Anyone know how these plugs come out please

Ive noticed some oil that's been coming out from the rear prop shaft on my disco 2.
Ive been told its the prop shaft seal, which is apparently quite a easy fix.
Not being a mechanic, its going to be a garage job, but in the mean time, I was told to check the oil level in the rear prop shaft by taking the filler nut out.
When I looked, it seems to be a plastic nut which is all rounded off and the screw driver part in the centre is also knackered.
Does this nut / bolt just screw out? and can I use mole grips or something on it.
Also, although the oil isn't dripping excessively, are there any tell-tale- signs it maybe empty?
Cheers for any advice...

I think it's meant to take a 1/2 inch drive. need to dig the crud out a bit....

Thanks gymmaniac .
Is it a plastic pug tho because it seems to be really soft, I cant seem to get anything to grip onto it... When you say a 1/2 inch drive, is that a spanner or socket that fits in the middle (sorry for being a dumass non mechanic)

They just screw out. Ireplaced mine with brass ones - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rov...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

it just screws out - oil goes up to the level of the bolt.

ok, cool, thanks chaps. I'll have another go at it tomorrow and maybe use some mole grips on it as it seems to be completely rounded off.
Hopefully if it comes out, I can top it up ok then. Thanks again, much appreciated

Hi

See if u can get a 1/2 ratchet inside , better than using molegrips

As mentioned give it a good clean out first

Hope u get on ok

ok, cheers gstuart . It may just be gunked up like you and everyone said. I was just a bit wary of digging it out to much, but will give this a go now tomorrow. I'll let you know how I get on

Inkjets1 said:

ok, cool, thanks chaps. I'll have another go at it tomorrow and maybe use some mole grips on it as it seems to be completely rounded off.
Hopefully if it comes out, I can top it up ok then. Thanks again, much appreciated

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22mm socket with little chamfer on the inside of the socket , try hitting it first to shock it,at worst you need to chisel it off and pickle the thread out and fit a new plug like these as the original plastic are poor
https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/...YYdsQ1OaY649RziMuBZtNOZrQVfQaXyUzDaB&usqp=CAc

brianconwy said:

They just screw out. Ireplaced mine with brass ones - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-Discovery-2-Td5-V8-Brass-Diff-Filler-Plug-Kit/370897427550?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

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Another vote for the brass plugs.

I suggest you buy a pair of brass plugs before you remove the original plastic ones as they'll probably get destroyed undoing them.

NPG said:

I suggest you buy a pair of brass plugs before you remove the original plastic ones as they'll probably get destroyed undoing them.

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They also come out rather bizarrely, nothing like an ordinary plug. You try to turn it, it seems to be deforming but actually it is moving a bit. Keep giving it relatively gentle twists anticlockwise and with luck it'll come out, then top it up and shove a brass one in. Definitely get the brass ones before starting.

Thanks stanleysteamer, I think I will defo get a replacement plug before I make any more attempts to remove it.
You get those weird feelings that if you try... it will break, and then your end up cursing because you didn't get a replacement plug first

See if you can fit a thick washer into what looks like a screwdriver slot to stop it collapsing as you use your spanner/mole grips.
And another vote for the brass replacements!
Griff

Good idea Landmark2 .
I have the new plugs on order so will get this oil checked as soon as they arrive.... using everyones tips

Inkjets1 said:

Good idea Landmark2 .
I have the new plugs on order so will get this oil checked as soon as they arrive.... using everyones tips

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Another tip, if you're "tagging" someone in a post use the "@" symbol at the start of the username, they know you've tagged them, @Inkjets1 .

@gazebo thanks. I didn't know that. Hopefully this works ok now

The @ won't work if you spell their user name wrong ;-)

@Gazbo , it was the dam predictive text auto correcting it lol.... SOS matey

@Gazbo ….. well I have managed to get that dam plug out with a little help from a friend. It was totally mangled up and someone had used a screw driver on it several times by the look of it, when removing it before. The rubber seal had broke as well, although it looks like most of it was still there, just split. Had to use mole grips in the end. Glad I got a replacement one first.
Checked the oil and appeared bone dry Some residue on the inside of the casing but nothing on the end of your finger.
All filled up again now and booked in to have the prop seal done in a couple of weeks. My mechanic also said he will check the breather pipes as well, as these can block and cause the oil to be forced out passed the prop seal.
Hopefully, another job ticked off the list.... Cheers for your help and all the others who chipped in...