Can someone please advise as to what the easiest tool to purchase to get this fill spout plug off. I went around my neighborhood asking for prices for the shop to do it and they are charging $60 plus tax, even with using my GM Tranny fluid. That is insane. I need to find the right part to make this much easier on my stress level right now. Thank god i did not drain it...! Please let me know a part number, exact name, whatever, that I can buy to get this plug off. Thanks!!!

 

Just go to sears and get a an 3/8 racket and an extension or a few shorter ones for it thats about 18 inches long and a swivel. and the plug is really tight so get a 1 inch wrench and use that on the racket as a lever.

 

I dont understand the part of using the one inch wrench as a lever. You stick the ratchet in the square portion and turn the swivel...correct

 

Its a pain in the ass to break free...you need leverage, so you take the long ass wrench (1 inch is used because it has a huge closed face that can slip over the wratchet) and work it so when you pull its going to break open the fill hole.

 

$60 is a rip. I took it to a local shop and paid $30. .5 hour job. On the lift for 20 mins only. That is what you are paying for, lift time. ohhh, and this shop had never changed the MTF on a TL before.

I was leary of using the GM synchromesh, so I chose AMSOIL synchromesh 5w-30 instead. Was $7.70/qt x 3 quarts. I was extremely disappointed when I picked it up and drove it home. No difference. After a few days, I gues it worked itself throughout the transmission ::::::::::::SO SMOOOOOOOOOOTH. I am so pleased I got the fluid changed.

For those worried about a GM product in their cars. Check out AMSOIL. The website and a technical advisor both said the MTF is an OEM replacement.

miiipilot

 

I thought the same thing...that $60 is a rip. I have the GM fluid,,,all they have to do is put it on the lift and drain and fill. I was hesitant about the GM fluid as well but I heard such good things about it. I just hope I can figure this out soon. How long can a tranny run? I have had the TL for 36,000 miles and i have not touched the tranny fluid yet. It comes off of lease in 10 months. Do I even bother?

 

Yup 60$ would get you started on a nice set of tools you can use for all future jobs.

I used a 12" extension on a older 3/8 craftsman flex-head ratchet (top-line) which is more than 12" long so it has lots of leverage so I didn't need a breaker bar or a wrench on the ratchet. I also used a u-joint. Bad practice to use a wrench for leverage as it may break the ratchet. Better to use a breaker bar and then if needed a pipe on the end of it.

Basic Honda tools
3/8 ratchet get a good one as cheapies will hurt you in the long run
10,12,13,14,17mm sockets (19mm optional)
3/8 x 12" extension
3/8 x 3" extension
3/8 u-joint for off-axis ratcheting (optional)
3/8 x 3" or 6" flex extension for slightly off axis ratcheting
Slot screwdrivers
Phillips screwdrivers
Tire pressure guage
A metric + plus shaped wheel nut wrench
17mm wrench for the motor oil plug
Plastic catch basin for 6 or 8 liters
Set of funnels one with a hose to get you down to the tranny oil fill hole NEATLY.
set of ramps
jackstands
hydraulic floor jack
wheel chocks x2
large cardboard for catching spills
styrofoam sheet or rubber floor mat for comfort when lying on the floor
pr88 blocking cream for clean hands
decent hand cleaner
paper towels
lots of newspaper just in case - tranny fluid stinks because of modifiers

Later add a 1/4" ratchet set so you can do the 6,8, 10mm stuff with ease and a set of wrenches or gearwrenches the same sizes as the 3/8 sockets. With quality tools you can buy as you need them and the peices should match. Top line Craftsman used to be US made but now maybe China. Since you are driving steel into aluminum it is advisable to use a torque wrench, but until you get one be extra careful when tightening and hold yourself back.

 

Thanks for the input of the tools!! I appreciate it. My next question is do I even bother at this point. I have the car for 10 more months, then trade in off of lease. I have 37,000 miles on it and have not touched the tranny fluid. Granted if I was keeping the car I would get it changed immediately, but are there any negatives to not doing it at this point?

 

Anybody for the above question?