Contents:

• Introduction
• Ordering

Introduction:

If you have ever changed gear oil in a VW water-cooled transaxle, you have had to deal with that 17mm socketed drain and fill plug. In the past, I have used a 17mm allen key and also old lug bolts welded to a steel bar to fashion a removal tool. I think I have lost more tools to remove and install these plugs than I can remember. What seemed to be a much better solution was a small adapter for a normal 3/8" drive ratchet:

17mm Socket Adapter	Removing drain plug

And here it is. Pictured above-left is the adapter, 17mm male hex drive on one end, 3/8" female square drive on the other end. Pictured above-right is the adapter fitted to a 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the drain plug. Works equally well on fill plug, too. Advantages of the adapter is that you can use it with normal 3/8" drive extensions, ratchets, breaker bars, torque wrenches, air tools, etc. None of this was possible with the other tools I had used in the past.

A couple of handy tips before trying to remove the drain and fill plugs are listed below:

1. First, make sure you can remove the FILL plug before you try to remove the DRAIN plug. Nothing like the feeling of struggling to get the fill plug out while the gear oil is draining out the bottom!
2. Be sure to clean out the socket in the plug before inserting whatever removal tool you are planning to use. I like to use a small pick or screwdriver to get into the bottom corners of the socket and then spray it out with some solvent or cleaner to ensure the tool can fit fully into the socket.
3. Then tap the tool into the socket of the plug to make sure it is fully seated. If it doesn't feel like it is in there solid, remove it and look for anything hanging it up like dirt or a burr, etc.
4. Before reinstalling a plug, make sure to clean and inspect the threads. I like to use a wire brush around the outside to get any grit out of the threads. Then wipe off the area around the threaded hole and the internal threads. I find the grit in the threads of the plugs is a common cause of having them be difficult to remove the next time.
5. Screw the plug in by hand and it should turn smoothly. If it feels gritty or gets tight too fast, pull it out and find out why before cranking it in farther. This is a slightly tapered hole and the plug should get gradually tighter as it is screwed in to make a seal. There are no washers or gaskets or other sealers involved in a leak free plug.

Ordering Information:

If you are interested in this 17mm socket adapter, the cost is $7.50 plus shipping:

Notes:

• Parts are shipped from zip 95051 (CA)
• A tracking number will be provided for the 2 expedited shipping options above