jimijoe

I'd like to change the oil in my trans (94 6spd). There are two Hex type (allen bolts) and I can't seem ot find a allen to fit. The guy at the auto parts store said there is a tool but its a dealer item. I was wondering if any of you folk have come up with a way of removing this with out the tool. I was thinking about using a bolt with 2 nuts jamed down, so I can get a socket on it. I think it's 17mm.

ninetyfivevette

It's not a dealer item... What BS. You need to do one of two things: find a bolt with a 17mm head and lock a pair of nuts on it (cheap), or find a real hardware/tool shop. I bought mine from a place called Tacoma Screw. Be prepared to drop at least $20.

ninetyfivevette

It is not a dealer item, your plan for using a 17mm bolt will work fine, otherwise just find a real hardware supply store and they should a 17mm 1/2" drive allen socket. They are about $20.

byebyeL98

my auto parts store was able to special order me a 17mm allen wrench.

Grace91

I bought a 17mm allen wrench from Sears. I think it was $9.00.

cresus

Autozone has a set with a 17mm hex 1/2" drive for $8. It works great. Remove the fill first so you're not stuck with an empty transmission if you can't get it out later.

bogus

And get the car high in the air!!! You will need all the leverage you can to break those damned plugs free!!!

mik

I used the Sears 17mm hex key with a pipe for leverage. As mentioned by someone else, make sure you can get the fill plug out before you remove the drain plug.

larryfs

auto zone is the only place to go. get the sockets.

Photomania

Jimijoe, I had trouble with the transmission filler and drain plugs in my 1990 six-speed. I tried an Allen wrench (17mm) and a 17 mm hex socket. I used a breaker bar and a floor jack, and still got nothing accomplished. Finally, I took it to a Corvette repair shop in Richmond, Virginia, and they applied heat and removed the plugs.

I ordered new plugs because a previous owner had pretty much ruined the drain plug. -- Eric

jerkyboy

You will need a breaker bar and I used a plumbers torch to heat it up and they came right out.

99svrcpe

an air impact wrench also works well

jimijoe

Hi All;

Thanks for the advise; I didn't realize the drain plugs would be that tight. I thought I read the torque spec was 25ft lbs, so I figured getting them out would be a breeze. I will definately purchase a 17mm Hex bit and NOT take a chance with a home made adapter. I'll also try a lil heat.

Thanks again

rocco16

I welded a 17mm nut on the end of a short 3/8" extension.
Looks trick and works perfectly.


PS The tightening torque is 25ft lbs, but it takes three times that to break them loose!!

Larry
code5coupe

froggy47

I'm sure some guys will disagree, but I put yellow (oil resistant) teflon tape on mine when I put it back together. I have done it without the tape & got leaks.

It'll mess up the tq spec but it won't leak. Use you judgement on the tightness.

Mike in Boston

I picked up the 17mm allen and cut 2 inches off it and put it in a 17mm socket. Two seconds with the impact gun and all was well

jrscott

I ran my '91 for about ten miles before I attempted the plugs and they came right out. I used plumbers "pipe dope" when I replaced them because they have pipe type threads. Not one problem. The heat made the difference

Aurora40

Woohoo! Score one for "search"! I can't get my fill plug off (thankfully I'm no longer dumb enough to pull the drain plug first, only to find I can't refill it) and was going to try heat from a plumbers torch. I was a bit worried that this might be a bad idea, but sounds like you all have had success! So wish me luck!

Atok

The first time I did mine I used a grade 8 17mm bolt and double nuts. I ended up welding the entire thing together because the nuts would slip no matter how much I jammed them together. Even after welding I broke the weld once...I'm not much of a welder.

My suggestion is the same as others have said. Get a proper 17mm allen socket because if they have never been out before they are hellish tight. Remove the fill plug first. When you re-install the plugs don't torque them to 25 lbs-ft (factory spec). I don't go over 15 to 20 lbs-ft which makes them come out much easier the next time. Don't worry about them coming out, after the first heat cycle they'll seize in there nice and snug.