Drain plug 3/8 +/-

[jthibodeau89]

Correct. It is a square 3/8 head and I am using the drive end of an extension not a socket. View attachment 727991

Sounds like it is a 10mm male SQ plug. You need a 10mm 4pt socket.

 

[jaxs]

Pop some corn,throw out a football,bring on the monkeys and 1,979 posts to go.

 

[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?

I want to thank everyone for the good advice!

 

[Little Red Tractor]

Seems like some of the newer plugs are more of an oddball size that older ones.

Glad I'm not the only one who has experienced that. Seems like the odder the size, the worse the spot, as well.

 

[rfkulka]

Wouldn't a plain old cresent wrench work? Then replace the drain plug with a new one from an auto parts store with a compatible thread and a head compatible with your open end wrench or socket.

 

[tamarack]

I had the same problem and I had to measure the square with a micrometer which measured 9/32 inch. I ordered the socket from Amazon and works great! The link is for a complete set, but you should be able to get the exact item individually as I did. Good Luck!

Amazon.com: Grey Pneumatic (1211P 3/8" Drive 11-Piece Pipe Plug Socket Set : Tools & Home Improvement

Buy Grey Pneumatic (1211P 3/8" Drive 11-Piece Pipe Plug Socket Set: Drive Socket Sets - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[kluttzy]

Wouldn't a plain old cresent wrench work? Then replace the drain plug with a new one from an auto parts store with a compatible thread and a head compatible with your open end wrench or socket.

Agree. I was thinking of a small pipe wrench.

 

[IH2424]

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?

I had a similar problem on an old Allis B I was trying to restore. I ended up buying a small set of sockets designed to remove damaged fasteners. I don't remember exactly what they are called. Each socket has several flexible steel fingers inside. The idea is that you pick the one that fits the tightest and the fingers create enough pressure to the misshappened head that you can remove the fastener. It worked on the old plug on that 1948 tractor. Did not cost a lot.

Tim

 

[marhar]

Wouldn't a plain old cresent wrench work? Then replace the drain plug with a new one from an auto parts store with a compatible thread and a head compatible with your open end wrench or socket.

It is in a very tight spot. The engine sits on the frame and pug is at the bottom of the engine. Here is a picture of the engine. This reminds me of the thread about greasing a tractor....You have to wonder who designed this.

I am working at getting an extension for the plug for 2 reasons: access and less of an oil spill.

 

[BeezFun]

I think a 4pt socket is the best idea, but I sometimes find a vise grip crescent works if there's room: