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Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:34 pm

I looked underneath today, was planning on draining my transaxle. And refilling with nice fresh fluid. 85W?
Anyhow thats a pretty big allen head. Anyone know what size that is?
I have a 74 SB. Thanks!

Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:35 pm

Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:36 pm

Wow, I don't know how you answered that quick, I just hit Post..LOL

Thanks Glenn! I knew it looked really big. Does it matter what year irs, or are they all the same?

Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:36 pm

all the same

Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:41 pm

Thanks Glenn. One more question...LOL Is there an american size close to that, that will work?

Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:27 pm

11/16 is about as close as you can get, not sure if it will fit in there though as it actually 17.4mm. The next size down, 5/8 would be way to small (15.8mm) and would probably round the hex out.

Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:29 pm

get the 17mm. You'll save yourself from busting you knuckles open on the transaxle ribs

plus you can be one of the cool people who have a 18$ tool that only fits 4 places on the whole car

Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:32 pm

Tony, make sure you can get the fill plug loose on the side before draining the gear oil. Every once in a while someone will find that out the hard way in here. :o

Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:56 pm

Thanks for all the tips. I am going to check the fill plug first. Sure hope that comes loose, or I am kinda screwed. Maybe I will clean the area up first, and hit it with some PB blast...Thanks guys!

Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:57 pm

madcow_number_6 wrote: get the 17mm. You'll save yourself from busting you knuckles open on the transaxle ribs

plus you can be one of the cool people who have a 18$ tool that only fits 4 places on the whole car

4 Places? Okay, am I missing something? :lol:

Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:57 pm

Good Luck!

Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:59 pm

TonyPgh wrote: madcow_number_6 wrote: get the 17mm. You'll save yourself from busting you knuckles open on the transaxle ribs

plus you can be one of the cool people who have a 18$ tool that only fits 4 places on the whole car

4 Places? Okay, am I missing something? :lol:

Fill and drain for the trans as you know, the rear trailing arm pivots.

Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:00 pm

The sizes used are usually 8,10,13,15,17, right?

Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:21 am

You could also make a tool ... there should be several old rusty bolts with 17 mm heads in your toolbox - grab some scrap sheet metal and fold it up to make the handle. Completely ugly but it works. Nice long handle gets loads of torque onto the plugs.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:54 am

Buy one like this as it fits your 1/2 breaker bar and you can fit it in your toolbox....

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_009426700...921x00003a

Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:03 am

If you use the 17mm allen wrech, it helps to put a 17mm box wrench around it for leverage. And keep the allen wrench it parallel to the threads.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:18 am

LeviMan2001 wrote: The sizes used are usually 8,10,13,15,17, right?

There's a couple of 6's in there, too - the steering column and lock collar. Plus that odd little 12-point for the CV axles (I was really lucky to discover I still had my tool for it, from the last time I owned a Bug - some fifteen years ago!).

Wed Nov 18, 2009 6:34 pm

Alister wrote: LeviMan2001 wrote: The sizes used are usually 8,10,13,15,17, right?

There's a couple of 6's in there, too - the steering column and lock collar. Plus that odd little 12-point for the CV axles (I was really lucky to discover I still had my tool for it, from the last time I owned a Bug - some fifteen years ago!).

Thats funny you brought that up. I did find my 12 point for the axles. I have also had mine for 15-20 years.
I need to buy a set of allens.