bump.....anyone?

 

It needs a special tool? Can you post a pic? I'm curious. I would imagine it would have been a 3/8 socket like most drain plugs.

 

You're too lazy to fabricate the tool, but not lazy enough to change your own oil??....
It's really not that hard to make one, get a 17mm allen key, cut a one inch section off or get a 1" M17 bolt and 2 nuts.

 

Here's your answer. Just fine a bolt with 17mm head and thread 2 nuts on the end and tighten against each other. Use this method and Si Robertson would be proud of you.

 

It shows how to make one, and the clearance your working with HERE> Project-JK.com - Jeep JK Wrangler Resource » Jeep JK Wrangler NSG-370 Manual Transmission Service

I'm wondering if this 17mm one would work for the tight spot? Maybe not because it's a socket.
BGS Tools 1/2" Bit Socket Int. Hex. 17x55mm 5184-H17 on eBay!

Looks like you need a 14mm one also, but it doesn't need to be so short.

If you find a cheap spot to get one post it up.

 

Manual Transmission Plug Tool

I too am a newbie to jeeps and have wondered this very same thing. I called a jeep dealer and they told me they use a 1+ inch 17mm hex socket from Matco. It's $16 minus shipping. The part number is BP17MA should the link below not work. Excuse us for cheating!

BP17MA 17MM DRAIN PLUG SOCKET

 

I too am a newbie to jeeps and have wondered this very same thing. I called a jeep dealer and they told me they use a 1+ inch 17mm hex socket from Matco. It's $16 minus shipping. The part number is BP17MA should the link below not work. Excuse us for cheating!

BP17MA 17MM DRAIN PLUG SOCKET

Nice, gonna have to add that to the collection.

 

Cheapest tool I've seen is a lopped hex tool. Used a open end wrench to remove the plug.
Problem is you do bot have a lot of room. Cut just enough to fit the plug and enough for the wrench to grab onto.

 

A bolt with a 17mm head and a 17mm nut attached is the cheapest route but I went around to every hardware store and couldn't find bolt heads that big. I was surprised.

A trimmed 17mm hex tool would work great as well but I don't think I have the tools to cut a hex tool right now.

I ordered a tool piece similar to what another poster responded with. I'll post results if they're good.

 

Not sure if this clearance issue affected all JK's at one time, but I have a 2013 Sport and the pipe that crosses under the trans drain is far enough forward that clearance doesn't appear to be an issue.

I simply went out and purchased two bolts, one with a 17mm head and the other with a 14mm and put two nuts back to back at their centers.

Total cost for all of it was under $5. Going to order Redline MTL, which no local place has on the shelves. I will update if there are any complications with this setup when I'm done.

 

Another option. Found this on eBay for $9.99 including shipping.
Tool VW BMW Audi Porsche 17mm Transmission Drain Plug Socket Fill Wrench Allen | eBay

 

That is what I bought. Down to $8.99 now.

 

Autozone - 17MM VW drain plug (3/8"drive) - $2.99

14mm hex (1/2 drive) for fill plug, little hard to find.

 

As TOK mentioned, check first. My JK did not require the fabricated tool. My exhaust crossover was back far enough to provide me plenty of clearance.

 

$20 for a socket is a rip-off. The key here is that it's made for a 3/8" socket wrench, which are much smaller and lower profile then the 1/2", I might go this route myself: https://smile.amazon.com/17MM-DRAIN...hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027116&hvtargid=pla-739155572551&sa-no-redirect=1

 

I ended up getting the Snap On tool designed for the job. I got a used one off eBay. Weird thing though...I found out the seller wanted the tool to look prettier and had it chromed...so much so that it was out of spec and wouldn't fit on the plug. I ended up having to grind it down with a Dremel tool. Works like a champ now! [emoji4]

 

I found a 3 piece set on amazon which includes the 14mm and 17mm needed for the job. I watched a youtube video where the guy just loosens the crossmember on the passenger side of exhaust and drops it enough to get the tool in. Also purchased mopar lubricant nsg370 on amazon, $15 a quart.

 

Harbor Freight, buy the set for just a few buck and pop the hex out, always good to have a set of hex tools for other things. It was pretty easy but got messy when the pump hose came out and my fault. You will find that the factory does not fill up to spec and should shift easier after you service.

 

Brilliant!!!!



I'm glad I read this before I headed out! You just saved me a lot of time!


Thank you


:worthy:

 

Another, even cheaper option similar to the eBay item linked above:

https://smile.amazon.com/Performanc...B002KS6HXO/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=Drain+plug+hex&qid=1561214803&s=gateway&sr=8-11

And free shipping!
Cheers

 

^ I use the same, works okay but the Allen bit would be easier.

 

I went with the eBay one. Still needed a 17mm box end to get it started.

 

I used a small pipe wrench held sideways on the side of the bolt. It took 5 seconds.

 

Easy tool made from 17mm hex socket that was too big to clear the crossmember

 

If you get I think it's an M10 bolt, maybe an inch long(?), and two nuts screwed onto it, the bolt head is 17mm and so are the nuts.

You can insert the bolt head into the drain plug, then use a 17mm open spanner on the nuts to screw and unscrew the drain plug - each nut will lock on the other, in both directions, so they don't spin.