sevenseeker Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Hi Guys, Wonder if some of you 7 gurus might know some tips for me. I recently bought an HPC Cat and noticed that there is a gearbox leak so I've only driven the car home and was told to ensure there enough gear oil in the gearbox before venturing out on the streets again. I was told how to access the drain plug and bought a 10mm allen wrench that I cut down to size but it appears that either sizing is wrong or likely the nut is quite stripped from the inside. At any rate, there isn't much room to really get in there so I wondered if any of you had some tips or perhaps had a similar problem that you might have dealt with. At any rate, any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wemtd Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 (edited) Until someone with more tricks up their sleeve chimes in.. Does the cat have an access hole in the footwell? my birkin has a 1" hole in the footwell that can be accessed by removing of the pedal box top or via the "inverted driver" position if you're limber. this should at least allow you to see the plug. How do you feel about removing the engine/gear box? I find stuck/stripped bolts to be one of the most frustrating things. The thought of trying to work on my drain plug in situ is bonkers! Consequently I worry it may be necessary to remove the gear box to allow proper access and working room if it truly is stripped. Just think of this as a good way to become intimately acquainted with your seven (pun intended). IIRC there are other threads with advice for engine/trans removal: I find that lowering my engine/gear box assembly onto a dolly is the easiest method (and prevents oil leaking out the back end). good luck! Edited October 23, 2014 by wemtd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelD Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 agreed. I might be the only way to determine the real cause of the leak and making the fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenseeker Posted October 23, 2014 Author Share Posted October 23, 2014 Thanks guys, Unfortunately I dont thave the know how or the tools to pull a job like that. I was told minor leaks are no big deal and are quite common and that I should just for now ensure the gear box oil is topped up whcih is what I was attempting to do. If anyone in the TO area can help me out, I'd be more than happy to foot the bill handsomely. Thanks again guys, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James A Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Are you talking about the fill plug on the side of the gearbox, or did someone add a drain plug to the bottom of the box? If it is the fill plug on the side, that is not an allen in the stock form, it is a square recess in the plug. If it is the stock side plug use 3/8" square stock about 3/4" long and a combination wrench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelD Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 (edited) I have two T-9s and the fill plug on the side of both of them is a 10 mm allen. I use a 10 mm allen wrench cut down to 5/8" and a open wrench to remove it. Photos here: http://topdocsracing.com/pdf-links T-9 manual here: Type 9-N Gearbox pdf Edited October 23, 2014 by MichaelD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenseeker Posted October 24, 2014 Author Share Posted October 24, 2014 Thanks guys, Yes, it's seems to be the allen wrench entry per the seller. It's just badly stripped so I'll be taking it a fellow Cat owner's place on the weekend to get her sorted. Might just have to create new drain plug to get access. We'll see but I'll certainly write an update as to the progress. Apparently it's not as dismal a scenario as I thought and it appears the fifth gear whine is due to the straight cut gears the original owner had installed. Not sure where the leak is coming from yet but hopefully, It won;t be too bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CASwede Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 (edited) T9 leaks are often from the speedo drive. You might be able to seal it, but they often leak. If it dribbles a tablespoon or so overnight after a drive, then stops, it is probably draining from the speedo. The space where the oil collects is pretty small, and it would typically take a year or so before I'd have to add any more oil. I also have the 10mm allen plug on the side opposite the speedo drive. I picked up a set of low profile allen sockets similar to those linked below. They slip into any spanner, and make access to that fill plug pretty easy. I marked a dipstick so that I could tell "full" by accessing the top of the gearbox only. It's easier for me to fill from above than trying to get a hose into the fill plug each time. Other members have cut and welded an opening into the top of the gearbox so that they don't have to remove the bolts on top. But I find removing them from the engine bay is pretty easy with a small socket. [edited for correct website] http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/e8211z-red-low-profile-hex-bit-set-metric-hm1000-p-29577.aspx?kpid=37029&gclid=CKKq2MmIxMECFQ9cfgodd5AA4g Edited October 24, 2014 by CASwede Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee break Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 You might have some luck with a screw extractor. http://www.mcmaster.com/#screw-extractors/=ua7dqm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenseeker Posted October 24, 2014 Author Share Posted October 24, 2014 Thanks for that. Problem is, there's only a bout an inch in which to work LOL. We'll see how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelD Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 Proper fill level/quantity is pased on the high or low location of the fill plug as seen in the photos here. http://topdocsracing.com/pdf-links Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Stig Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 I would remove the carpet and drill a 2in diameter hole in the tunnel side in line with the plug so at least you can get right beside the thing. Then any number of tools could be used to clamp, hammer, chisel out the old plug and replace with new. Then fabricate a round removable cover for the hole using small piece of alloy for next time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 Ditto, Stig. I'm all about the service port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian 7 Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 2" diameter hole is good but mine has a six inch square piece cut out of the tunnel and then an oversize piece of aluminum held in with 4 screws. Makes it even easier to work on tranny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian 7 Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 Just remembered that the 6" square opening is in line with the speedo cable plug in the tranny and that I do have a 2" hole for drain plug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelD Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 I like the idea of having an opening to get to the speedo linkage. Without one connecting and disconnecting the speedo can be a real PIA. Especially when you are on your back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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