Transmission Fluid change question

Please read post #16.

 

Mendel,

I know you guys say that Toyota recommends 29 ft.lbs. torque to close the fill and drain plugs. That said, why is it so darn hard to break them loose? They must be torqued from the factory at more than 29 ft.lbs., no? Would a little PB Blaster make a difference or is it just corrosion?

Bob

 

I used a Jet wrench with a handle that's about 18" long, made it relatively easy. No extra lube. They still made a bit of a poing when they broke loose. You want to get a proper ratchet wrench socket with a (male) 10mm hex bit; don't try it with an Allen Key and pipe.

 

Things can be torqued to j foot pounds at the factory, and then sit there for years, and then take k ≫ j foot pounds to break loose.

 

Berch1943 - I bet your mechanic was referring to an older American car with a lot of miles and no history of transmission service. Many transmission techs will tell you it's best to leave well enough alone. A trans filter and fluid change can sometimes make these transmissions fail. Not all but some will. He probably didn't understand that you were talking about a Prius. Just a thought?

 

There's something about the plating used on fasteners by the Japanese.

I see it all the time, where any bolt or other fasteners "feels" like it take 3-4 times the tightening torque in order to break it loose. "Crack it" a sixteenth of a turn, then spin it out with your fingers. Great corrosion resistance, but it has got it's own loctite.

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