Rounded off transmission drain plug bolt

Discussion in 'General Chevy & GM Tech Questions' started by jbeall, Oct 14, 2009.

  1. jbeall

    jbeall Rockstar 100 Posts

    Hi All,

    I rounded off the drain plug on my transmission pan drain plug (2003 Yukon XL).

    I've heard this is not an uncommon problem--apparently they overtighten them at the factory and then when you try to get them off, the bolt just rounds off? Well, whether it's true or not, both I and a friend of mine had the same experience, so we now need to use a bolt extractor to get it out of the pan.

    I'm wondering if any others here have had experience with getting a frozen (and rounded off) transmission drain plug out, and if so, what extractor kit/method have you had the most success with?

  2. Jimmiee

    Jimmiee Epic Member 5+ Years 1000 Posts


    the easy way to do this is to pull the pan. The plug will come out on the bench with a little heat and some vice grips. If not it's a good excuse to buy a deep pan. <G>
  3. jbeall

    jbeall Rockstar 100 Posts

    Wouldn't heat cause the bolt to lock up even more as the bolt would expand and tighten up against the threads?

    I thought that was essentially what caused pistons to freeze up--they get too hot (usually due to lack of lubrication), they expand, and then lock up inside the cylinder.

    I already have a deep pan, for whatever that's worth :) I see from gm parts club that a new pan will cost me about $60 plus shipping. I've toyed with the idea of just getting a new pan along with a replacement drain plug in case I totally destroy the old pan and drain plug when I take it off and try to get the plug out.
  4. Jimmiee

    Jimmiee Epic Member 5+ Years 1000 Posts

    Heat will melt the thread sealer and washer letting the plug free.
  5. jbeall

    jbeall Rockstar 100 Posts

    Ah, ok.

    By the way, what's the advantage of the deep pan over the shallow pan? The only thing I know is that my filters cost more since I have the deep pan :)
  6. Jimmiee

    Jimmiee Epic Member 5+ Years 1000 Posts

    The extra fluid actually cools the transmission better and with a 4X4 the deep pan allows the filter to stay submerged during side-hill operation.

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