ZF6 drain plug

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Sep 16, 2002 | 11:47 PM

Mark93

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Instructor

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 111

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From: Kansas City MO

ZF6 drain plug

Yesterday was the first time I tried to change the fluid in my ZF6. I was unable to remove the drain plug on my transmission.

Luckily, I had removed the fill plug first, and was able to siphon out 2 quarts using a 1/4 inch vinyl tube. Capacity is 2.2 quarts.

Has anyone else had this problem? :confused:

Sep 17, 2002 | 03:09 AM

khornet

Pro

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 587

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From: Phx/but its a dry blast furnace kinda heat AZ

Re: ZF6 drain plug (Mark93)

You need to go to your neighborhood Autozone and get the 17mm hex driver socket. :yesnod:

Sep 17, 2002 | 05:42 AM

Reneiria

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 111

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From: Heidelberg Germany

Re: ZF6 drain plug (Mark93)

I was just reading the owners manual last night and it said the ZF6 does not require an oil change during its service life. Is there any other service schedule or rule of thumb on the ZF6 you are following ??

Sep 17, 2002 | 07:26 AM

RichS

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 7,339

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From: WilkesBarre PA

Re: ZF6 drain plug (Reneiria)

Quote:

Since I race the car and generally run the car hard, I replace all fluids every winter except the anti-freeze.

Sep 17, 2002 | 09:31 AM

The Rex

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 5,357

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From: Moving forward, in reverse.

Re: ZF6 drain plug (Reneiria)

Quote:

I've had my LT4 just over a week now. I changed all the fluids including ZF & Diff oil so now I know how fresh they are. Actually, they looked clean when I changed them. Even more proof the car has been taken care of is a good thing. I got the "whay are you changing the fluids again?" from my friend who was helping out. Now I know what's in there, & how fresh it is. Peace of mind is a beautiful thing. :yesnod:

Sep 17, 2002 | 10:49 AM

Nathan Plemons

Race Director

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 14,165

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Re: ZF6 drain plug (Mark93)

GM recommends that you never touch it. ZF thinks differently, I believe every 30,000 miles or so. I drained and replaced mine when I replaced my clutch. It was good to see the ever so fine metal shavings from the one too many missed shifts. The tranny is still fine but it's good to get that stuff out of there.

I tend to drive my car very hard and I do miss a shift on occasion. That's the perfect opportunity to get small metal shavings floating around in there. Thus I feel more comfortable changing it every so often.

BTW, the drain plug and fill plug on mine was a real PITA. I finally got the proper tool, but the first time I good deal of the fluid leaked out of the back while the tranny was tilted, so we just poured it back in the same hole :)

Sep 18, 2002 | 12:30 AM

6spd89

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 1,206

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From: USA USA

Cruise-In II Veteran

Re: ZF6 drain plug (Mark93)

You need a BIG A!! breakerbar and then it will come loose!! The longer the better. Just don't kill yourself on the car when it breaks loose! :cry

Matt

Sep 18, 2002 | 10:57 AM

snaketr

Drifting

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 1,669

Likes: 1

Re: ZF6 drain plug (6spd.89)

Actually there is a trick, I use a hex wrench that is the right size, then I use a propane torch to heat the thread locking compound that is on the plug. You do not have to get it hot, just put the propane torch on it for about 30 seconds and the plug will back right out.