Stripped tranny drain plug
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Stage II
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: florida
Stripped tranny drain plug
Im new to the softail heritage having ridden and maintained a Road Glide for over ten years. I changed all my fluids this week and the tranny was a challenge since the drain plug is hidden between the rear shocks. The plug came out ok using a deep socket and extension but when I tried to reinstall it, it was a brutal lengthy experience as it kept trying to go in crooked. I finally got about 1/4turn on it and it is stuck. Im sure I stripped out a thread or two. Will a tap clean this up? Is there a secret to putting the plug back in (for future reference?). Will I have to drop the shocks to get access to the drain to retap the threads or does someone out there have a tip?
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 410
From: Puyallup, WA
You don’t say what year bike. My ‘06 tranny plug has both a hex head and Allen wrench. I use the Allen wrench, fits better than a socket between the shocks. Pull your plug, drain oil, clean up the hole and observe what the threads look like (mirror or camera). If the plug is only in there a 1/4 turn, you should be able to clean up any damage with a thread chaser or tap. Go slow use some thick grease on the tap, the grease will help hold any shavings on the tap.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,929
From: NorCal
I agree with BadTappets about just trying to clean up the first couple of threads with a greased tap. You can also hold a shop vac next to the hole when doing it to help "evacuate" any particles. I had a dealership strip mine when it was new on the first "free with purchase" oil change. I made them change out the transmission case under warranty. The trick is to get the bike up high enough on a jack to see what you're doing. Otherwise it's a mirror and flashlight trick.
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Stage II
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: florida
Thanks guys, it worked.
You dont say what year bike. My 06 tranny plug has both a hex head and Allen wrench. I use the Allen wrench, fits better than a socket between the shocks. Pull your plug, drain oil, clean up the hole and observe what the threads look like (mirror or camera). If the plug is only in there a 1/4 turn, you should be able to clean up any damage with a thread chaser or tap. Go slow use some thick grease on the tap, the grease will help hold any shavings on the tap.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 410
From: Puyallup, WA
I do not own a tap and die set, so I took it to my mechanic and asked him to clean out the first few threads and I am embarrassed to say it cost me more than a good tap and die set so my next question is do you have a recommendation for a good set? Is a 70 piece set large enough or do I need a larger set. I am just an amateur driveway mechanic but I came back to Harley from BMW because I like wrenching and polishing almost as much as riding (been doing all three for 50+ years.)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,528
Likes: 30,847
From: Pennsylvania
I do not own a tap and die set, so I took it to my mechanic and asked him to clean out the first few threads and I am embarrassed to say it cost me more than a good tap and die set so my next question is do you have a recommendation for a good set? Is a 70 piece set large enough or do I need a larger set. I am just an amateur driveway mechanic but I came back to Harley from BMW because I like wrenching and polishing almost as much as riding (been doing all three for 50+ years.)
That said you will most likely need a SAE tap & die set and a metric tap & die set to cover all the types of threads on modern day vehicles as they use both.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,929
From: NorCal
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 588
Likes: 199
From: Danbury Connecticut
First time I changed my tranny fluid I had a hard time getting the plug to go in smooth. I took it and cleaned the plug with a wire brush and wd40! I used the allen key to get it started and it went in nice and easy., I do this now every time I change out my fluid..... swifty
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: San Diego, CA
I have a thread chaser set... they are kind of like tap & dies, but not as aggressive. They are sized to clean out threads... not cut new ones... I have an old Craftsman kit, but it looks just like this one... I've seen this kit under various names...
Every time I remove a bolt on my Harley, I take the time to chase every bolt and every thread before reassembly... It works especially well with bolts/threads that use lock-tite....
Every time I remove a bolt on my Harley, I take the time to chase every bolt and every thread before reassembly... It works especially well with bolts/threads that use lock-tite....
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