Soft plastic blind plug removal

[bucktail]

I have an L1500DT that's getting a new top link bracket. The bracket that came with it was mounted in the lowest position possible. The replacement bracket will be using the top holes which were "protected" with blind plastic plugs. Being several decades old and of 70's polymer technology, the plugs are about the consistency of stiff chewing gum, but not as sticky. The holes themselves are pretty rusted up.

My plan is to shoot some penetrating oil into the holes to soften up the remaining plastic for easier removal, then buy a top to chase the threads. Anyone have a better idea?

 

[Tooljunkie]

I would either melt them out or crank a drill bit in by hand to get most of it out. Then chase threads with a tap.

 

[Daren Todd]

I usually just jam a screw driver through them and spin them out if they are stubborn.

Sometimes I've been able to pinch them with some needle nose pliers and pull them out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[D2Cat]

You can often get a screwdriver under the lip and they come right out. After that, just use whatever you think will work to get them out.

I would not purchase a tap just for that use. Why not use a bolt with some oil on it? If the threads are really rusty you can cut a slot at the end of the bolt and make a tap much cheaper, but I can't imagine you'd have much trouble with dirt or rust in there, unless you've been in a rice paddy!

 

[kubotasam]

If you do buy a tap make sure it is a bottoming tap made for blind holes. A standard taper tap will not clear the threads at the bottom of the hole.

 

[bucktail]

I was trying to figure out how to get to the bottom. I didn't know that they made taps for blind holes. I'll probably just slot a bolt though. I hate to use anti seize on a blind hole, but as rusted up as it is I might.

 

[bucktail]

I hit them with penetrating oil and they came out pretty easy. The outside of the plugs were nearly dust, so they pretty much fell off when I tried to get them out. UV degradation, reaction from the paint that the PO used, I don't know, but the insides were in better shape, just a little gummy. With a little help from a small screwdriver, they came out in one piece for the most part.