Did another ATF change on the Rendezvous...

[radtech91]

Did a pan drop on the Rendezvous yesterday. Fluid was predominately red look to it but it had a pretty good brown tint too, must have been from the 4-5 qts left over that was in there before from the burnt fluid left from the last change. Anyhow got 8qts out again replaced the filter with a new GM transmission filter. Cleaned the pan, had a good amount of shavings on the magnet, but no where near the amount as before. I replaced with 7 1/2 qts of Valvoline Dex-VI and a bottle of Lubegard.

After we were done I took it out for a drive to get it shifting through all the gears. Shifts are way firmer and now downshifts easily, no hesitation. Took it through hilly backroads and up over 70MPH on the highway. It did fantastic!

My mother took it today and said it was way better now than before.
I guess all it needed was another pan drop. Glad we only spent about $100 instead of a few hundred for a transmission shop to take a look.

 

[SZR48207]

It's really not too bad compared to an oil change. It's definitely something that anyone capable of changing oil can do.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: Reddy45
It's really not too bad compared to an oil change. It's definitely something that anyone capable of changing oil can do.



I assume the Rendevous has the 4T65E?
The only thing difficult about changing the ATF is that oftentimes the filter is hard to remove from the transmission. I have had to break it and remove the plastic piece with a screwdriver more than once.

 

[RegDunlop]

same problem with the 4t60E or is does that filter come out with less hassle?

 

[WishIhadatruck]

Glad the extra pan drop was the fix.

I've never had a problem getting the filters out of either a 4T60E or a 4T65E. They have a great place to grab onto them with a pair of channel lock pliers right under the spout. I just wiggle them and 10-20 sec. later they pop out. Changing out the spout seal is a major pain so I just feel to see if it is damaged at all and if it feels good and fits tight I don't change them. I haven't changed one in years.

 

[Letter_K]

Originally Posted By: WishIhadatruck
Changing out the spout seal is a major pain so I just feel to see if it is damaged at all and if it feels good and fits tight I don't change them. I haven't changed one in years.


The filter is good sized and easy to grab with both hands and wiggle loose. Put one hand on the end away from the seal and put your other with your index and middle finger around the spout and wiggle it loose.

IIRC there is a clip to slide the edge into to get the filter into the proper position. The spout seal has always stayed in and I've reused it too. It's just a plastic piece, doesn't wear out and it doesn't do much except hold the filter in place.

Not sure if there is much difference between the factory filter and a Filter King sold by Advance Auto, but they carry both and you can use a coupon code for either one.

 

[The_Eric]

A miniature slide hammer for pulling pilot bearings makes getting that seal out a snap.