Drain plug 3/8 +/-

[marhar]

I have a lawn tractor that has a 3/8" square drain plug (it is a little bigger than 3/8 I cannot put a 3/8 ext bar on it). It is a very tight spot to get a wrench on it. Now I take a 1/2" ext bar and put a wrench on the drive end to turn the plug. The 1/2 is a little "sloppy". Any ideas?

 

[prichard]

Is the square part male or female? If male you might be able to find a 12 point socket to fit. There are 8 point sockets made for those.

 

[marhar]

Is the square part male or female? If male you might be able to find a 12 point socket to fit. There are 8 point sockets made for those.

It is male.

 

[sea2summit]

Shim the wrench? Aluminum foil might do it?

 

[tomplum]

You didn't say what this is. 3/8" pipe size or head size? Possible that it is a 10 MM or 7/16" ? Evac it through the dipstick or drain via the filter are other possibilities.

 

[Rebeldad1]

i have seldom seen any square head that was a exact size. especially on a pipe plug which most drain plugs are.
if you have room to get a socket on it try metric as well. there should be some size that will grip it. same with wrenches. on both try 6 or 12 point.
also have used a large vice-grip and small pipe wrench.

 

[jthibodeau89]

Slightly larger than 3/8" is 10mm. (0.393" to be exact). 7/16" = 0.438"

 

[oldnslo]

most pipe plugs the square is also tapered a little which makes a standard open end wrench fit even worse. I have a 3/8" 8 point socket that is meant for square heads and works most of the time. Seems like some of the newer plugs are more of an oddball size that older ones.

 

[ruffdog]

Napa 10mm 4 point socket for $8. Maybe get one on ebay or amazon?

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHT...8t_HJNfrcwGJomLDIWgs-1641327223-0-gaNycGzNCKU

 

[dstig1]

Since it sounds like it is doable but not easy, the next time you get it out replace it with a hex plug.

 

[jaxs]

I reccomend you take a look at this thread //www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/rounded-off-drain-plug.393632/
and if you don't find what you are looking for come back here and we can see if anyone has ideas not already mentioned.

 

[IndyJay]

You didn't say what this is. 3/8" pipe size or head size? Possible that it is a 10 MM or 7/16" ? Evac it through the dipstick or drain via the filter are other possibilities.

Slightly larger than 3/8" is 10mm. (0.393" to be exact). 7/16" = 0.438"

I think he is trying to use the 1/2" (square) drive end, not the actual socket end.
I've done this before with square heads plugs, nuts.

 

[marhar]

I think he is trying to use the 1/2" (square) drive end, not the actual socket end.
I've done this before with square heads plugs, nuts.

Correct. It is a square 3/8 head and I am using the drive end of an extension not a socket.

 

[IndyJay]

Yes, I've done same with a socket where you can find the right 3/8 drive 12 point socket that will fit on a 3/8 drive ratchet.
The socket is less likely to round out than the plug.

Trying to recall where I have seen plugs with recessed square heads? Conduit plugs?

 

[Root Cause]

They make sockets for plugs- Of course, I found this after chewing one into oblivion so now I have a set.

 

[IndyJay]

They make sockets for plugs- Of course, I found this after chewing one into oblivion so now I have a set.

Looks like you got the last one...

 

[jaydee325]

If I did not already have a complete set of 8 point sockets, I might consider something like this:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gator-Grip...ric-3-8-in-Drive-6-point-Socket-Set/999949198

Don't know why they refer to it as 6 point as the description indicates it will work with all shapes as long as there is a flat.

 

[Root Cause]

I have a lot of tools but it just never occurred to me that I really needed one until I had one really seized up. I went to Lowes and nothing. Seemed odd that I never ran across them before but sure enough, I found a set and bought them. I paid a hefty price to replace that d*&^ vent tube coming out of an Onan generator. It was something I didn't know existed much less to open it and clean out the soot periodically.

 

[Root Cause]

If I did not already have a complete set of 8 point sockets, I might consider something like this:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gator-Grip...ric-3-8-in-Drive-6-point-Socket-Set/999949198

Don't know why they refer to it as 6 point as the description indicates it will work with all shapes as long as there is a flat.

They make a socket specifically for 3/8 and 1/2 inch square plugs. Just have to search for them.

 

[ruffdog]

Napa 10mm 4 point socket for $8. Maybe get one on ebay or amazon?

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHT...8t_HJNfrcwGJomLDIWgs-1641327223-0-gaNycGzNCKU

They make a socket specifically for 3/8 and 1/2 inch square plugs. Just have to search for them.

.....and 10mm ones.