Gear box drain plug r380

or a shovel, perhaps?

Fair point. I forgot the plug is horizontal not vertical. Surely you only need to get a 10 degree turn on it and the seal is broken though ?

only need to crack the joint.

I happened to have a low profile 32mm socket (bought for oil filter removal on a different car). It just fitted in the available space (but a normal socket wouldn't have a chance of fitting in the available space).

Same as this:

[ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Laser-Filter-Socket-32mm-3490/dp/B0032LVGXY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1265618953&sr=8-1]Laser Oil Filter Socket 32mm 3490: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike[/ame]

I used a ring spanner to crack the drain open, but for re-fitting with a torque wrench I sed the oil filter low profile socket...