97 Buick Park Ave Transmission Oil

OK. Well as a guy who drives less than 500 miles a year, I'm going to flush and change ATF once every 10 years from now on. However, this time it's been 14 years. So I'd better get er done soon.
 
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Do you guys have suggestions for where to shop for a new transmission pan with a drain plug?
 
Carlostrece said:
How can I figure out if my trans pan has 6 or 8 millimeter bolts? Must I remove a bolt to measure bolt shaft diameter, or can I know bolt size by the size wrench that fits the bolt head?
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For a 6mm bolt, the head will be a 10mm.

For, an 8mm bolt, the head will be 13 (DIN) or 12mm (JIS).

Or, I suppose you could ask it, since that seems to work in other areas on BITOG…you know, “My car likes ____” … 😏
 
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OK. Thanks. I bought an SKP pan with 6mm bolts. The SKP pan cost $16 before shipping and sales tax. SKP is half the cost of a Dorman pan.
 
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Carlostrece said:
OK. Thanks. I bought an SKP pan with 6mm bolts. The SKP pan cost $16 before shipping and sales tax. SKP is half the cost of a Dorman pan.
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A couple inexpensive items I would get for your 4T60E or 4T65E transmission to install for your next pan drop. I put these on my transmission when I had a 97 Lesabre about ten years ago. There are also shift kits available if you want to firm up and improve shift times if you wish to install.

These are the simple upgrades.

https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2534-differential-lube-tube-retainer-kit

Pan magnet addition/upgrade which also applies to your 97 transmission. TSB 08-07-30-040C.
GM magnet part # 29535617. Rock Auto should have them. You will need two to install in specific places per the TSB..
 
I ordered 2 of the pan magnets and 1 differential lube retainer kit from Rock Auto as recommened by Lubener. A few days earlier, I already ordered a new SKP trans pan with 6mm bolt holes and a drain plug.

Thanks everyone for your helpful advice! I have another question in next post.
 
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Here's what Sonnax says about the Sonnax Differential Lube Retainer Kit:

===
The flexible hose for the differential lube tube line softens as temperature increases in GM 4T60-E and 4T65-E units, causing pressure in the line to blow the steel tube out of the accumulator cover, resulting in loss of critical lube oil.

Sonnax differential lube tube retainer kit 84532-01K clamps the lube tube securely in place, preventing loss of critical lube oil.

Kit Contents: Top Clamp, Bottom Clamp, Screw
===

I'm wondering why the kit doesn't include a new/replacement flexible hose. Should I buy a new/replacement flexible hose separately?
 
Carlostrece said:
Here's what Sonnax says about the Sonnax Differential Lube Retainer Kit:

===
The flexible hose for the differential lube tube line softens as temperature increases in GM 4T60-E and 4T65-E units, causing pressure in the line to blow the steel tube out of the accumulator cover, resulting in loss of critical lube oil.

Sonnax differential lube tube retainer kit 84532-01K clamps the lube tube securely in place, preventing loss of critical lube oil.

Kit Contents: Top Clamp, Bottom Clamp, Screw
===

I'm wondering why the kit doesn't include a new/replacement flexible hose. Should I buy a new/replacement flexible hose separately?
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From what I recall, it was a set of metal or hard plastic tubes, not rubber. Mine was indeed sliding out, I pushed it back in prior to installing the retainer. I don't know why they called it flexible. I would buy it (it's inexpensive) and install it, atleast when you drop the pan next time. The two magnet upgrade should be done as well and installed in the specified locations on the pan as specified. I think on a 4T65E which basically is similiar to the 4T60E tranny, one magnet got put on the filter.
 
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Lubener said:
From what I recall, it was a set of metal or hard plastic tubes, not rubber. Mine was indeed sliding out, I pushed it back in prior to installing the retainer. I don't know why they called it flexible. I would buy it (it's inexpensive) and install it, atleast when you drop the pan next time. The two magnet upgrade should be done as well and installed in the specified locations on the pan as specified. I think on a 4T65E which basically is similiar to the 4T60E tranny, one magnet got put on the filter.
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Do you know what the part number(s) of the tube(s) is? Can I order the tube(s) from Rock Auto? I'm not talented at figuring this stuff out, but I can follow directions.
 
Carlostrece said:
Do you know what the part number(s) of the tube(s) is? Can I order the tube(s) from Rock Auto? I'm not talented at figuring this stuff out, but I can follow directions.
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I do not know the part numbers but I don't see a reason to replace if the retainer is used. I wouldn't believe Rock would have them and due to the age, those tubes may not be available anymore at the dealer. That transmission has been discontinued for a couple decades by now.
 
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