6-spd fluid change

[Vettelt193]

Ok, had the car up this weekend to do the engine and tranny oils... I could not get either the drain plug or fill plug loose on the tranny .... what is the secret?

I have done it before on my '93, but it was on a lift and the guy helping me had a really long wrench... so I assume between being able to stand and having so much extra leverage I didn't notice how hard it was to get off?

 

[69MyWay]

I have had trouble with every one that I have fooled around with.

My suggestion is first make sure you can remove the fill plug. After that is okay, move on to the drain.

 

[twiget]

Maybe it's just because I'm a big 'ol ape, and I'm used to wrenching on bolts that dont want to come free, but I've never had any troubles with the drain and fill plugs.

Chris does make a good point though...

Jason

 

[Vettelt193]

After about 1 minute of trying to get the drain off, I decided I didn't want to be SOL with an empty transmission so I moved to the filler plug.... I only had the front end jacked up, and I actually had to prop my foot up against the rear tire to stop myself from sliding around on the floor because I was pulling so hard... I am pretty much out of ideas on this one at least i got the oil changed!

 

[trrgod]

Make sure you have the proper allen wrench. I believe it is a metric size. They are always overtightened because we are all used to having to put them on real tight on most american trannys. These plugs are tapered so they don't need to be so tight. I went to Chevy and bought 2 back ups because I rounded off the plug with the wrong allen wrench. I was able to get the plug out when I had the tranny out to put in a new clutch.

 

[Vettelt193]

I was able to get the plug out when I had the tranny out to put in a new clutch.

I am praying that I don't have to take the tranny out! I do have the proper size allen wrench (i have a socket actually) The only thing that I don't have is a big enough wrench to fit around my biggest socket wrench to add leverage. I am going to swing by sears during lunch to pick one up... wish me luck tonight.... Glad I still have a 12 pack in the fridge

 

[twiget]

It's a 17mm allen to do the plugs. Also, you need to put the car up on 4 jackstands, so it's level. If not, you wont be able to drain all the fluid.

Jason

 

[Vettelt193]

I was doing it the lazy way: jack up the front right corner of the car, take out the drain plug, drop it back down while it drains, then refill.... I think my laziness actually paid off this time, because even if it was on jackstands, i couldn't have gotten the plug out, so i saved myself some work

 

[trrgod]

Good luck on getting the plugs out. Be careful. I put the lower(drain plug) in myself and wrenched it TOO much. The plugs are tapered and when I tightened TOO hard I cracked the plug boss. I managed to fill the crack with gasket sealer after I made sure no oil was in the crack and it worked. NO drips. I will weld it and re-tap it next time I have the trans out. The plugs always seem to be tightened too much. The drain plug doesn't need to be so tight because it's tapered.