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Some say.....you can't fit a 23 or 24mm socket on the gearbox filler plug because it's too close to the exhaust pipe...can anyone save me a trip under the car (2002NB8C) and
tell me if this is true? If so, what's best to use? Thanks guys...

Just take it to a mechanic so you don't put your back out old fella.

Personally, I grabbed both and went searching.

not sure if its the same as na6, but if its a square filler plug use a 14 spanner i think or 16...

Go and buy the correct sized socket, and then cut it to half its length, now it fits.

I have one cut especially for that bolt.

Dann

Yeah I thought of that but my sockets have the "facets" at one end and the clip-on at the other....cutting it would lose one or t'other

I just do it with a big spanner......

buy one from supercheap. Dont cut part of a complete set.

Dann

just use a shifter spanner

1red5 wrote:just use a shifter spanner

Don't use a shifter (unless you have a very good one with a long handle, AND you have had the plug out before, and therefore know it is not going to take a huge force to get it moving). Shifters are prone to flexing when the going gets tough, which can lead to rounded bolt heads - not recommended .

These drain plugs can be very hard to get out, as usually they have not been touched since the box left the factory.

Just get the right tool for the job. It's not worth the grief if you botch it.

I agree, I use shifters either as a last resort or where nothing else would work, but the one that I have is good quality and on the large-ish side, and regardless of torque I always tighten it up as much as I can when it's on the bolt to avoid slippage.

Thanks GM and ired5, that was my thought too about using a shifter, though there seem to be better designed ones these days, it would be a last resort.
Plug has been out before according to service records.
Really good advice to get the filler plug out first!
Normally of course you'd use a socket but with the exhaust pipe so close I hear it can be a problem to get it in there. This gap seems to vary between models.
Also some need to take off protection plates bolted underneath,some not.
I thought it was a good idea to cut down a socket to fit , but seems my hacksaw won't do it inside a month of cutting!
I'll try to buy a 24mm ring spanner tomorrow.....

1red5 wrote:I agree, I use shifters either as a last resort or where nothing else would work, but the one that I have is good quality and on the large-ish side, and regardless of torque I always tighten it up as much as I can when it's on the bolt to avoid slippage.

Very large shifting spanner worked fine for me... but then mine came undone fairly easily so I'd start there, and if too much force is needed to "shift it" then move onto one of the other methods.

G

I did the gearbox oil today on my 1998 JDM Roadster RS, 6 speed gearbox.

Used a 24mm ring spanner for the gearbox filler plug.

As you noted, it was hard to get a 24mm rachet in their because of the exhaust pipe.

FWIW, the gearbox drain and diff filler were also 24mm.

Interesting, the diff drain plug was 23mm.

Go figure!

Just a tip for when you get it out, use a new sealing washer as they are a crush type and over time people
have to tighten them more and more to stop them weeping, which in turn makes then harder to remove.

Happened on a 7/8" ringspanner at the local markets for $2 today and the man swears it's the same size as 24mm. We'll see....