Transfer Case drain and fill plug Washer alternative/replacement

[pa-fatboy]

Brett Burke from the “2019+ Ford Ranger Club USA” group on Facebook wrote the following in blue. I thought this would be interesting posted in here.

Ford is charging 16 dollars for this stupid washer, EACH. I bought 2 cause i needed them, a micrometer caliper tool and a 470 pack of mixed washers from Amazon to verify if something that is much cheaper will work. Tonight I can safely say that the Amazon kit with M18×24 washers will work.

Don't overpay for these, they do look a TAD thinner but not by much at all. Looks identical to me. Link below for the pack I bought. Your whalecum, excuse my ugly paws

Swpeet 470Pcs Automotive Metric Oil Drain Plug Gasket Aluminum Flat Washer Assortment Kit, Including 18 Different Sizes - M6 M8 M10 M12 M14 M16 M18 M22 M24

Amazon Link

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[Bsqrd]

So, did Ford change this to a plug like the diff in 2020? I seem to remember crawling under the truck and not seeing this kind of plug in my transfer case.

 

[Trigganometry]

Here’s a link for a review of crush washers this size. https://thatsnerdalicious.com/top-10-best-m18-crush-washer-reviews/

 

[Langwilliams]

Harley uses copper on their brake banjo bolts. I saw them on the list an saw them with a rubber ring inside the metal. Too many options!

 

[tmcolegr]

That's odd..

I just purchased these AB3Z-7482-A washers and paid less than half of that. Still too much $$$

 

[JohnnyO]

Wait a minute, so if I change the transfer case lube, something I like to do every 30,000 miles, I have to get a new washer? They're not reusable? The two Rangers and two Sport Tracs I had before just had a 3/8" drive plug in the transfer case and no washer.

 

[tmcolegr]

Wait a minute, so if I change the transfer case lube, something I like to do every 30,000 miles, I have to get a new washer? They're not reusable? The two Rangers and two Sport Tracs I had before just had a 3/8" drive plug in the transfer case and no washer.

That's the intent

 

[landiscarrier]

I changed both my differentials and transfer case fluids. Reused everything (except the fluids ha) and all is dry as a bone.

 

[Dgc333]

I have been reusing washers on drain plugs unless they are damaged for 50+ years, never an issue.

 

[tmcolegr]

I have been reusing washers on drain plugs unless they are damaged for 50+ years, never an issue.

and no one said you couldn't. I was merely posting the manufacturer's recommendation

Proceed as you see fit

 

[Langwilliams]

I assume the theory is they crush filling in all the imperfections an irregularities so since they won't be lined up the same again they have to be replaced. I reused some on my HD banjo bolts because the brake line kit didn't come with them. I figured if I had a leak I'd swap new ones in later. Never leaked.

 

[D Fresh]

I've never had a re-used crush washer leak.

Once a dealership left one off on one of our Subarus. It leaked all over, of course.

 

[Dgc333]

and no one said you couldn't. I was merely posting the manufacturer's recommendation

Proceed as you see fit

I would venture a guess that if you had this done at the dealership 95%+ of the time the tech doesn't replace them either unless they are damaged.

 

[Langwilliams]

I would venture a guess that if you had this done at the dealership 95%+ of the time the tech doesn't replace them either unless they are damaged.

But would they charge you for the part? There was a news report in Louisville where a toyota dealership had a tech doing oil changes not changing the filter on cars. I don't remember if it was all the cars he did or just certain models with hard to access filters.

 

[Trigganometry]

But would they charge you for the part? There was a news report in Louisville where a toyota dealership had a tech doing oil changes not changing the filter on cars. I don't remember if it was all the cars he did or just certain models with hard to access filters.

Reminds me of a mechanic my wife use to use. She needed normal work done on a Mercury Mountaineer V8 so went to an Amoco dealer. She had air filter, plugs and plug wires done. When she got home I asked her how much? My jaw dropped. I’m gonna see what wires they used. Pop the hood and what’s this? They’re the wires I put in 3 years ago! WTF!!! So went down to the shop myself and asked about it. I knew the manager so he said to give him a sec. Came back from the shop with everything that was to be replaced still boxed! The poor guy couldn’t apologize enough, said he just fired the mechanic for ripping off people and please give them another chance. Guess who got his home mechanic badge back lmao ?

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