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Transmission fill plug

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by unigeezer, Apr 2, 2024.

  1. unigeezer

    unigeezer Member

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    First I sprayed it with rust penetrant let it sit for about 30 minutes, then used my 3/8 ratchet extension with the hex bit, and it doesn't even budge. How can I get this thing off? A larger half inch ratchet with a reducer won't fit in there with that axle thing so close to the filler plug. Any ideas?
     
    #1 unigeezer, Apr 2, 2024
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2024
  2. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Use a long breaker bar. Make sure the hex bit doesn't move; or you'll round out that plug. Then you'll have even larger problems.

    Good luck...
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I used a 1/2" drive Jet wrench, flex-head, with 1/2" to 3/8" adapter, plus an extension:

    Engine Under Panel removal | PriusChat

    The flex-head and extension maybe helps clear drive shaft.

    It took a bit of oomph, then breaks loose. Hopefully your case is similar.
     
  4. unigeezer

    unigeezer Member

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    Just took it to a local mechanic and let him put it on his lift and he was able to break both the filler and drain plug free for me. He said that they were so tight they were probably closer to 80 or 90 foot pounds! The only charged me 10 bucks to break them free so it was worth it.
     
    #4 unigeezer, Apr 2, 2024
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2024
    BiomedO1 likes this.
  5. unigeezer

    unigeezer Member

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    I noticed the crush washers are flat on one side and kind of rounded on the other. Which side should go against the transmission case?
     
  6. ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo Senior Member

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    I put the rounded side towards the car, flat against the bolt. But I've been told it really doesn't matter...just make sure you get the correct torque on the bolt. (I believe the torque is 29 or 30 ft/lbs for a transmission drain/fill bolt.)
     
  7. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I don't know what all you can use but my snap-on half inch drive breaker bar is at least 2 ft It might be 28 in it's long and then I have a little pipe that I can slip over that to make it almost 4 ft that generally will get anything on a Toyota or a production Toyota not a forklift but a car. And usually with ease one handed type action with the extension on it and then when I put it back I just use a ratchet and I let it seat and I tighten it like I do a spark plug there is no reason to do anything more to this plug at all nothing's going to leak it's not going to fall out it can't work its way out My goodness.
     
    bettergolf likes this.
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Transaxle fluid link in my signature has the torque value (29 flt/lb).
     
    ColoradoBoo likes this.