R3t - Stripped Bevel Box Drain Plug.

I was changing the fluids getting ready for the new season when the darn bevel box drain plug stripped. It came out OK but would just spin and never tighten up when reinstalling it. I always torque it to spec at 15nm and it never tightened at all. The funny thing is threads didn't come out with the drain plug. Those threads were clean.

Anyway, now I have to bet the plug out and I'll have to helicoil it. Has anyone had this happen and, if so, what Helicoil kit did you use. I can't determine the size of the original bolt until I get it out and that's going to be fun. I'll take off the left rear muffler and try to get outward pressure on it while turning it.

Any tips from someone who has had this problem before would be helpful and, as I said, if someone knows what Helicoil kit to order, that would be very helpful.

 

Thanks!
I may have an answer to my question so I thought I'd post it here in case someone else has this problem. I won't know if this is the case with my issue until tomorrow but I'll post this anyway because it may help someone else.

Here is the actual response by the person mentioned above.

"That scenario happened to me. I too thought the hole threads were stripped. When I got the broken part of the bolt out ( Just spin it with a pick or small screw driver) the threads were fine. Because the bolt is hollow with a magnet in the void, the head was spinning making me think the threads had stripped. I just purchased a .89 cent bolt that has the same style head design as the fill plug. I change my final drive oil every spring so I am not worried about not having the magnet."