I am trying to change the oil in the rear differential of my 1997 XJ6.
Should not be too challenging I hope.
However, the drain plug is accessed through a tight round hole and the plug itself is a square male stud about 14.5 or 15mm on the side.
I have difficulty locating a socket wrench to match that.

Apologies if this is a silly question but does this drain plug require a factory tool to be unscrewed? I checked several tool places (Grainger, O'reilli...) and no one has the socket.

Thanks in advance for answer or any help.

Axel,
McKinney, TX

 

Welcome to the forum Axel,

I've moved your question from General Tech Help to X300 forum. Members here with the same model will be able to help.

Please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST forum and post some info about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see. In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice about posting to the forum.

Graham

 

It is actually 1/2.. so you only need an 1/2 extension and a 1/2 ratchet to do the job.

 

I took a 1/2 inch extension and put the female end of the extension on the plug and turned the male end with a wrench. If I remember correctly.

 

I don't remember the exact size of that square stud but I remember an SAE socket was a better match and fit compared to any metric socket I tried. Like others have said, a 1/2" ratchet and extension makes the job a lot easier.

I've never tried the reverse extension method but if I remember correctly, that's how my dad has done it in the past with these cars

 

Scarecrow's method will normally work if the plug isn't too tight.

Ideally you should get some 8 point sockets available from lots of manufacturers. For example these

Craftsman 6pc 1 2 Drive 8PT Point SAE Box Star Square Laser Easy Read Socket Set | eBay

 

I just welded 2 old 1/2" drive sockets together. The square drives both face outward and the ends with the hex got welded to each other.

It is a 'double' square drive socket.

bob gauff

 

The belt tensioner rods use 1/4" male square "bolt heads" as well, which is odd. The only other place I see male square "bolt heads" are in plumbing and pipe fittings such as pipe plugs/cleanouts. So it is odd to see them on a car.

So with the Jag, I've been trying to find some "double" 1/4 and 1/2 female drives, but no luck.

.

 

Pipe fittings.

The drain and fill plugs ARE pipe fittings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bob gauff

 

Brake shoe adjuster tools also will fit belt tensioner adjusters (well, mine does).