Adk46

With the right tools and practiced technique, how long would it take to clear out the plug and get everything usable? If it could be done quickly, someone could service a whole bunch of cars at gatherings, earning money, beer, and/or good will. Include a new plug and re-plated tow-eye – with whatever threading that matches the re-worked female threads – and the crowd would go wild.

I'll even suggest a slogan for this enterprise: "I break for toe-eyes"

Jerry Feather

I measured as best as I can the female threads in one of my S4s and find that they appear to be just about the right size to account for the spec differences between the male and female threads. I think I'll order the taps that I have in mind and open up this project. I have to move some money around tomorrow, since these are kind of expensive; then it will be about mid January before I get the taps.

87landshark

toe/tow! Count me in. I want SO BAD not to be pulled over every 50 yards for not having a front plate on my car, (NYS,downstate-read-police state) that I would blow out the toe (it’s really tow) plug and put in the plate holder. Please guys, count me in. Whadddo I gotta do?

Jerry Feather

You will just need to wait and watch. I now plan to put together about 5 kits including the tap, a left twist drill to drill out the aluminum plug that is likely frozen in the hole and an easy out, then an extension and adapter to drive it or them with. You will likely need a drill motor that will run in reverse and something to drive the easy out and tap and extension with. We will see just how that all comes together. I plan to package the kits in a rigid wooden container that will fit snugly into a small flat rate box for mailing, and then into another one for return

I'll likely be posting here and responding to Rennlist Members who have the need, as time goes on. I hope that with 5 kits there wont be a need to maintain any kind of list, and I am not going to be inclined to do that unless really needed, then maybe I can get my Secretary to help out with that.

ThetaTau87

I would suggest a deposit equal to the cost of the kit that is refunded on return. This is a great community, but there's no getting around human nature. If you lend out expensive tools and the only skin the borrower has in the game is < $10 for shipping I don't think it will be too long before one, or all the kits have disappeared like the original. Most people aren't thieves, but they are forgetful and lazy, moreso when they don't have anything at stake.

This model of tool lending seems to work well for auto parts stores like Autozone. It would be more work since there would be 2 transactions instead of just one, but should ensure the kits don't go missing.

Borrower sends payment for shipping and deposit along with mailing address. When they send the kit back you send the deposit. This can be done with personal payments via PayPal to avoid fees or as a purchase with the deposit being refunded. Then fees would only be charged on the shipping portion of the payment that isn't refunded. I'm not sure if PayPal has a time limit on refunds, it could be a potential snag if they do. Using PayPal will also automatically keep a list of who has the kits in your history.

M. Requin

Given what these tools cost (at least the ones I priced) I think the deposit suggestion is a good one, whether it be for the total cost of the kit or a nominal charge large enough to make the return worth it, say 100 or so.

GeorgeM

Please count me in as well.

Thanks!

Jerry Feather

Thanks Guys for the support and suggestions. I'll wait and see how it all comes together before deciding on most of the lending dynamics.

I have ordered the taps, but don't expect them until about mid January. I have also ordered some 3/8 inch left twist drill bits and some #6 easy outs that will be in the kit to try to remove the frozen aluminum plugs. I am thinking of trying to find some 5/8 inch left twist drill bits that can be modified to a 3/8 inch shank for use in anyone's drill motor, because a review of JP's thread about the previous tap strongly suggests that the easy out will most likely not accomplish the necessary removal of the frozen plug, except perhaps the outer half of it which will likely twist off in the process. So far I can find only a bit that is about .600 in in diameter and that may not be large enough. 21/32 might be the best size, and that one is going to be hard to find and then probably only in right hand twist.

Now I am looking for the half inch drive extensions in about 5 or 6 inch length. Then I think I will cap it off (pardon the pun) with a 3/8 inch drive 12 point socket to use as an adapter to drive the half inch extension which is going to be needed since the extension will be used backwards. I think 3/8 inch drive should be hefty enough to get the job done.

(Edit): Now that I think about it I might even use a 3/8 inch drive extension and cap that off with a 12 point socket to fit the half inch tap drive end and use the extension in the conventional manner. Although I don't think it will make any difference, except perhaps in finding the correct socket to fit snuggly in either situation.

Imo000

Don't use an easy out unless you want a headache. Find another way like a hammer driver.
As for the tap, modifying an existing tow hook to act as a thread chaser will be a lot easier and cheaper than to have a one off tap manufactured. Sharpen the end to a point and then make 3 longitudinal cuts to look like a tap. This will keep the tool clean during use.

SeanR

Jerry, what do you think a kit would run, not for lending, but to have in my tool kit for my own use?

kmascotto

I would be interested.

I am going to remove the front bumper this winter for a repaint and then ....try to remove the tow plug...which will likely lead to the need for this tool.

Jerry Feather

Interesting idea, Sean. It occurs to me that you probably have just about everything in your tool kit now except perhaps a large bit to drill out most of the aluminum plug, and the tap, of course. I think a Silver and Deming bit of 5/8 inch or maybe even 11/16 that you can drive in a half inch chuck on your drill motor might be sufficient to remove the plug, when necessary, and you can probably buy one yourself out of any machine tool catalog. The taps are around a hundred dollars each, a little more individually and a little less in a batch of 5 or more, plus shipping from Poland, and I don't have that number yet. I could change my order and add one for you if you would like.

Wisconsin Joe

^This. Big time. Without some sort of penalty hanging over their head, sooner or later (and not a whole lot later) all the kits would disappear.

One possibility, for those of us that are "kinda old" would be simply sending two checks (yes, some of us still use paper checks). One covers the shipping, one is the deposit.
Jerry simply sits on the deposit check and when the kit comes back, tears it up.

Any chance of getting one of these for the older cars?

I have an 85, and while I haven't checked, I highly doubt that it isn't all goobered up.

M. Requin

Wow- that's a lot less than the $293US I was quoted for a single tap! Good sleuthing.

Jerry Feather

Google is your friend, once in a while.