Tranny fluid change
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
If you don't see a drain plug, you will need to drop the pan. Dropping the pan is a good idea anyway since it allows you to inspect for excess particles, etc. There are pump kits that allow you to pump out the oil, and there are methods to have the fluid pump out thru the cooler lines, but I and most tranny shops recommend dropping the pan to inspect and also change the filter.
I do not have your model so my comments are general.
I like to loosen/remove all the bolts except the 4 corner or close to corner bolts. Then I loosen one corner and the one next to it and have the drain pan under that corner. They I use a big screw driver or putty knife or( I use something called a painter's helper, kinda like a combo putty knife, wedge, can opener whatever), to break the seal between the pan and tranny, you might need a rubber mallet to knock the pan loose.
If you do this right most of the fluid will come out on one corner into the pan. You can start to loosen and remove the bolts more to get the pan to drop more. I don't usually remove all the corner bolts until I am pretty sure the pan is as low as I can get it. Then If remove the final bolts while trying to hold up the pan. Then I try to tilt the pan to drain the last of the oil.
Usually I wind up with a mess the first time. So use lots of newspapers and have a bag of kitty litter handy to soak up the spills. The tranny will continue to drip from the valve body for a long time, so keep the paper or pan handy.
While the pan is off you might consider putting in a drain plug. There are pros and cons. A drain plug makes it way easier and cleaner to drain the tranny next time, so I am more likely to perform routine maint. The cons are the plug can leak or get knocked off by a big rock or something. Also the plug might make you lazy and not remove the pan to inspect and replace the filter.
I install the plug on all my cars so that I am more willing to drain it, less mess. But I also drop the pan after it is empty to inspect etc. I install the plug so that it is out of the way of most road hazards. Be SURE to inspect the inside of the tranny and pan to determine if the plug will interfere with any internal parts BEFORE you drill, it can be very tight in there. On a chebby I have it is almost impossible to find a spot where the plug won't interfere, so I had to put in in a less than ideal place, road hazard wise.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
I do not have your model so my comments are general.
I like to loosen/remove all the bolts except the 4 corner or close to corner bolts. Then I loosen one corner and the one next to it and have the drain pan under that corner. They I use a big screw driver or putty knife or( I use something called a painter's helper, kinda like a combo putty knife, wedge, can opener whatever), to break the seal between the pan and tranny, you might need a rubber mallet to knock the pan loose.
If you do this right most of the fluid will come out on one corner into the pan. You can start to loosen and remove the bolts more to get the pan to drop more. I don't usually remove all the corner bolts until I am pretty sure the pan is as low as I can get it. Then If remove the final bolts while trying to hold up the pan. Then I try to tilt the pan to drain the last of the oil.
Usually I wind up with a mess the first time. So use lots of newspapers and have a bag of kitty litter handy to soak up the spills. The tranny will continue to drip from the valve body for a long time, so keep the paper or pan handy.
While the pan is off you might consider putting in a drain plug. There are pros and cons. A drain plug makes it way easier and cleaner to drain the tranny next time, so I am more likely to perform routine maint. The cons are the plug can leak or get knocked off by a big rock or something. Also the plug might make you lazy and not remove the pan to inspect and replace the filter.
I install the plug on all my cars so that I am more willing to drain it, less mess. But I also drop the pan after it is empty to inspect etc. I install the plug so that it is out of the way of most road hazards. Be SURE to inspect the inside of the tranny and pan to determine if the plug will interfere with any internal parts BEFORE you drill, it can be very tight in there. On a chebby I have it is almost impossible to find a spot where the plug won't interfere, so I had to put in in a less than ideal place, road hazard wise.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: vista
i am in the process of doing the same on my chebby. 2 bolts were a pain. the question i have is should i use form a gasket with the gasket i bought. and is there an easy way to lign up the gasket and pan?
