Removing plug at end of tiller

[Don B.]

This may seem rather minor, but I am having a problem removing the plastic plug in my Hunter 26's tiller. Does anyone have any ideas about how to do this? I know that I can gouge at it with my screw driver, but I would like to avoid this, if possible. I have tried to rotate it with a friction wrench made of fabric with a metallic tightener, but this didn't work. If anyone is wondering about why I need to remove the plug, it is to access the tiller extention bolts. I need to place a nut on one where the threads stripped out of the tiller body.  Any ideas would be appreciated!

 

[Tim P]

Heat Gun?

A heat gun (or, alternatively, a hair blower) used carefully has helped me loosen/unplug many things.

 

[Rick Webb]

Dent Puller

It leaves a hole in the plug but not too noticeable. I put a dowel in mine so that I can sit in the companionway and steer the boat, it is a little more pleasant when the weather turns nasty.

 

[Ron Mehringer]

Slip jaw wrench

I used a slip jaw wrench to grab the exposed edged and then turned it counter clockwise (in case it was threaded). I don't remember if it was threaded but it did work. Of course it did mar the plug a bit, but no biggie.Ron Mehringer

 

[Michael Bell]

Bore it out.

I replaced the bolts in the tiller extension by drilling out the threaded inserts, then clear through the tiller. Placed bolts just long enough to extend through and placed cap nuts on them to keep ‘em from catching on things. Makes for a solid connection.