My fear at this point would not be so much about getting the socket itself out as it would be damaging something in the process. If you just want to get the socket out, probably the screwdriver tool shown, but I don’t know how you’re gonna pull it off with causing any more damage. And yes nearly every socket size on a vehicle is metric nowadays, most everything I can think of but the oil drain plug and the spark plugs on my truck are metric. On the newer vehicles, everything is metric.

This is the summary of it

Problem at this point is I saw some youtube videos where the tube was removable so the top of the tube is jacked up. Buddy is a welder and can fix that part easily, but doesn't want me cutting the tube because he wants a nice clean cut to weld to. So I am standing down til he's back in town next week June 10-11. Whoever suggested a blind bearing puller may be the winner. I picked one up at harbor freight. It fits into the 3/8 socket and latches on really, really tight. But I can't tight it without the tube cut off, so we're still at a standstill on it. I showed my buddy the screwdriver idea and he said we may try that as well. Worst case he's going to weld an extension to the socket after we cut the tube down.

Long story short about a half dozen of these ideas are in play - I'll report back once we solve it. We are definitely getting this thing out.

Yeah I haven't worked on newer vehicles as much. That's stupid

I haven’t really either. Mine is nearly 20 years old. From what I’ve seen dropping the pan for a transmission service on these newer vehicles requires an act of congress. A lot has changed from the 4 speed transmission and a naturally aspirated v8. I’ll say, as far as jap cars go, Honda has done a very good job with making their vehicles easy to maintain. You can change transmission fluid and engine oil in one of their cars with a regular automatic transmission in about 30 minutes, if not less. Regarding this situation, it sounds like to me it’s going to require a good welder to get this out. The next question is will the plug be rounded off, it’s one thing to extract a rounded off bolt (spent 2 days getting a rounded off transmission pan bolt out once), a rounded off plug you might end up leaving it in until it throws a misfire code. I can somewhat relate to this feeling, changing the spark plugs on my 5.4 and listening to them creaking as I extracted them, I remember all the guys at the auto parts store just saying “good luck”, I managed to get all of mine out without breaking off a plug. I know people who had to call out mechanics to extract a broken off plug. You may try blasting it with liquid wrench like was suggested above, might give you enough give just to get the socket out, once you get the plug out it’ll smoke like crazy, but nothing to worry about.

The 5/8 socket isn't even close to grabbing on the plug, so I don't think it'll be rounded off. The other 3 broke loose pretty easily. And worst case there are a number of options on amazon for sockets that grab on stripped bolts so I think we'll be able to figure it out if it's an issue.

This whole thing has frustrated mom. I think she's actually debating trading the Camry in on a Honda CR-V once this episode is over

If you could install an air fitting on the socket, then inject compressed air, it will blow the socket back out. There is probably no way to seal off any type of fitting though.

I thought about filling the area underneath the socket with gunpowder, but again you'd have to seal it off so that wouldn't work.

Maybe you could drill the square hole on the socket round, then tap it. Then get a Cup puller and run a bolt down through the metal cup on top of the hole and tighten. It may pull the socket out.

There is a youtube video where a guy grinds away the socket but I don't know what kind of grinder would get down in there.

How far down below the top of the Tube is the socket?

Put some gorilla glue on that extension stick it in that socket and lube the tube and pull it out

Blind bearing puller for the win! TFF saved me $6k

Whoever suggested blind bearing puller and/or the freeze spray (this stuff loosened it up a good bit) holler at me on PM - 24 pack of your beverage of choice on my porch next time you're coming through east side of town.

I love it when a plan come together....
.

I knew you’d beat it!!

Way to go.

Now quit with the crazy thoughts about getting rid of the Camry.

Hell yah !