This is insane!

So I wanted to check the fluid level in my tranny. Book says I need a 17 mm hex driver to remove the plug. Nope, ain't got anything like that. Then I notice I can't even get straight onto the plug for removal because the engine support arm is kinda in the way. No, that ain't insane, just kinda normal.

Ok, now it gets insane. The weather is crappy for a change in San Diego, so I'm driving a 5300 pound truck to buy a tool that weighs about one pound. Did I mention Christmas traffic and 28 consecutive stoplights? That's insane!

Makes one think seriously about an electric car?!

p.s. Sears didn't have it, but Marshal's Hardware did (always does).

Roll down your windows and scream,

HO

HO

HO

at everyone you pass. Yeah, sure, maybe you'll get your hiney whupped but it will definately make the time in traffic pass quickly.

angela

You can use a metric bolt with a 17mm head ( double nutted or tack welded) to remove the plug. ~Alan

Lets petition Theron for AM having his own forum catagory :
Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions !!

Dave you should have asked....doesn't everyone have one of these? I do, it's extra handy! Of one or two specialty tools from my engine building days.

GB: Good tool. Where can I get one? Thanks

17 MM combo wrench with 17MM coupling nut.....Available at most good hardware stores....

I got mine 100 years ago but here's a link in the States.
It's called a 2567 oil service wrench.

http://chadstoolbox.com/hazet2567-1oilservicewrench.aspx

GB: Thanks for the quick response. I just ordered one.

if you have a welder - use a wheel bolt to make one. they fit.

Sears Craftsman carries 17mm short and long hex wrenchs; try p/n 46666. About $8-10. Search "Sears 46666"-should come right up.

Scott its true you can get them for less money at Sears and years ago they used to have good wrenches and sockets.If you broke one you could just bring it in and get another,but after a while I got tired of bringing them in.I never had to bring in my Snap-On wrenches,but if I did I got one for free, even if it rusted.Hazet makes great quality tools though they are expensive and they had specialty tools that were made for specific jobs on VW's and Porsches.
These "U" wrenches are handy too...13mmm double end for removing single carbs on a stock VW motor.

Damn! And my carbs need an 11mm curvey wrench!

In their day, Craftsman tools were very high quality and had a lifetime guarantee: Break it and they would replace it for free, no questions. They're also handy in that they're at malls all over North America. Unfortunately, Craftsman tools are, for the most part, no longer made in America. They're still guaranteed for life (at least the "Craftsman" brand is) but as mentioned above, they're not up to the quality of Snap-on or Mac tools (but, then again, they don't cost as much as either of those brands.

I still find myself running after a Snap-On truck here and there to see what he might have for specials, and the Snap-On guy back in Rhode Island gave me an account just like a garage, making it easier (and cheapert) to buy tools from any other Snap-on guy. Really nice stuff, but expensive!!

I bought a "long" 17mm Tranny hex wrench from Sears and simply cut 1-1/4" from the long end to use in a 17mm socket. Leave the hex wrench at one house and pop the little piece in the travelin' toolbox to use at the other house. Perfect!

Just broke my Craftsman 3/8 ratchet this year. Got a new one, no questions asked, but it does look and feel a bit flimsier. The old one had a pretty good run; my dad gave me when I was about 16. Christmas, 1980, I believe.

Best tools in the shop back then were Husky: all forged, polished and unbreakable. Snap-On was right there with them. I haven't paid much attention in the last 30 years, since I already had a decent set of sockets and wrenches & stuff. For years the whole mess lived in the trunk of my Nova--helping to keep its ass end planted on good days and crucial to keeping the car going on bad.

Since we got the garage though, I'm starting to "need" more and more tools.

All true re: Craftsman. Love the Snap-Ons et al. Seems like you'd have to really screw up to bust a 17mm hex. Just my thoughts...my old 17mm hex has only been used about a dozen times in 20 years. Looks like new.

OK - I ended up buying a 17 mm hex driver that was two inches long at Marshals Hardware. I'll stick it thru my 11/16 box end and crank on!

Another facet about Craftsman brand you may not know. In 1996 I lost ALL my tools in an arson to my truck. Insurance replaced EVERYTHING (love that AAA replacement clause). But here's the real deal. I turned in a list of tools to AAA and they worked with Sears Craftsman COMMERCIAL DIVISION. Never heard of them? Neither had I. But every tool they replaced was of a way higher quality then the store bought stuff I had previously owned. I sure didn't complain. Apparantly this was standard AAA insurance policy procedure.

Don't even know if Sears has a commercial division today.

I wonder where the Craftsman commercial division is? I just like the fact that one wrench has a tranny hex and a box wrench for the motor plus it's German ,super sexy smooth and high quality,like my wife. Who isn't a tranny.

Interesting re: Sears Commercial. Seems if you submit business info you can get a log-in here:
http://commercial.sears.com/index.html