PCinDC

What size hex head socket is needed for removal?

Thanks in advance,

goingboeing737

17mm

Be sure that can remove the "fill" plug before you remove the "drain" plug.

Also use a magnetic pickup tool to "fish" around in there and get any metal shavings.

Paul C 944

I found a 17 mm allen key at sears.HTH

FRANKYDOOM

17 mm - make sure you open the filler plug first - then the bottom one - otherwise you have probs lol

97xray

Are there standard impact 17mm hex heads?
I know this is a bit risky with high torque to the tranny housing - but I've sprayed that D*&^ plug for a year everytime I get under there and waited appropriate periods - just won't budge.
I'm starting to think it's actually fused / rusted into a solid piece of metal...
So, any recommendation for an impact 17mm piece?

IceShark

Well, if it is an '83 that has never been taken out before, you may have a real problem here. The problem is the threads of the plug are tapered pipe. The hole is standard straight. So you have a binding problem from the get go.

I use a 3 foot section of pipe as a cheater bar to get those suckers out and I replace gear oil every few years.

Just make sure you clean out the plug socket with a brush so you seat nice and firm and don't round out the flats. I've never tried to get an impact gun up there, maybe it will work. Should "awaken" the threads.

Mike B

I have the 17mm hex key as well and it was ineffective in removing the plug. It was great at getting jammed in there and partially rounding out the plug though.

I understand Sears does carry a 17mm hex socket which it what I plan to pick up.

97xray

Mike, Let me know how that works... I may end up going out to buy one of those myself...

DerSchlechtSpecht

I got mine off a snap on truck.

Christian

Mighty Shilling

Auto Zone...$5.00

Paul C 944

I ended up using a double ended nut, and a 17 mm box end.it fit better and was easier to persuade it to come off with a hammer.also it only cost 50 cents at the locale hardware store!!!

goingboeing737

I messed with mine for about 3 months. My fill plug was rounded out to start with. Couple of cans of P B Blaster, got the 17mm socket adaptor from Pelican, JB Weld'ed that thing in, let it sit for 4 days. 2.6 seconds of torque the adaptor came right out.....

OK,,,time to bring out the BIG GUNS...

Went to neighborhood muffler shop and had them weld (really weld, not the JB kind) that damn adaptor into the plug. A VERY LARGE breaker bar and 2 minutes later it was out. I had to "waste" the adaptor, but I had no other choice. Also, the new ones do not need to be air wrenched or torqued to the "n"th degree.

I had gone to the dealer and got new plugs. About 6.00 each. Went home and drained some nasty *** gear oil and filled it up with Sweepco 201 gear oil.

One more project checked off........

Hans

The plugs seem to excist in two sizes: 17 mm and 17,5 mm
I had both on my tranny, filling plug seized in as well.
Got it out as follows:
Remove rear wheel
Use matching socket, 1/2" square, with all the extentions you can find piled up to it to get the extention ending outside the fender.
Use impact screw driver and big hammer.
Blow 4 to 5 times, swap to breaker bar and remove plug.
Contact me in case you strip the thread in the casing, I have a permanent solution for that
(Yes, it's Friday, No it is not loctite..)
TakeCare

iloveporsches

I took a rather thick Craftsman 17mm allen wrench, and slipped a 6 foot pipe over it. After that it came right out without any effort. My trans was laying on the ground so I had a little more room to work with though.

83na944

I used a 17mm allen wrench in a 17mm socket attached to a 24" breaker bar turned so that the pivot pin was vertical. It did take a lot of force, but nothing was rounded off or stripped.