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