Trans drain question

[Jim Nolan]

I took a 17mm hex key and cut a piece off the handle and put it into a 17mm socket. Worked like a champ.

[A26B]

Originally Posted by Z51JEFF

Thanks for all the tips guys.I took my 17MM Allen socket to work,chucked it up in the lathe and trimmed about 5/8 of an inch off of the length.I thin k with this and my breaker bar I should be able to get this off,thanks again.

That's good! Hope you didn't leave any chamfer on it, just a little hand filing to de-burr. The plug hex is very shallow, so not much engagement, & hard to keep straight. Galvanic weld (steel plug/alum trans) adds to the problem of getting it loose.

On my 94, The fill plug was tight, but the drain was a real bitch, 1/2" breaker bar with cheater. Mine went back with new plugs and teflon tape.

[Hammer]

Just a few words of caution.

1. Make sure you get the fill plug out first. VERY IMPORTANT
2. Bill B. has the replacement plugs at a very reasonable price. I'd order two (they are the same) before getting started, just in case. http://www.zfdoc.com/
3. If you cannot get them out with the socket, there is usually enough thread of the plug sticking out that you can remove them with vice grips or a pipe wrench. This is where the new plugs from Bill come in handy.

Good luck.

[Z51JEFF]

Originally Posted by A26B

just a little hand filing to de-burr.

This was exactly what I did,just buzzed the edges a hair to remove the sharp edge.

[tomtom72]

Originally Posted by Hammer

Just a few words of caution.

1. Make sure you get the fill plug out first. VERY IMPORTANT
2. Bill B. has the replacement plugs at a very reasonable price. I'd order two (they are the same) before getting started, just in case. http://www.zfdoc.com/
3. If you cannot get them out with the socket, there is usually enough thread of the plug sticking out that you can remove them with vice grips or a pipe wrench. This is where the new plugs from Bill come in handy.

Good luck.

Jon, any suggestions for if there is not enough of the plug sticking out? No not mine, my bud from CT. I can't get his fill plug out!

Jerry, our OEM plugs are steel? I was going to look for brass plugs, as our threads look like IPS threads? I want the ones with the external head so I can use a 6" pipe wrench on them.

Oh Jeff, sorry for the Hi-Jack man!


Tom

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by tomtom72

Jon, any suggestions for if there is not enough of the plug sticking out? No not mine, my bud from CT. I can't get his fill plug out!

Sorry, I haven't had that problem. I would think first to try some heat if you have that ability. But a call to Bill might be in order here as I would think he has dealt with that before and could advise.

Originally Posted by tomtom72

Jerry, our OEM plugs are steel? I was going to look for brass plugs, as our threads look like IPS threads? I want the ones with the external head so I can use a 6" pipe wrench on them.

I think Bill's plugs are aluminum. That's a great idea on the plug, if you can find one that has the right threads of course.

Happy Thanksgiving.

[tomtom72]

Ya see? That's why we are a tight group here! Thanks Jon!

Hey man Happy Turkey Day to your & yours too!

I never thought of asking Bill. Well, I did, but the man is sooo busy I feel bad asking him Q's. I know he is a great guy and I should just drop him an e-mail.

Yea, on my bud's car the factory ran both plugs in almost to the head! It stinks! I gave up and I feel badly for not being able to finish the job. I did try some, very little heat from my MAAP gas torch. I just was a bit worried that I'd over cook it & do something I'd really regret!

The only reason I even suggested that the OE plugs could be pipe threads is that they are tapered like IPS threads, or at least look like that on my plugs.

Jon, thanks for your time on this! Jeff, again sorry to be a hi-jacker.


Tom

[WVZR-1]

I'm quite sure the drain and fill are M24 X 1.5 - It could be a "tapered plug" and likely is but I've never seen that in print. BMW's are I believe.

I believe that there is also a "DIMPLER" available that is M24 X1.5 that has a magnetic insert like the drain plugs for the LT5. That will have a hex on it and specifies "tapered" for the BMW's. There's a 14mm long one that doesn't specify "tapered" that might include also a gasket. I believe there's an internal magnet in the trans but the case would need split to service it. I'm sure it wasn't meant to be serviced!

The original fill plug in an NOS "blue-tag" protrudes from the case maybe three threads which leads me to believe it's actually a taper like the BMW. The plugs are steel!

Here's the "Dimpler": http://www.drainplugmagnets.com/contactus.html

Here's a link to MAGDANA that might be able to do these: http://www.magdana.com/index.html

He's been a USA vendor for some time and I believe was a vendor/sponsor at one time, maybe still!

[Z51JEFF]

Originally Posted by tomtom72

Jon, thanks for your time on this! Jeff, again sorry to be a hi-jacker.


Tom

Thats alright Tom,any and all info is always helpful.

[Z51JEFF]

Got it done guys,no grief or drama but my breaker bar was about an inch too long,cars up on stands and cant get it any higher.Had to come up with some creative angles on the breaker bar handle to get a good bite on the socket-trans plug.There was no way a ratchet and socket would fit in the space allowed.When I get some time Ill measure the combined depth of the breaker bar with socket attached for future reference.Im using the Amsoil Synthetic fluid instead of the Castrol fluid.I figure Amsoil has made me a believer in the motor oil,why not the trans fluid.Thanks again to everyone for the tips,the Brother hood lives!