Tips & Tricks for transmission filter change?

[hammong]

I'm going to be changing my auto transmission filter and fluid for the first time in the next week. Are there any tips or tricks I need to do to make this go smoothly?



Greg

 

[Fireman Dave]

Greg,



I bought a big clear tupperware/rubbermaid container to use as a drainpan. I measured the pan to get a size big enough. First, I started loosening the bolts - loosen the rear a little more first to let it tip a little and drain. After it drains awhile, remove all of the pan bolts, and carefully drop it down. Remember - it has quite a bit of fluid left - a little akward and heavy as it moves around while you lower it. Dump it all in the container and let the transmission drain. Remove the filter and let it drain and drain. Some guys let it drain overnight. If you do, put a note on you're steering wheel to remind you in case you try to start it in an overnight emergency.



I let mine drain while I cleaned the old gasket off the pan and cleaned the pan. Check the pan magnet - shouldn't see much more than fine metal dust. Put the new gasket on the pan dry. Put on the new filter, then the pan. Tighten the bolts alternately - like wheel lugnuts. Fill with new fluid. Retighten pan bolts a couple times after starting and driving (as the gasket seats).



I got about 9 and 1/2 qts out this way - pretty good, I thought. I will change it yearly - not as infrequently as the manual says. By changing it more often, I see no real need to flush it. It'll have new fluid going in pretty regularly this way. A gasket scraper is really needed for the pan. Make sure all the old gasket comes off. Be careful not to damage the pan or trans. gasket surfaces. The gasket will probably all be on the pan. Cardboard down under the truck will help keep the mess contained, although I had very little spillage with my handy-dandy drainpan. The clear pan was also nice for fluid inspection.



Have fun!



Dave

 

[danandamy]

only have to go through this once

Changing the fluid in the transmission can really suck. No matter how careful you are, you're gonna take a fluid bath to one extent or another. It's not a bad time to think about adding a mag hytec pan, it has a drain plug in it and a port for transmission temp gauge if you so choose to utilize it. It's a little pricy but a fine piece of workmanship and you'll want to add it later when you bomb the transmission anyway. If you don't want to buy a mag hytec right now, get a drain plug kit. You can get them at most any auto parts store. They're usually only a couple of bucks. You basically drill a 1/2 inch hole in the pan and add the drain plug. Bottom line, you will have to take the transmission fluid bath this time, but eliminate having to do it again. When you can drain the fluid out first, it makes the filter change 10 times easier.

 

[Stefan Kondolay]

Make sure that when you are taking the last bolt out that you have a hand holding the pan up and don't let it fall. I have taken a couple of baths.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Get a big piece of plastic from Home Depot/Lowes or where ever and spread it out under the truck. Will catch the gallon or so of oil that will miss the pan and is a lot easier to slide around on than concrete . Oh, make sure the pan's not hot before you drain - stuff can really burn. Good luck!

 

[GBenson]

u want to know the best and cleanest way to do it , i founf the lowest part of the pan and punched a hole in it and let it drain out i had a b&m drainplug kit here which requires no welding but i modifyed it so it would drain completly and tig welded it on i have a tig so i can do that or u can take it to your local welder and have him do it and now i never willl get messy again just pull the plug and go



george benson