17mm hex key - finally found one

[Marc Swanson]

> Thanks to all respondents to my hex head query. Finally located a
> 17mm allen
> key at another Sears store (after looking at about 10 places!). Both the
> drain plug and fill plug required a good bit of effort and a 15" length of
> pipe for leverage to remove, even with the proper tool.

I have the same Sears 17mm hex key.. I've found the best way to use it is to
put a long handled 17mm wrench on the key as close as possible to the plug..
generally they come out pretty easy if you do it that way.  Although if its
never been changed.....

> Drained out all of
> the old oil (holding my breath), and although it was quite dirty and .5
> quart low, I did not find any metal filings, syncros, gear teeth or loose
> change.

good news on not finding snycros.. sorry about not finding any change. :-)

> I'd say that the oil in the tranny was original, so its a
> good thing
> I changed it. So the "new" tranny is now ready to go into the
> car, so I just
> have to keep my fingers crossed everything works OK when I put everything
> back together.

you DID put anti-sieze on the plugs when you put them back in right?

Oh, and my tranny fun begins next weekend.  I just lost reverse gear so
limping around town isn't all that easy anymore!

Later

-Marc-

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