Doe anyone happen to know what thread size is needed on a
differential drain plug replacement?

 

plums,

I don't know about the diff on an X308, but on the X300/XJ40 diffs the drain plug thread looks a lot like a standard pipe thread, so you might actually find a suitable plug in the cast iron pipe section of a home store, unless the thread is metric or some other standard. If your plug looks like a pipe thread, it might be worth just taking it to your local home stores and plumbing supply shops to see if they can match it up.

Cheers,

Don

 

It was specifically the X300 that I was looking at. The X308 has no drain plug.

I visited jaguarclassicparts.com after posting and found the part listed with
a thread size. They list it as 0.75 inch BSP. The fill plug is also listed as having
the same thread and fitment is listed as being compatible up to X308. So it
seems it's BSP.

The difference is the drain plug is magnetic and has a male 1/2 inch stub for
removal. Not too hard to find on UK and AU sites. Not so easy elsewhere.
Listed as NLA from Jaguar.

As a further hint, one method of removing the drain plug would be to use
a 1/2 square drive socket reversed over the plug and a hex bit in the socket
to turn it. If a socket won't fit, then a short 1/2 inch extension over the
plug and a socket at the end of the extension and turn the socket with
a hex bit.

ps. same problem as Scoobie on disassembly. got everything to loosen up
in preparation for full disassembly ... except for the inner fulcrum pins on
the lower wishbone. new are listed at 98 GBP.

++

 

Have you got a picture of this thing?

The problem is removing it? or finding a replacement?

What about these guys British Pipe Plugs they list a 3/4" BSP/T magnetic plug for $11.90 including shipping

 

Just for giggles, and since its 40C here at the moment, I drained the diff oil on the X300 last night, been on the to do list for ages, and the plug is 3/4 BSP.

Mine is a 3.2ltr (Big Block) and NO LSD, just a basic poverty pack. I seriously doubt the 4ltr etc are a different plug.

 

Removing it will probably be okay, although I haven't gotten that far yet.

It's just that it is looking rather nasty and shabby with accumulated rust.

That site must be using regional pricing. It is showing $5.95 base price plus $10.00 shipping.

I'll try a local hydraulic supply house.

 

Yep ... same drain plug for all diffs since at least Series 1 differentials.

Guess you were using the X300 for shade

 

plums,

Jaguarmerriamparts.com still shows the drain plug available for $11.05. I found that even when Jaguar U.K. lists a part as NLA, there is a good chance that some are still in inventory in the North America warehouse in New Jersey, so it would be worth giving Jaguar Merriam a call:

http://www.jaguarmerriamparts.com/pa...?siteid=215718


On our late XJ40 the projection on the drain plug is 1/2 inch square, so I just put the female end of a ratchet extension on the drain plug and use an adjustable wrench on the male end:

 

I'm not real big on adjustable wrenches.

And vice grips mar tools, which I'm also not big on.

But I have lots of hex bits

Thanks for the search at Merriam, but I'm looking for something with
a female drive.

 

The 'special-tool' I made for the 1/2" sq drive drain plugs is 2 CHEAP 1/2" drive sockets welded together with both SQUARE DRIVES on the OUTSIDE. You put one end on the drain plug and the other is used with a large socket wrench (or impact drive if you are brave).

bob gauff

 

No welder, no spare sockets hence the jury rig

Anyhoo ... if it is indeed 3/4 BSPT .... magnetic plugs are widely available with a 1/2 square female socket
as a standard Land Rover part number. An upgrade from the plastic drain plugs on the Disco II.
Fits most LR's.

TYB500120

$10 at Rovers North.

Will fit both fill and drain ports.

Probably cheaper down the street at the dealer counter once shipping is factored in.

 

Maybe you need better-quality adjustable wrenches?

Since I'm wrenching the socket extension, there's no risk of damaging the square projection on the drain plug, and I've never damaged a socket extension by this method. The drain plug should not be overly tight. If it is, someone has overtightened it.

Since the fill plug has the same thread as the drain plug, could you just buy another fill plug and install your own magnet, or transfer the magnet from your old drain plug to the new fill/drain plug?

 

Nah. Just have to do this job one time and then I can use the female socketed
drain plug.

An extra fill plug won't work as nice because the fill plug is not magnetised.
Just the drain plugs. Since LR has them, and they look to be good quality,
why not?

Of course, if it comes out and cleans up nice, then el cheapo here will
end up using the existing one and this whole thing morphs into a research
exercise.

Gotta love this though:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-quote-137183/

 

HAHAHA. You guessed it.

Now we got 41C and the aftermarth of that cyclone heading our way with thunderstorms and rain, so a TOP weekend on the way, whoopee.

Must remember to refill that diff, memory is not what it was.

 

During the last session at the storage locker on disassembling the diff
I caught myself more than once thinking in terms of computer code
when considering why the inner fulcrums were stuck fast.

Not good. Had to remind myself that it was a physical object
that could care less.

Back in uni I did the front brakes in the snow, finger tightened
the wheel nuts and figured I would warm up and torque them
later.

Six months later, took the car out for a Friday night on the
highway. Ended up walking off the highway to borrow a
breaker bar plus socket from a friendly mechanic to do the
wheel nuts.

So it's not entirely down to age

++