Oil Plug do you prefer Ratchet or Box end wrench?

[The Shape]

You are probably right, but just feel better leting the dealer do it.

[PHXDEMON]

Originally Posted by Tamago

the amount of torque required to strip those M14 (or M12) threads would be in the neighborhood of 200lb/ft. i highly doubt that a person could exert that kind of force lying down under their car with a box end wrench.

torque wrench is overkill, just get the plug "tight"

I agree but you see stripped drain plugs all the time still. That's why I ALWAYS change my own oil.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by The Shape

I am doing all the service on our Yaris these days to save cash. I am just paranoid about stripping the oil plug. Which do you think is easier to control and less likely to strip a ratchet or box end?

There are two kinds of stripping. One is rounding off the corners of the bolt so your wrench/socket spins around and around when you try to tighten/loosen it. The other involves dammaging the threads so you cant tighten them to the proper torque.
If you get a Snap On socket/wrench they are specially made and wont strip the hex. Even if the corners of the fastner are rounded it will still tighten and loosen it perfectly. Its broached to fit the middle of the flats instead of the corners. They are expensive!
Should you round the corners of the bolt you can always buy another one! And you can use a Visegrip to remove the dammaged one so you can replace it.
As for stripping the threads just take your time and snug the bolt up by hand first. It should be possible to start the bolt by hand and tighten it up to the pan with your fingers. Then it requires on about a half turn or so with the wrench/socket to tighten it.
You just need to take your time and dont hurry and exercise a little care. Ive had cars for hundreds of thousands of miles and used the same drain bolt every time! (I did strip one once!) I prefer a wrench to a socket for changeing the oil. If you can find one get a 14mm Snap On wrench because they are specially made to not to strip the nut and even work on stripped ones!

[o89canucks]

Originally Posted by bronsin

There are two kinds of stripping. One is rounding off the corners of the bolt so your wrench/socket spins around and around when you try to tighten/loosen it. The other involves dammaging the threads so you cant tighten them to the proper torque.
If you get a Snap On socket/wrench they are specially made and wont strip the hex. Even if the corners of the fastner are rounded it will still tighten and loosen it perfectly. Its broached to fit the middle of the flats instead of the corners. They are expensive!
Should you round the corners of the bolt you can always buy another one! And you can use a Visegrip to remove the dammaged one so you can replace it.
As for stripping the threads just take your time and snug the bolt up by hand first. It should be possible to start the bolt by hand and tighten it up to the pan with your fingers. Then it requires on about a half turn or so with the wrench/socket to tighten it.
You just need to take your time and dont hurry and exercise a little care. Ive had cars for hundreds of thousands of miles and used the same drain bolt every time! (I did strip one once!) I prefer a wrench to a socket for changeing the oil. If you can find one get a 14mm Snap On wrench because they are specially made to not to strip the nut and even work on stripped ones!

the snap-on wrench type you are referring to is called a "flank drive" and yes, they do work very well.

[o89canucks]

Originally Posted by Tamago

the amount of torque required to strip those M14 (or M12) threads would be in the neighborhood of 200lb/ft. i highly doubt that a person could exert that kind of force lying down under their car with a box end wrench.

torque wrench is overkill, just get the plug "tight"

200ft/lbs?!?! I've stripped Dodge cummings drain plugs out at 50ft/lbs.

[YAR1S]

If you can get a hold of one of these it will make oil changes SOOOOOO much easier.... and NO drips! :D

[R2D2]

YAR1S,

I had heard good things obout the Sure Drain and ended up getting one off Amazon for under 8 bucks! I had seen them in parts stores for over 20 before. I like the low profile aspect of it! I had to cross it but I ended up figuring out the Yaris takes the model SD-3 (I hope).

Have you had one long and how did you find the quality?

TIA

R2