What wrenches needed for changing tranny / diff fluids?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 16
From: Anchorage Alaska
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
What wrenches needed for changing tranny / diff fluids?
Like the title says..
What size wrenches are needed to remove the drain plugs and fill plugs for the tranny and diff for fluid changes? Car is an 03 Z06. I will be picking up Amsoil fluids plus a hand pump tomorrow, and want to know if I need to buy any tools while I'm out.
Also, while I'm under the car... will the drain plugs and fill plugs be intuitively obvious? Or, are there other plugs nearby that I could confuse them with? I haven't tried looking for them before so if anyone can give me a rough idea where they are located, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks!
What size wrenches are needed to remove the drain plugs and fill plugs for the tranny and diff for fluid changes? Car is an 03 Z06. I will be picking up Amsoil fluids plus a hand pump tomorrow, and want to know if I need to buy any tools while I'm out.
Also, while I'm under the car... will the drain plugs and fill plugs be intuitively obvious? Or, are there other plugs nearby that I could confuse them with? I haven't tried looking for them before so if anyone can give me a rough idea where they are located, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 46
From: Taylorsville North Carolina
Search and you will find. Just make sure you can get the refill plugs off before you drain tranny or rear. Also, on the tranny, there is a washer on the drain bolt, so don't toss that out with the old fluid. Good Luck.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 16
From: Anchorage Alaska
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I tried searching, but the first 15 threads made no mention of wrench sizes so at that point I gave up. I'm sure somebody here can spout the sizes off. Thanks for the other tips!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,352
Likes: 103
From: In the pit, trying to love someone.
For your trans, all you will need is a 3/8 ratchet. The hole in the plug is the same size as the square part, it just slides in. For the differential, go to your local parts store, pay $10 and buy a set of Torx sockets. The size you need will be in the set.
The drain plug for the trans is on the back of the trans on the bottom, on the passenger side. The fill plug is on the drivers side somewhere near the middle. If you are using one of the cheap red and black hand pumps I highly recommend taping the pressure side of the pump where the hose slips in, I have had the pressure blow the hose out and shoot fluid everywhere before. A little electrical tape, and problem solved.
The drain plug for the diff can be accessed from directly below, it is on the passenger side. If you look on the bottom you cannot miss it. The fill is on the very back on the passenger side as well.
If you are draining the trans, I suggest you jack up the front of the car too, and while it is draining lower the back a tad, so the fluid flows to the back of the trans. You want the car level when you are filling it so you get the proper amount in.
The drain plug for the trans is on the back of the trans on the bottom, on the passenger side. The fill plug is on the drivers side somewhere near the middle. If you are using one of the cheap red and black hand pumps I highly recommend taping the pressure side of the pump where the hose slips in, I have had the pressure blow the hose out and shoot fluid everywhere before. A little electrical tape, and problem solved.
The drain plug for the diff can be accessed from directly below, it is on the passenger side. If you look on the bottom you cannot miss it. The fill is on the very back on the passenger side as well.
If you are draining the trans, I suggest you jack up the front of the car too, and while it is draining lower the back a tad, so the fluid flows to the back of the trans. You want the car level when you are filling it so you get the proper amount in.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 16
From: Anchorage Alaska
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Thank you for the informative reply! I do have a set of Torx bits that also have an adaptor for using them with a socket wrench... would that be equivalent to buying a set of Torx sockets, or are the sockets "inverted" from standard torx bits? If not, then I have no issues buying the socket set. I should have everything else... and I appreciate the tip on the hand pump. I am getting one of the Amsoil ones so hopefully it's a good one.
Last edited by Alaskanpilot; Mar 19, 2009 at 12:59 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 1
From: MA
To clarify as I'm getting ready to change out my rear diff fluid, I will need;
Torx Socket(s)? Not the bits but the Female Torx socket, correct?
Even if I use Royal Purple or Mobil 1 gear oil, I'll still need the friction modifier, 4 oz?, yes?
Torx Socket(s)? Not the bits but the Female Torx socket, correct?
Even if I use Royal Purple or Mobil 1 gear oil, I'll still need the friction modifier, 4 oz?, yes?
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 1
From: MA
Thank you Waddisme. When I get some ramps, I'll also pick up a set of Torx bits for the ratchet/socket-driver. I did not think there was such a thing as Torx sockets, that would be weird. Much appreciated. I'm also going to go to my local NAPA to get some of the Royal Purple 75-90.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 2
From: St. Clair Shores Mi
Thank you Waddisme. When I get some ramps, I'll also pick up a set of Torx bits for the ratchet/socket-driver. I did not think there was such a thing as Torx sockets, that would be weird. Much appreciated. I'm also going to go to my local NAPA to get some of the Royal Purple 75-90.
acutally there is, they call em inverted/external torx sockets.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 16
From: Anchorage Alaska
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Well, after changing my fluids, I had no use for any Torx products whatsoever.
I found that both diff plugs were removed with a 10mm hex bit socket, the transmission drain plug came out with just the square tip of a 3/8" socket extension, and the transmission fill plug required a 7/8" deep socket due to the bolt also housing a sensor.
Are all C5's not created equal, when it comes to which tools are needed for removing drain plugs?
I found that both diff plugs were removed with a 10mm hex bit socket, the transmission drain plug came out with just the square tip of a 3/8" socket extension, and the transmission fill plug required a 7/8" deep socket due to the bolt also housing a sensor.
Are all C5's not created equal, when it comes to which tools are needed for removing drain plugs?