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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Back axle drain plug

I have to drain the diff because one half shaft is oozing oil onto the brake shoes so I want to put new oil seals and gasket on. HOWEVER I don't have a tool to undo the filler and drain plugs, I thought a 10mm Allen key would do the job but it's too big and an 8mm one is too small so I guess a 9mm one should be just right. HOWEVER 9mm allen keys seem to be unobtainable in my local hardware store.
What do I need??
Roger D

Hi,

I thought you can use a socket ratchet without a socket on it.
James Paul

Probably 3/8" (9.5mm)
David Billington

Yep. I use a short 3/8 drive breaker bar too. Like this one. It's not an exact fit, but it's done the job fine for decades.


anamnesis

As Roger has tried Allen keys I presume the standard plug has been changed for a hex socket plug as they are less prone to the tool camming out than taper square socket originals.
David Billington

What David says.

The other option is to just jack up one side of the car, therefore no need to drain the oil.
Dave O'Neill 2

Dave, because it has been leaking I need to see how much oil has been lost.
Roger D

Roger,
If you have bought a 10mm Allen key, I would just grind a tad off each face until I obtained a nice tight fit.

R.
richard b

Roger

You can modify the end of a 3/8 in male drive to fit the tapered hole, or buy something like: https://www.drapertools.com/product/07179/vehicle-drain-plug-wrench-225mm-8-size/
or this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/401605699331?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338364430&toolid=11000&_ul=UK&customid=Cj0KCQjwnrmlBhDHARIsADJ5b_mn0W9QP8ps5hFCju5iifFxSuyBeRhXlDrQjEAk0vkzRU49MM09S3MaAsMdEALw_wcB&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnrmlBhDHARIsADJ5b_mn0W9QP8ps5hFCju5iifFxSuyBeRhXlDrQjEAk0vkzRU49MM09S3MaAsMdEALw_wcB

If you can get out the original, you can buy replacement ones that use a standard 3/8 inch Allen (hex) key: https://www.angclassiccarparts.co.uk/home/mg-5580/mg-midget-austin-healey-sprite/drive-train-gearbox/differential-oil-drain-filler-plug-midget-sprite-5879

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

I bought one of these years ago, works great!
No clue what the official name is for this tool...?


A de Best

Arie

That’s a drain plug removal tool (and seems to be for classic Fords, BL and BLMC, BMC vehicles). You have a nice quality Gedore one, looks better than the Draper one, where does Roger find one in the EU and what would he ask for in various languages I wonder?

Cheers
Mike

M Wood

Thanks for all the suggestions, the multi tool from Ebay looks perfect but here in France they all come from the UK with £15-18 delivery charge!
I'll try grinding my 10mm Allen key.
Roger D

Roger

There might be classic car parts suppliers in France, Germany or the Netherlands for old Ford Escorts and MGs that would stock such a tool? Limora? Any MG or Austin Healey Clubs with members near you to borrow one from?

You could buy it from another EU country in Euro with perhaps OK shipping charges and local tax paid at purchase - for example from Mick’s Tools in Ireland who have the Draper drain plug wrench in stock (select price in Euro and country as France in drop down menus at the top): https://www.micksgarage.com/d/oil-sump-and-drain-plugs/products/524998/draper-oil-drain-plug They might also have other useful but potentially hard to locate in France items such as imperial feeler gauges that could go into a single order to make the most of the postage cost.

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

Mike,
typing "Gedore drain plug removal tool" gave a link to this seller in Holland.
Roughly € 35,- ish incl postcosts.
Lasts a lifetime especialy when keeping in mind how much we use this, once a year?
They may ship to france, why not?

https://www.toolmax.nl/gedore-carterplugsleutel.html?utm_source=adhouse7&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=%5B20181-47838%5D%5B12f40b9c-00aa-4d86-a019-75fe379969fd%5D
A de Best

Arie, that is a good spot and now we know what a drain plug removal tool is called in Dutch! Wonder what it is in German and French? On N American websites I have seen the Draper one referred to as a drain plug removal wrench.

Gedore is one of the quality tool brands I search out secondhand for spanners and sockets, including from tool shops that sell military surplus and eBay sellers - I did not know they were still in business making tools in Germany.

Found the official Gedore UK suppliers which is useful for when in need of something special, like an odd sized large socket or spanner for a tricky and critical job, and high quality so no rounded nuts or damage to me! (I see the UK stockist have the drain plug removal tool: https://www.gedoretools.co.uk/product/gedore-6464580-299-drain-plug-wrench/)

Hope all is well with you - what news and how is the car going? Any restoration or upgrades?

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

This thread was discussed between 11/07/2023 and 12/07/2023

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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