Help with Rounded Off Plastic Oil Switch

[cliftonbros89]

I'm confused?

In the first photo with the Snap-On crowsfoot it appears 6 sided? In another photo it appears rounded with 2 flats?

Which are you dealing with down in there?

BTW

We use the same type of switches in coolant level tanks but ours are 6 sided "Hex".

They are junky switches as we always seem to have issues with them!

All I can think of is to make your own crowsfoot by filing the 2 parallel flats and the 2 angled sides out of a piece of steel, then weld a socket on for your extension. Get a helper to twist it while you get your hand down in there to hold it tight to the switch.

I know it sounds like BS but what other option is there?

Short of tearing into it to get to it.

Duals are heavy especially if an 8400 is the big articulated machine!

BTW: Nice L in your avatar!

The first one is the old switch. The second one is a new one, made slightly different, that needs to be backed off about 1/4 of a turn and will not move.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Have you tried contacting JD and asking them for suggestions? They might have a trick or two to share.

Actually had a JD mechanic at the shop this week to do a diagnosis on a different tractor. He's one of the best in the area. I mentioned to him and he checked it out. He tried pretty much every technique I've already tried. He said he's had problems with a few before and had to just start with moving the duals out.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I'm working on a John Deere 8400. The hydraulic clean oil level switch went out. It's a major pain to get to. The end of the switch is also plastic and is only made to get a 5/8" crowfoot on it. Yes it has to be a crowfoot with about a 10" extension as there is very little clearance around the switch.

...If anyone declares any sort of brand bashing on the Snap On crowfoot not fitting properly, neither Craftsman or Gearwrench fit the problem either. This is one of those cases where it's the "fastener" and not the tool.

The brand bashing should be on John Deere for making the ****** plastic switch...

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well I picked up a basin wrench today. I'll hopefully be able to check out how well it will fit this week. Not sure how well the length of the handle will work. Also, not sure if there will be enough room for the t-handle. So just in case I picked up a few 3/8" extensions in case I need to modify the basin wrench a bit.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I think I would use a 15mm flare nut crowsfoot, buzz the inside end to round it, and if it didn't tap on reasonably easy, heat it and push.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well here an update! As I posted yesterday I'd purchased a basin wrench. So when I had a chance today in between a few other jobs I went to the shop and rolled under the tractor to get an idea on how well the basin wrench would fit in between everything and how well the length would work. Luckily with the flex on the end it was able to get on the end of the switch. Also, it was able to actually grip it.

However, as I assumed the actual length of the wrench wasn't quite long enough. Plus, the t-handle wasn't long enough to put enough torque on it, just as figured. Luckily I had thought to pick up the cheap set of 3/8" extensions. This evening I cut the round end off the basin wrench and the square male end off the 3" extension and welded them together.

Although it makes the wrench longer I didn't modify so much as to ruin it for its proper use.

Later this evening, I grabbed the basin wrench and my long handled ratchet and rolled back under. It took a bit to get everything in place...but IT WORKED! I'll admit I honestly had my doubts about this. But IT REALLY FREAKING WORKED! Thank you GJ! It took a few readjustments to continue to back it off as there wasn't a lot of room for everything to move, as stated before. So thank you to all who suggested the basin wrench, I honestly probably wouldn't have thought of it.

I saved a ton of time not having to undo other lines and by not having to slide out the duals on the rear end. I was not looking forward to that. Outside wheel wouldn't be too bad, but the inside wheel that also has a 500 pound weight attached to it...not so much fun.

GJ has saved the day again!

 

[sberry]

I was going to suggest the basin wrench but someone beat me to it but,,, I really like the idea of the extension welded to it, that's great.

 

[jam022316]

Your skills at making custom tools for the job is amazing! Great job with the innovative thinking. What a pain!

 

[cliftonbros89]

Your skills at making custom tools for the job is amazing! Great job with the innovative thinking. What a pain!

Well I can't exactly take all the credit. Like I said, I would've never thought of the basin wrench. As far as the sockets go, the basic concept of them is pretty common, what with all the types of sockets for sensors now days.


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