R380 drain and fill plug torque?

fumiyasu · Sep 4, 2022

Hi all,

Just change my transmission oil but a bit baffled by the torque specs. Both LR manual and Haynes lists the filler as 30nm and drain as 50nm but doesn't make a distinction on the hex bolt type drain plug or the 3/8 drive type.

My box has the torx 55 filler and 3/8 drive drain plug. 50nm seems reasonable for the bolt type plug with copper washer but seems very high to me on this the 3/8 drive type so I just did it the same as the TC spec which is 30nm with loctite and the filler just "tight" with loctite also. I thought given the oil level is just at the plug, it probably doesn't need to be that tight.

Does anyone know if there is a different torque spec for different plugs?

tottot · Sep 5, 2022

I have never bothered with torque settings for items like this. Have just put them tight with the right size [ length ] spanner / socket.

miktdish · Sep 5, 2022

I just 'nip' mine up with a socket. I didn't know there was a torque setting TBH
I don't put locktight on either ... no problems as yet.

I have come across some really tight ones, reading your post I wonder if it was because they were torqued up with added locktight .... ?

fumiyasu · Sep 5, 2022

Thanks both,

Agree with the "nip it up" on this is sort of stuff which is what I do/did but I usually go by the manual torque spec to guage if there was anything out of the ordinary on the bits I am doing. On engine, TC and so on they all made sense but this one just seem overly tight per spec.

I did just read a website just now that claims it should be 30nm on pre-loctited plugs and 50nm if using the copper washer on bolt type plug as it has to deform the washer to seal the hole. I think that makes more sense.

So maybe that tight one you mentioned is if someone did 50nm and loctite it.

I think what I will do it just replace the filler plug with a new plug which has the sealant pre-applied and just leave it at that.

fumiyasu · Sep 15, 2022

Just for future reference, on the Torx version of the filler plug, it appears the pre-applied sealant does make a difference to how deep you can screw it in. So it's worth getting a brand new plug. I have tried using the old plug after cleaning off the old sealant and it just goes in too deep. I didn't have this issue with any of the other plugs on the TC/diffs etc.

Also, it's definitely a 25-30nm torque on the Torx plug as opposed to the 50nm on the bolt type.

Brown · Sep 15, 2022

The filler plug can be quite a loose fit in its hole. I had one a few years ago that went in too far and fell down inside the gearbox. Eventually I had to take the gearbox out and take it apart to get it out. On reassembly I wrapped it in PTFE tape to give it a bit more bulk and a little more friction against the female threads. That gearbox was eventually exchanged for a reconditioned unit as it became very noisy. So it's someone else's problem now.

Twinnie · Feb 22, 2023

Are they joking making these plugs torx 55? I have two torx sets and both go up to 50? Who carries torx in their toolbox, never mind size 55?

The local DIY chain doesn’t even sell nails, now I’ve got to go searching round trying to find this random tool for one simple job, or wait three weeks for it to come through the mail.

Sorry, venting here.

Beneagles · Feb 22, 2023

Twinnie said:
Are they joking making these plugs torx 55? I have two torx sets and both go up to 50? Who carries torx in their toolbox, never mind size 55?

The local DIY chain doesn’t even sell nails, now I’ve got to go searching round trying to find this random tool for one simple job, or wait three weeks for it to come through the mail.

Sorry, venting here.

Please Sir...I do Sir...

This might interest you:
https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand...MIwuqCu-mp_QIV0t_tCh0oIAQLEAQYASABEgLhGvD_BwE

Scooby22 · Feb 22, 2023

50nm drain plug, 30nm fill plug.

R380 drain and fill plug torque?

fumiyasu

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miktdish

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fumiyasu

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