I drained the trans fluid. I put the plug back in and now it won't tighten, nor come off. It just spins. What the hell happened and how do I get this off?

 

It sounds like the threads are striped I would get a new pan and plug , you mite be able to retap the threads and install a new plug . I think it would last longer if just replaced it .

 

Time to take the pan off. See this thread, especially the part about not overtightening the pan bolts.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/tra...n-drop-256925/

 

Jesus what a pain in the ***. Spent all day today trying to remove the bolt. Thanks for your help.

 

I hate mechanics who take power tools to delicate threads. This is why my bolt is stripped.

 

Now the ****ing pan won't come off. Its glued on there with RTV. Screw driver, hammer, not working. Whats next

 

It'll come off. Try to use a PLASTIC tool to get in between the pan and housing so you dont gouge the housing. I had this EXACT same problem about 2 months ago. Went ahead with a pan from the junkyard. Wasnt a horrible experience, just time consuming since I had to find which local JY had a cherokee with my same transmission, then make sure the pan wasnt demolished. Then take the time to remove that pan, go home and install it on mine. Blah blah blah....

If you need help with the actual process of changing pans, I can help you. Or see the thread that was mentioned up there...

 

Can you get a think knife under the bolt/plug head and then turn it? With the knife pushing out and the head turning they tend to come out.

 

Or you could use vise grip pliers and clamp them on to the plug then pull down and turn at the same time......

 

I can barely get a knife or screw driver under the flange of the bolt its so close to the stop of the pan. Even when I get it on there it jut keeps turning. If I use a torch will that work?

 

I cant see a torch doing much of anything unless it wasn't spinning at all. And a torch that would get hot enough to melt the plug out would certainly ruin the pan and possibly transmission internals.

I'd try to get some vise grips on there really tight and then pull down as you are loosening....

If that doesn't work, can you weld? You can spot weld something on the head of the plug to give you something larger to pull on and give you more leverage. Almost like a handle...

If that doesnt work, may be time to find an XJ at the junkyard to get another pan thats in good shape. Like I mentioned, its more time consuming that difficult.

And if your using a hard plastic tool, you can go to town on that pan trying to pry it off without messing up the trans housing. I'd avoid metal prying and hammering whenever necessary.

 

vise grips aren't working. Can I blow up the car now. What kind of plastic tool is strong enough to pry metal? The thing is caked on there with a red RTV

 

No, just no. You have a very nice, rust free Jeep.

Sometimes you just need to walk away for a day or 2.

 

You can carefully heat the pan around the edges on the bottom enough to soften the gasket material and it should loosen up. Don't try to separate the dipstick tube, but pull it out complete with the pan. It's secured on the block with a bolt.

 

No,no, no. Wrong idea. You use the plastic tool all the way around to break the grip of the RTV. You aren't trying to pry it off.

Try an installer's pry bar, like this.