Stuck Tranny Drain Plug, what now?

[Bonemaro]

If you are going to actually buy air tools, cheap is not usually a good choice.

Amen. I have a cheap impact that won't even remove lug nuts.

[Daniel G]

I had a transmission (out of the bus) I couldn't get the plug out of and ended stripping the plug out. Even a chisel and hammer wouldn't break it loose. So I welded a bolt into the plug, and I was able to turn it with a wrench after it cooled off.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

I think there are places for "inexpensive" air tools but an impact tool is not one of them (I have had some "cheap" tools outlast some "expensive" tools so...). It is not always easy to discern what is cheap and what is cheap but not labeled as cheap. Seen a lot of tools from sources that have a rep as cheap and seen the same tool with different paint or labeling from a well known company with the only difference being price. Maintenance is one of the main keys to longer life.

Get the best impact tool you can afford looking at the impact ratings on it. Remember, it has to be above the rating for what you want it to do (to state the obvious). An impact tool is an investment and remember to lube it with proper lube on a regular basis. I haven't used mine for years but it is still there and still usable.

[Fiatdude]

I love my Electric impact gun (Sears- Black&Decker -- used both like them) -- -- no compressor, etc etc -- and if it won't break it loose I go to a local tire guy that has a lot of those kind of tools --

second option -- -- drill it out, a little bigger each time until you can use an easy out on it -- (only if you have another plug to put back in)

[Jim Ed]

The tranny drain plug was stuck on my '73 Beetle.
The tranny is from a 1972 Beetle.

I sprayed on AERO KROIL and let it set overnight.
Then I tried to remove it with a T-Sliding bar and a ¾ IN drive 17MM hex bit socket.
It still wouldn’t budge.
I got out the heat gun and set it on high temp. and heated the drain plug for at least two minutes.
Voila! It came loose.
I then applied silver Permatex anti-sieze lube to the drain plug and torque it to about 14 ft. lbs., topped it off with AMSoil 80W90 GL-4, and torqued the fill plug to 14 ft. lbs.

The tranny drain plug is stuck on my '73 Beetle.
The tranny is from a 1972 Beetle.
Would it be better to leave it alone?
I was going to spray on some PB Blaster and then heat it with a hot air gun and try removing it again.
I did not want to try using too much force since, I thought I might crack the case and have a big leak.
If I get it out I was going to use a different drain plug coated with silver anti sieze lube and don't tighten to more than 14 ft. lbs.
Any special socket that might work best?
Any help will be appreciated!
TIA!

[Piledriver]

The heat wrench for the win again!

I love my MAPP torch with the ~4' hose...