F-150 4WD

I'd try this in the following order:

1. Attempt to hold the plug out with some wire while you try and engage the thread.
2. If the threads are gone anyway, you may be able to just pry it out with a crow bar.
3. Have someone come over with a cutting torch and cut off the head, and re-thread to fit a new larger plug.

HTH.

Thanks TB. Good advice... and in order of expense/difficulty.

Assum> > Bought a well used '87. Need to remove and replace the drain plug in

I wouldn't. Just take the old plug to a parts house and ask them to find a bigger one. Then, get a tap and run some new threads. I'd really flush out that old fluid after that using ATF mixed with paint thinner then put in new synthetic fluid before I'd drive it.

HTH

there is no drain plug on the front (or rear for that matter) differential of an '87 ford.

HUH!?!?

Ya' know... I think he's right. I just crawled under it to take a close look. There's reason number 17-B to NOT trust anything the guy at Jiffy Lube tells you. So the question is... exactly how do you check for and replace the fluid?

Steve Barker wrote:

On Sun, 12 Nov 2006 15:59:51 -0800, russschell rearranged some electrons to form:

To replace it, remove the cover. All the fluid will dump out. To fill it, put fluid into the fill port until it's at the bottom of the port.

No cover on it. It's IFS, so the "chunk" loads into the axle carrier from the rear on the left front. There IS a fill plug, though, and you should be able to check the level (just below the fill hole) when the truck is sitting level.

Spdloader

OK... thanks again. The scenario is becoming a little clearer. I know now that I need to get it on some level ground, in good lighting, and take a really close look under there before I do much driving in it... and certainly not in 4WD!

Spdloader wrote:

wither its locked in to 4x4 or not, I do believe parts are turning.

Whitelightning

With transfer case and hubs disengaged, the front drive shaft, gear set and axels should not be spinning.

On Mon, 13 Nov 2006 01:00:02 +0000, Spdloader rearranged some electrons to form:

Ooops, just noticed OP was talking about the front diff, you're right.