Oil fill plug

[krash]

OK, ready for my first oil change. I read all the threads on recommended oil and filters, well a few dozen anyway. And yes I will clean the oil screen. But my problem is how do I remove the oil fill plug without messing up the nice chrome finish. Is there a special tool for this? What do you all use?

[claybuster]

I use a piece of aluminum, a flat bar 1/8" thick. You can buy a small length at Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace Hardware or True Value Hardware. The piece I have was 1" wide and that is a little to wide to fit all the way into the slot so I just used my hack saw and cut the bottom about 7/8" wide and 1/4 " back so it would bottom out in the slot on the oil fill cap. You only need the piece a couple inches long. I put it in the slot and use a small adjustable wrench on the piece of aluminum to loosen and tighten the oil fill cap. It works great and doesn't ding up the cap. Don't use any kind of steel tool or screwdriver to open it because it will ding the chrome and dent the cap. BTW the cap is also aluminum that's chromed and a new cap cost about $32 from the dealer if you need to replace it. Don't forget to file all sharp edges where it makes contact with the oil cap.
BTW, I just changed the oil and filter and the gear oil in the rear end this afternoon on my 07 Nomad. Use the same homemade aluminum piece to remove and tighten the fill plug on the rear end differential when changing the gear oil. Don't overtighen either fill cap. Both have O-ring seals and the aluminum caps bottom out against the aluminum case in both locations. Just snug them.

[hammer]

I used a longish bolt and put a large stainless washer on the end with 1 nut front and back to lock it. Find the right sized washer to fit the groove, no problem. Special tool number 001 for your tool box and no cutting required.

[ndbigfish]

I have a couple of large, flat washers. The outside diameter is 1.75"×.130" thick (1 3/4"×1/8"). I keep one in my windshield bag and one in my tool box. If the plug is tight, then a screwdriver can be inserted through the washer for extra leverage. The washers will fit the final drive plug and the crankcase.

[ringadingh]

I made a tool from a flatwasher and a peice of 1/2" rod.

[hammer]

I love both ideas. I will drop a spare washer in the toolkit now, thanks ndbigfish. Ringadingh that's got to get extra points for elegant AND dangerous looking.

[cactusjack]

I have a tool that Chuckster made me out of aluminum. One side fits the groove in the cap, the other side you use an adjustable end wrench to remove/tighten the plug.

[garyo4]

I use a flat washer as stated above, but ndbigfish has a great point. I'll get a second one to keep with the bike in case I need to add oil some time that I'm not close to home.

[MAS Tequila]

Keep it simple, I've changed my oil many many times over the last 7 years. Never damaged the fill plug.

The slot is wide enough (on my 03 1500 anyway) that I take a flat blade screwdriver and lay it down in the slot and voila it turns.

I've also used a coin when on the road.

There is no need to 'torque' it down extremely tight.

MT

[krash]

Originally Posted by ndbigfish

I have a couple of large, flat washers. The outside diameter is 1.75"×.130" thick (1 3/4"×1/8"). I keep one in my windshield bag and one in my tool box. If the plug is tight, then a screwdriver can be inserted through the washer for extra leverage. The washers will fit the final drive plug and the crankcase.

Keep it simple. I like that, looks like a quick trip to the local hardware store.
By the way I did find this on Ebay last night, looks like it would work.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

[krash]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I have a tool that Chuckster made me out of aluminum. One side fits the groove in the cap, the other side you use an adjustable end wrench to remove/tighten the plug.

This should be in every Nomad tool kit. Does Chuckster offer this for sale? I didn't see it on his web sight.

[recumbentbob]

I use a Quarter and a small adjustable wrench to turn it with.

[cnc]

Originally Posted by recumbentbob

I use a Quarter and a small adjustable wrench to turn it with.

Same sort of idea here, except I use a Canadian $1 or $2 coin as they are pretty much a perfect fit.

[Todd]

I put a thick terrycloth towel over the cap, then insert a regular large flathead screwdriver into the slot and let the towel be the buffer...like others have said..it does not need to be tightened to the extreme.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Krash

This should be in every Nomad tool kit. Does Chuckster offer this for sale? I didn't see it on his web sight.

No, I think it was something he was considering producing and he sent me one to try out. I guess they never went into production.