Suggestions on how to remove sticky transmission cooler outlet "quick-connect" fitting on 2001 Lincoln Continental?
So, I'm about 2 hours into this job already in preparation to pump out old transmission fluid through the cooler outlet line via idling the car. It's the recommended procedure from Ford/Lincoln. I've done this 5 yrs ago on the same fitting. I do recall it was a son-of-a gun to get out before too. Hand force alone didn't get it done. I probably used a combination of vice grips & pliers to squeeze the plastic tabs, and then push/pull the line to remove it. So far no luck. It's nearly 25 yrs old so these original fittings are only crustier today. The 2002 Lincoln I owned prior to this also had trouble getting this line off without a combination of hand tools. Those clips that keep the lines from coming out are a pain too......took 45 min just to get that off (step #4).
The trans fluid on the car was previously changed at 25K, and 49K miles....both with filters. Now at 74K miles. Fluid still looks "good" in a slightly darker maroon color. No shifting issues ever. But these AX4N FWD transmissions designed for a V6 Taurus tend to beat up trans fluid a lot faster than most transmissions.
Any thoughts on how to get this line removed faster? Diagram below (step #5). I know they have special tools for the later Ford fittings where a simple wrench slipped over the fittings quickly releases it. But those fittings don't have these plastic winged tabs. I've been doing my own transmission changes on these Lincolns for the past 10 yrs.....really don't trust the shops to do it right. If my pan had a drain plug in it I'd probably just do drain & fills at this point. Of course it doesn't get easier now that I'm over 70.
https://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00186.pdf
So, I'm about 2 hours into this job already in preparation to pump out old transmission fluid through the cooler outlet line via idling the car. It's the recommended procedure from Ford/Lincoln. I've done this 5 yrs ago on the same fitting. I do recall it was a son-of-a gun to get out before too. Hand force alone didn't get it done. I probably used a combination of vice grips & pliers to squeeze the plastic tabs, and then push/pull the line to remove it. So far no luck. It's nearly 25 yrs old so these original fittings are only crustier today. The 2002 Lincoln I owned prior to this also had trouble getting this line off without a combination of hand tools. Those clips that keep the lines from coming out are a pain too......took 45 min just to get that off (step #4).
The trans fluid on the car was previously changed at 25K, and 49K miles....both with filters. Now at 74K miles. Fluid still looks "good" in a slightly darker maroon color. No shifting issues ever. But these AX4N FWD transmissions designed for a V6 Taurus tend to beat up trans fluid a lot faster than most transmissions.
Any thoughts on how to get this line removed faster? Diagram below (step #5). I know they have special tools for the later Ford fittings where a simple wrench slipped over the fittings quickly releases it. But those fittings don't have these plastic winged tabs. I've been doing my own transmission changes on these Lincolns for the past 10 yrs.....really don't trust the shops to do it right. If my pan had a drain plug in it I'd probably just do drain & fills at this point. Of course it doesn't get easier now that I'm over 70.
https://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00186.pdf
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