• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

removing tranny filler plug...[or trying]

Share this page

A

achtungeveryone

Jedi Hopeful
Offline
any ideas on removing the tranny oil filler plug on my 6? It looks smaller than the engine drain plug (which I just use an adjustable wrench on) so ordering something that fits could be hit or miss. Maybe somebody has a home remedy for this. Basically, I'm under it while it's up on ramps and there is no room for something conventional to remove it.

thanks for any help!
Achtung
 
They should be the same, I believe, so if the tranny plug is smaller, likely someone has already taken Vise Grips to it. My suggestion is to do that again, then replace the plug.

On my Stags, I really like the hex socket plugs I got from MMC. The big Allen (hex) wrench is much more positive and easier to use in tight quarters. Bought magnetic versions for all the drain plugs, too.

However, if you are going to stick with the stock square headed pipe plug, then I'd suggest a 1/2" drive, 7/18" 8-point socket. Should be available from any tool store, Sears, etc. By grabbing all 4 corners, it's much less apt to round than using an adjustable wrench or whatever.

I also recommend PTFE (teflon) pipe "dope" (aka compound) on the threads. It both helps the plug go in easier (so less force needed to seal), and acts as an anti-seize between the steel and aluminum so they come out easier next time. And unlike the more common pipe tape, there is no way for it to form 'strings' that can clog passages, etc. $10 at Home Depot should buy you a lifetime supply.
 
If your tranny, like on my "4", uses a four sided, square plug, I highly advise that you exercise the greatest caution. Mine took several days to remove after being brutally rounded--I drilled it out with a carbide bit and an easy-out, and I won't trouble you with all the side stories of how the exercise went.

My advice: Get a nice square wrench. A good old fashioned four sided square wrench that Triumph intended for the job. You might visit a used tool store. You'll see the wrench on Ebay at times. I would not try either a socket or closed end ring wrench.

I even bought a square socket to fit. Not a six sider, but a four sided square socket.

Good luck.
 
Probably not much help, but I'll share anyway. I used a self-adjusting
socket wrench bought for about $10 from sears. Got these little spring-loaded
pin heads that push in and form around the bolt head....any size, long
as it fits over the bolt.

But, my interior/seats tranny tunnel are out of the car. I was able to
quite easily reach from the driver's side interior right down onto the exposed bolt.

Bottom up, I suppose is the problem, huh? I like the small vice grips
idea and replace. My filler plug was smaller than the fill; 3/8 standard
pipe thread plug from any hardware store is likely what's there, if it's
square....or better....that's what mine was, at least. My 6 is a '74.
 
I just went through this. I had to remove the carpet and tranny cover in the cockpit to access this bugger, since there was no way it was comming out from the bottom. Even then I couldn't remove it (even after heating and tapping it with a hammer). I had to drill small holes into the plug close to the threads. I guess this provided enough 'give' in the thing that it finally let loose. Wow.
 
Back
Top