afinepoint

What is the size of the ('84) 915 transmission hex plugs? My vernier shows about 17mm but I could be a little off. I plan to pickup a wrench on the way home but I only want to buy once.

Also how is this (or any) hex bolt re-torqued? I have looked for hex drives but have not had any luck. I've considered cutting a wrench and using a matching socket.

Reg

theiceman

what about a bolt with a 17mm head and use a double nut on the wrenching end ? then you can use a standard 17mm wrench. For my 944 I welded a 17mm head bolt to a piece of pipe, just tightened it snug then a little more and never leaked a drop. remember it is just a plug. It is not holding anything together, you juts won't want it to leak or fall out, and you want to be able to get it out next time. Hell you might even be able to get a torque wrench on one of the double nuts if you go that route.

Peter Zimmermann

There is nothing wrong with making a tool, but SnapOn stocks a wonderful, 3/8th drive, 17mm socket that is perfect for the application. If you encounter an overtightened plug simply put a 3/8th to 1/2" drive converter on the socket, and use a breaker bar to loosen the plugs. The torque for the drain and fill plug is 24 Nm, about 17 lb/ft.

I'll add, using the edit function, that because the hex part of the plugs is relatively shallow, you want the most precise fit possible. Also, always loosen the fill plug before the drain plug.

afinepoint

Pete is this a hex drive?

Ice,

I thought about using a bolt but couldn't find one that size. I figure the $$$ savings of my doing the job more than pays for the wrench.

Reg

theiceman

true enough..

Peter Zimmermann

Reg: Yes, 17mm hex...

theiceman

wait till you price out snap on tools ..... :-)

Peter Zimmermann

...aw, c'mon, ice, they're cheap when compared with Stahwille!

theiceman

now theres something for me to check out ...

Ps Pete i was just reading through the book .. the next time someone asks about repro fuchs you should post that pic in your book .. Holy Crap ...

afinepoint

You sure that bottom plug isn't 18mm? My 17mm wrench sure fits loosely and keeps caming out. The vernier shows ~17mm flat to flat one way and 18mm another.

I hit it with some PB blaster and let it soak but it ain't budging using a deadblow and 4lb hammer. As a last resort I will just vacuum out the oil and refill.

theiceman

Sounds like the PO had trouble too, so started to stretch it then left it. I am pretty sure it is in fact 17. I guess worse cade you could tack weld a socket to the plug . get her out and replace the plug. Sounds like it needs replacing anyway.

Bill Verburg

It's 17mm and the only way i've found to get the drain off if there is a factory trans cooler there

theiceman

now THATS a tool ..... looks so much bigger in real life :-)

Peter Zimmermann

finepoint: The loose fit is exactly why you remove the fill plug first! Sometimes it's the fill plug that's been overtightened, enlarged, and won't budge. Yes, they're all 17mm, as pictured above, but you have to get creative with removal when the tool won't work.

afinepoint

It was a battle of epic legend but it's off however the hex key rotated 1/2 way between the flats before the plug gave way. In other words I was within a gnat's a** of rounding off the plug's flats.

I put the plug back in but only snug plus one flat. I'll replace it at some time in the future and will check for leaks next time out. I thought about swapping the fill for the drain but the drain has the magnet. Refilling with Swepco. What additive makes it green?

Pete, I did remove the fill first.

Thanks,

Reg