BTR Diff Filler Plug - Nut Size?

[ChimpOnGas]

Hi all,

Can someone confirm the BTR diff filler plug nut size, I've used an adjustable spanner in the past but it's far from the ideal tool and the correct socket would make life a lot easier.

It looks like it may be 1"1/8?

But can someone confirm this before I buy the socket?



Thanks, Dave.

[Chimp871]

Mine took a 29mm spanner just fine, easier than a socket as it goes in between diff and chassis and you drops down so you have full leverage. Did mine 2 days ago, not sure how a socket can fit due to flange.

Plus gas it, wait 10 and tap.

For drain plug, plus gas wait 30 mins, blow torch 20 secs, 1/2" spanner /socket and tap.

I like plus gas as you can tell.,modern marvel.

[ChimpOnGas]

Thanks Chimp871.

1" 1/8 is more or less 29mm, out of interest did your 29mm spanner feel fractionally lose?

If so the true size will be 1" 1/8

I've changed my diff oil three times since owning the car and have always used an adjustable spanner in the past, and thinking about it I a combination spanner would definitely be a better option for access than a socket

To be honest I just want to move on from the clumsy adjustable spanner method so need to buy the right spanner, this must be missing from my tool collection or I wouldn't have resorted to the adjustable in the past

BTW the only way could get my drain plug out all those years ago was to weld a wheel nut on it, while it was sill nice and hot I freed the plug with a six sided socket on a long breaker bar...... even then it took some shifting

Thanks again, Dave.

Edited by ChimpOnGas on Wednesday 15th May 10:22

[Sardonicus]

Old school guy like you Dave may have a 1.1/8 " spanner in their possession or adjustable's will wind that out , its the drian plug thats a MF'er edited to say you beat me to it

[ChimpOnGas]

Sardonicus said:

Old school guy like you Dave may have a 1.1/8 " spanner in their possession or adjustable's will wind that out , its the drian plug thats a MF'er edited to say you beat me to it

I do have a decent selection of AF and a load of old Whitworth stuff Simon, but clearly no 1 1/8" or I wouldn't have been reaching for the adjustable the last three time I changed my diff oil

TBH I sold all my good tools when I decided to have a career change over 20 years ago, I swore I'd never lift a spanner again back then so just flogged the lot to a mate, he didn't want the Whitworth stuff for obvious reasons which is why it repesents 90% of my imperial kit.

A few years later I bought the TVR and immediately regretting selling the majority of my tools

[Chimp871]

Yes, it was fractionally loose, I probably was lucky it came loose with very little effort.

If you can get a flat head ring spanner in that size then even beyyer, the angle on the head on most ring spanners hasn't got the room to fit, so zero angle ring spanner is ideal.

[ChimpOnGas]

Chimp871 said:

Yes, it was fractionally loose, I probably was lucky it came loose with very little effort.

If you can get a flat head ring spanner in that size then even beyyer, the angle on the head on most ring spanners hasn't got the room to fit, so zero angle ring spanner is ideal.

Perfect, when I'm back at my laptop I'll post a link to the ideal tool.

Many thanks Chimp871

Dave.


Edit: Here's the link:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132456025611

Edited by ChimpOnGas on Wednesday 15th May 19:43

[phillpot]

My money's on 5/8 Whit - 11/16 BSF


Nobody wants them these days, picked this one (Britool) up for pence at a car boot sale

[ChimpOnGas]

Just to conclude......

As I suspected the filler nut is indeed 1.1/8" and sods law dictates it's one of the few larger AF spanner sizes I don't have which is why I created this post, I like to use the right tool for the job and while I've used my adjustable spanner in the past I simply wanted to add the correct spanner to my kit.

Access is from below but the gap available is tight against the main chassis rail so a fat adjustable can make the job a real pain, the correct 1.1/8" combination spanner is of course much slimmer making cracking the nut a breeze.

Obviously once loosened the nut can be easily wound out by hand although in my case I do need to remove my fuel cooler to gain access, re-tightening the filler nut once the diff oil is changed is now so much easier I have the correct slim 1.1/8" spanner, so I'm pleased I've invested in this £6.80 addition to my tool kit.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132456025611?ul_noapp=t...

Hope this helps others?

[Chimp871]

COG - good to hear l.

Out of interest is that spanner a flat head or angled?

[ChimpOnGas]

Chimp871 said:

COG - good to hear l.

Out of interest is that spanner a flat head or angled?

Like most combination spanners the ring end is slightly offset which is not ideal as there is no room for anything other that true parallel access due to the close proximity of the main chassis rail, don't get me wrong you can get the ring end on the nut but due to its offset angle it does not sit perfectly square to the face of the plug so you run the risk of slipping and rounding it's corners.

So I just used the the open end of the spanner which is perfectly parallel to the shank, there's plenty of fore/aft access to find a flat so the open end of the spanner worked perfectly, at the end of the day you just need to crack the filler plug as from here you can easily wind it out by hand.

Tightening was the same procedure in reverse, once tightened as far as I could go by hand the plug was pulled up tight again using the open end of the combination spanner with no issues finding a flat or clearance issues to snug it up fully. Way easier than my cumbersome and thicker bodied adjustable spanner, and of course unlike an adjustable it is a perfect fit on the filler plug flats too.

In summary it's definitely the tool for the job, and there's no substitute for using the right tool