Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Trans Service, Cooler Line Replace

[garylmoore]

I am accumulating parts to service the transmission and replace the oil cooler hard lines and hoses. I have a few questions:

The Amsoil site shows Total fluid capacity of 16.9 quart. Is this correct?

Is a premium fluid an advantage on a 240k daily driver truck with only occasional hauling?

Since I will be doing a total fluid change and breaking all the lines, is there going to be an issue getting the air out of the system?
Thank you. Gary

 

[Timd32]

I've not had air issues doing what you described.

Any real ATF+4 should be fine for a stock ride it's already a full synthetic.

I usually picked up 2 cases, just because they are easier to carry. But at today's prices I might have to rethink that move.

There is this little hydraulic shop right down the road from me, I struggled with the replacement hard lines to the point where I considered heading to them to make up some hoses of sorts for all these hard lines.

At the same time I have basically ruined my 2nd Gen, so there is that. But before I ruined it I did exactly what you listed above, except went with ATF+4 because its a great fluid by the numbers I researched back then.

 

[garylmoore]

Thank you for the information! I can save a little money there.
The hard lines are right at $310 a set delivered but the price of the rubber lines was unexpected. Chrysler wants $300 for the two lines, Napa priced me $200 for the two.

 

[BigPapa]

Dave Goerend told me any ATF+4 was fine. Initially I bought a 5 gallon pail of their house brand from our lube distributor. After that I used O'Reilly's Global ATF.

If your TC doesn't have a drain in it you won't be able to get it all out, so you want need 4+ gallons.

Are your lines leaking? I guess if I was towing a huge 5th wheel hundreds or thousands of miles from home I might do it as PM, but for my use, I'd run them till they leaked. EVERY person I've heard of that has replaced the lines with hoses has had trouble. There was a 911 thread just the other day where a fellow had replaced his and it had failed and ruined his transmission a long way from home.

 

[garylmoore]

Yes, the lines are leaking. The plastic
retainers that slip over the pan bolts and hold the lines in place broke allowing the line to rub against the oilpan lip. There is a rub hole in two places of the line.

Yes, I have seen the hose kits but decided to install stock lines instead.

I called to order the lines quoted from "Lines To Go" today and found out they were not able to build them and cannot say when they will be available.

The project is not going as expected at the moment.

 

[garylmoore]

Has anyone bought the Transmission Cooler Hard Lines in the recent past? I would take any brand that did not have the name Dorman on them. I need to get it done before the temps start dropping. Thanks.

 

[Timd32]

Wonder if how I mentioned that local shop around the corner from me, a place like that might bend some new ones up for you. Using yours as a template.

I know it says hoses but there are lots of hard lines in any hydraulic system. Worth a call.

 

[BigPapa]

I would take any brand that did not have the name Dorman on them.

Something wrong with Dorman?

 

[garylmoore]

Wonder if how I mentioned that local shop around the corner from me, a place like that might bend some new ones up for you. Using yours as a template.
View attachment 135093

If the place was local, no problem. But shipping them and keeping them intact?
This box arrived today, lucky it only had plug wires inside

 

[garylmoore]

Something wrong with Dorman?

Just a number of past problems, hopefully your experience with the company has been better.

 

[BigPapa]

We’ve had to use several Dorman parts at the shop that aren’t available OE anymore. Some were coolant hose/tube assemblies. We haven’t had any issues. I don’t see how you could screw up those transmission lines as long as they fit correctly.

 

[garylmoore]

Ok, that is something to consider. What I was thinking was i had no desire to dump all that fluid if I had a problem at the swedged fitting .
I actually only have one line with the rubs so the idea is to only replace the rubbed lines and the Rubber lines.
I will price dealer parts first, they wanted 300 for the rubber lines, so they are
most likely be expensive.

 

[SAndreasen]

The worst thing about replacing the lines with hydraulic is they will Fail where they crimp the fittings so it’s always a good idea to check them as part of your preventive maintenance program. I had one that was leaking quite a bit and it was right at the crimp .

 

[Topzide]

PM is a key part of the up keep of our rigs! Any part can fail at any time. I have had a hydraulic line fail at the crimp, yet. I have had them fail from rubbing or pinching. Key thing is to have them securely mount with the least amount of free movement. This will prevent the crimps from failing prematurely. Flex and tight bends is what can cause the most problems! I'm using 1/2" hydraulic lines on my oil filter relocation. Pressure isn't the killer, it's the routing of the lines that does them in. Watch for rub points, bends and mount them tight with enough give needed only! Many lines spec on how tight of radius bend and how close to the fitting it should be. Use fittings to avoid the bends near crimps and make sure every connection is tight! A set of service wrenches are you friend! These are the wrenches that are short handled and range from 9/16 - over 2". Before I got my set, I'd cut wrenches to get in tight spots. That's why I love flea markets and yard sales or even HF to make a special purpose tool as needed. I've taken HF wrenches, cut and re weld two different sizes like 3/8 to 11/16 box to box to fit what I need for a certain task. Good luck on the repairs!

 

[garylmoore]

Nice post! Thank you.

 

[garylmoore]

I have a question, but first...
I want to thank you for all the help guys, I am getting close to the end.

My question is while I am filling, will the fluid make it way on its own thru the system filling the lines and cooler? I know at some point I need to run the truck thru the gears (with the park brake on) to push out the displaced air. I do not want to over fill.

The trans was drained, filter changed and there was very little of anything on the magnet. The pan was cleaned and reinstalled. I put the gasket in dry and torqued to 18 ft lbs.

I am pulling the two long lines today, the short one does not seem to have a problem and I did not buy it. I work for Chrysler and receive a 25% employee discount on the dealer parts. With that discount, the bill for the two long lines, filter and reusable pan seal came to $289.

The ATF+4 was a problem. Napa, Advance and Amazon only had quarts. , most at $11 each. Walmart had 1 quart total. Chrysler only had quarts (the gallons they did not have were $63), but the parts guy took pity on me, called around and found 4 gallons at O'Reilly at 29.99 each. I bought 4. That parts guy thinks that at some point there will be only one type of ATF and Chrysler will be consolidated into the Chevy/Ford atf formula that is being sold now.

Thanks.. Gary

 

[garylmoore]

ok.. trying to get the cooler line disconnect loose from the rubber hose. I use the disconnect tool for 1/2 tube right? It is being a real pig.
It may have a lot of crap in it. I sprayed some penetrating oil in there, but hasn't really helped.

 

[Timd32]

I pretty much did what had to happen to save to cooler and ruin the hose, I'm in the NE and everything is just horrible to work on.

I believe it's 1/2", but I had the multi pack thing just the cheap set so what ever it was I had it covered.

It's pretty miserable at times.

AtF+4 is not super common where I live either nor is the Amsoil. So it's kinda a lose lose there.

Amazon shows QT for $8.50 with Prime. Side note you can finance at 10%-30% APR, I truly hope Amazon is not scamming people into huge debt, I know you do it to yourself, but man what a scam they listed on there.

But the local folks are 29% uptick, so who is worse! Battle for the worst.

I highly doubt ATF+4 will merge, while there are multimix ones most are not full synthetic, but as most things nothing will be around forever, lots of oils have disappeared over the years and others taken their place, some better for the equipment others not so much.

I hope you have some success here with this part of the project.

 

[Ozymandias]

Just FYI, i just bought Hard Line connections for an AN setup to put a hydraulic filter into the system. The are easily available through Amazon and other independent vendors. So the whole setup is now only made out of AN parts.

Reason for this is a new Valve Body and I want to protect it from every dirt that comes out of the TC.

 

[garylmoore]

I believe it's 1/2", but I had the multi pack thing just the cheap set so what ever it was I had it covered.

AtF+4 is not super common where I live either nor is the Amsoil. So it's kinda a lose lose there.

I highly doubt ATF+4 will merge, while there are multimix ones most are not full synthetic, but as most things nothing will be around forever, lots of oils have disappeared over the years and others taken their place, some better for the equipment others not so much.

I hope you have some success here with this part of the project.

I bought the plastic disconnect set also. After that did not work, I went looking for a steel 1/2 tool and cannot find them. There are aluminum, but not so great reviews on those. Does someone have a good source for Snap On or Mac online where the steel tool might be available? I saw one design that was hinged and was the diameter of a silver dollar. It sure would make it easier to push on than the plastic one that is the size of a quarter. The older trucks had a fitting with a removable circlip which would solve the problem, too bad they changed that.

Of all the places that I thought would have the ATF+4, I would not have thought of O'Reilly. Even Amazon did not have ATF+4 in Gallons and Amazon has nearly everything.
I did make out on the hoses ( as long as I can get the hard lines off). The writing on the hoses was clearly legible, making me believe they had been changed at some point. Maybe the fluid is unavailable for the same reason as everything else around here, but I am glad it is not something I have to change often.

The inside of the transmission, especially the magnet looked good, so the transmission had apparently been serviced in the recent past. I would love to change that Torque Converter, but cannot see doing that without a full rebuild while I am in there.