Tranny fluid mystery bolts???

[Joe Isuzu]

OK, I've read Joe Black's "how to" along with about 5 different threads on this. Got my stuff together and figured I would let stuff drain out tonight and fiddle with the pleasant task of putting fluids back in tomorrow or over the weekend. I am stumped. The fill and drain plus on the bottom of my transmission pan are not the ones in Joe Black's write-up. Instead, I have two circular bolts with a hole in the middle of each. WTH is that? I've not seen them before on any of my vehicles. Granted, I've not tried to change tranny fluid before either, but what gives? I would have taken a picture to be helpful, but honestly my wife made chicken in curry sauce tonight and I was starting to get nauseous on the garage floor looking up at the belly of my VX. If no one knows w/o pictures, I will try to take some tomorrow. How in the world do I get these circular bolts off the transmission pan?? They don't seem to be simple covers? Please help....

[etlsport]

i know the transfer case has bolts like that that just take a 3/8" socket extension to plug into it and unscrew it

[Joe Isuzu]

i know the transfer case has bolts like that that just take a 3/8" socket extension to plug into it and unscrew it

Thanks for the help Etlsport,
don't laugh, but do you mean like a torx bit or something similar? You can tell I didn't grow up a mechanic....

[nfpgasmask]

Maybe take some pics and post them so we can point out what is what.

Bart

[johnnyapollo]

Almost sounds like someone's plugged tranny cooler adapters...

[Joe Isuzu]

thanks guys, I will be try to be more helpful and post pictures tonight

[etlsport]

on the transfer case the fill and drain bolts are circular with a square hole, you just stick the end of your 3/8" socket wrench in there (makes it easier if you use an extension) in there instead of putting a socket on the end of the ratchet

[Joe Isuzu]

alright skilled mechanics and great knowers of all things, what the heck are these things and how do I get them off so I can do a transmission fluid change???

[Ldub]

I don't even know what to think about that...does an allen wrench fit them?

I would have some stock ones on hand before I thought about vice gripping, or pipe wrenching them out...maybe they were stripped by the previous owner?...or a transmission shop?...
Anyone recognize these as a "quick fix" someone might have done???

Yikes.

[IndianaVX]

?????zooming in, it does look like the holes are "hex-ish"
im with lub, i would have on hand the plugs that are SUPPOSED to be in there.
side thought, there must be a tool that takes advantage of that hole in the center, like visegrips, with a pin for the center, to keep the grips from comming off. ya got me???

maybe take your pics to a snap on tool, or mac, and see what they say. they might have a tool??

[JHarris1385]

Um so those things are NOT stock? That is what I have.

[Joe Isuzu]

Um so those things are NOT stock? That is what I have.

Well good, I feel better that I'm not the ONLY one who has something goofy like this going on underneath my VX.
I will fiddle with it more tomorrow to see if anything I have will fit that small hole. I have to wonder what benefit this contraption is over OEM. If anybody knows anything else on this, please chime in. Thanks!!

[JHarris1385]

Mine has never been serviced and those are what are on mine.

[Ldub]

Well good, I feel better that I'm not the ONLY one who has something goofy like this going on underneath my VX.
I will fiddle with it more tomorrow to see if anything I have will fit that small hole. I have to wonder what benefit this contraption is over OEM. If anybody knows anything else on this, please chime in. Thanks!!

They could have run into a supply issue at the factory where the 4L30E is made, & had to find an alternate source of plugs.
Could also be an improved design, to lessen the chance of over tightening & stripping the threads?

[Joe Isuzu]

I'll know more once I get them off