The plug in the center of my zf has the head stripped, as in the corners rounded off. There is another plug that looks like it has never been removed. It is located forward and a little to the driver side. Can I drain it from there?
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I don't know if you can use the plug you discribed, but I do know that the original plugs do NOT screw all the way-in to flush, so there is enough protruding to grip with a large vise-grip pliers or small size pipe wrench. L. Butfoy can answer you first question, you should post it at 'ZF Questions'. Good-Luck with it! Marlin. Once you do get it out, there are three fixes: 1. Maybe? Purchase new ones from RBT. 2. Drill and tap the plug on a lathe for a 3/8" NPT plug. I did this to make adapters for a transaxle cooler. 3. I've seen where some people have welded a large hex-head bolt into the plugs' recess so they can use a standard wrench. Marlin.
MJ........ Although I dont have a ZF service manual, would it be possible for him to just remove the "service plate" with those 10/12mm.....forget which size bolts, to drain the fluid and also do the plug repair?
Thanks, I opened the other plug, and drained 98% of the dope. I could put my finger in the hole and tell it was just sliglty elevated from the main drain. I also used a socket designed for stripped heads, it was a great tool that held well, but I could not turn the plug even after using a little heat aroune the plug. I put so much force on it I felt that if it did break loose the threads were coming with it. In the end I got my fluid changed, but I still have a frozen plug. I like the idea of removing the plate where i can get this thing on the bench.
I take it you are talking about a Pantera ZF installation. Unless your ZF is out of your car the only way to drain the gear lube is with the plug on the bottom of the case that is located in the cover plate for the ring gear! The plug on the driver's side is the fill point and the HIGH mark point for the fill. Some ZFs have a fill plug on the top of the gear box toward the back area, but the full point is determined by the side plug.
Mike
Mike
Mike, There was a second drain plug on the bottom. It we slightly more foward and to the pass. side. I was able to remove this one and drain out about two quarts. I refilled to the level on the side, and mine actually has a dipstick, and the top plug in the rear for filling. I used Valvoline Synthetic 75-90. 3.5 ltr. It is a done deal.
It seems that your stock drainplug has been seized so long, a previous owner drilled/tapped a new plug location! The OEM plug is a metric thread, metric allen size internal-wrenching plug & can be stripped by using SAE allen wrenches. To remove the lower cover, the ZF will have to be removed, as the 2 long cross-bolts won't clear the rear subframe rails. And when you do this, there are several shims between the lower cover & the side plates; don't lose nor mix them up as they prevent an unwary owner from cracking the sideplates when re-tightening the long bolts. Sounds like a ring-gear-bolt inspection is also in order; stock ones often back out a little, then break off.
The big plan is to get everything working as is should. Then dissasemble most of the car. Send the zf to RBT and let him go through it, wire the ring gear. Probly needs a third gear sync.( pay a professinal). I will strip and paint everthing that is not plated or polished. Then I will have the Pantera of my dreams. Thank you all for ideas ind info.