Just changed my gear oil in my 99 SE 5 speed. I could not find anything at the bottom of the tranny that looked like a drain plug. I removed a small bolt (14mm) that was kind of near the bottom on an angle, and most of the oil did drain out. I then refilled the tranny, buttoned everything up, and took a short test drive. When I was pouring the used oil into a jug, I found a small spring and a ball bearing in the drain pan. Damn. I assume they came out of the hole where I removed that plug (not the drain plug, what the hell is it?). Anyway, I need to know what order the two things go into the hole. Does the ball bearing go in first, then the spring, then the plug? Or does the spring go in first, then the ball bearing, then the plug? I have no idea what this is for, but I assume it serves a purpose.. Before I do the job all over again I want to be sure I put it back together correctly. BTW, where the hell is the drain plug on a 99 5 Speed? I still had to suck out another qt or so after I drained it from what I guess was not the drain plug.

 

This has happened to a number of us, so don't feel so bad. You probably pulled the 1st and 2nd gear detent check ball and spring. Your shifter in first and second should feel REALLY smooth, in fact it may pop out of gear if you don't put it in enough. I've driven 10K miles with my spring and check ball out, because I'm lazy and the boltscrew stripped the threads. I just need to visegrip it out, but I'm just too lazy. I found the actual drain plug after my whole discovery...it's on the side of the tranny by the crossmember. When the ball and spring fell out, I thought..."Great, my tranny's falling apart."

On the lighter side of things, I can engage my tranny in 1st gear at 4 MPH, whereas with the ball and spring in place, I have to be below 2 MPH. Secondly with my STS, it feels perfect. No gear pop-outs, and it just glides into 1st and 2nd...3rd, 4th, and 5th feel more notchy and take more effort to get in gear. I suppose I'll fix the ball and spring before summer ends, but I kinda like it without them.

 

OK, I don't feel so bad... I assume that the ball goes in first, then the spring, then the bolt, right? I did notice that it went into first real sloppy-like, so that explains it... I am draining the sucker now... Nothing like doing things twice... Thanks....

 

Does it hurt anything to have the spring or the ball out? I had the spring fall out, but I don't know if the ball fell out too. I will check my drain pan. I put the spring back in and the car shifts very normal, so is it possible the ball never fell out. Thanks.