BMW Diff - filler plug tightening?

[hallmark]

Hi everyone,

Having a bit of a clean up underneath my 1.6 Sigma Superport and one thing led to another and I've basically ended up removing just about everything from the propshaft back (not what I initially intended to do but there you go!).  Anyway, all's well thankfully but when the diff was out I loosened the filler plug (for fresh oil once refitted) and thought no more of it until I realised how close it is to the De Dion tube and I'm not going to be able to get a H14 socket in there to tighten.  It's finger tight now, but whats the trick - is it to grind down a H14 allen key or equivalent to fit or is there a easier way?

Thanks all,

Mark

 

[Jonathan Kay]

On the Sierra diff you can improve access by jacking the de Dion tube. Then I use a cut down hex key.

http://web.archive.org/web/20190416082534/http://alcester-racing-sevens.com/diff_oil_-_access.htm

Jonathan

[7 wonders of the world]

Replace the plug with a hex version which you can access with a spanner

[22daz]

Put the chassis on axle stands and let the Dedion droop, from memory this gives enough access to get a socket onto it from above. 
22Daz

[hallmark]

Many thanks all - makes sense,  will have a go moving the axle stands in the first instance to see if that increases clearance - think I've read something that the De Dion does have movement so fingers crossed!  Thanks again everyone for responding :-)