Hey Scott,

  I already have one of those drain plug tools.  I forget where I found
that, probably left over from my Porsche days, but yes, you can easily get
in there without messing with the tranny shift linkage.  And yes, I did lube
all the moving parts of the shift linkage and...AND...I lubed all the
steering and suspension components at the same time, having the van up on
jackstands.  I use that Wurth SA Besto spray lube...expensive but very very
cool stuff...goes on like WD-40 but after the penetrating carrier solvent
evaporates, it's a sticky slick very light coat that lasts on the moving
parts for at least a few months.
  Don Hanson

----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Daniel - Shazam" <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>
To: "Don Hanson" <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Cc: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 1:31 PM
Subject: Re: Trans. Oil filler plug?

>
> That was me on the 'when did you ever get to DOWNSHIT going into a hill
> in a Vanagon at 65 mph !? )
> I call it 'half a granny' on the 5 speed- first gear.
> The Real Beauty of the 5 speed is the rations and spacing of the top 3
> gears, 3rd, 4th and 5th.  top gear is nicely just a bit higher than top
> gear in a 4 speed.
> There are Euro gasoline 5 speed trans.
>
> re
>
> but on my '84 I had to
> detach the shift rod bracket from the transmission and move the rod out of
> the way to get at the plug.
>
> you just didn't have the right tool.
> When I get into my 'sellathon' on of these days, and get my shipping
system down really good, I'll be offering 'shorty 17 mm allen trans drain
plug gizmo's.  - fits in a tiny space, you just use your 17MM box wrench on
it.
> Better even than a 17 mm allen socket that fits on a ratchet - those take
up too much room.
> and..........this little tool I offer takes up no room in your took box,
and adds almost no fuel-miage-robbing weight to your road traveling Vanagon
!  Ideally I supply it with some blurbs on gear oil choices, notes about
lubing shift linkage ( everyone does that once or twice  a year right ? -
about 4 or 5 spots on the shift linkage ) etc.
> scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
>