Spent more than 2 hours replacing ATF filter and pan gasket today. Don't have jack stands, drove to BIL borrow 2 jack stands and TORX socket. The ATF, filter and gasket was changed about 5-6 years ago at 85k miles, the odo is 141k miles now. It started to have a small leak few months ago. So it's good time to redo the ATF.
Used the Mityvac to siphon about 3-5-3.6 quarts before raised the front end, put jack stands with 2x4 under the rail, also have 2 jacks under the frame too. It took less than 10 minutes to siphon the ATF, but a full 30 minutes to raise the front end and have jack stands and jacks under the car. Yes, the rear tires was blocked with 2x4.
Getting under the car to unscrew the drain pan 6 bolts, 1 torx bolt was slightly stripped had to use vise grip pliers. As soon as the last bolt was removed, ATF pour down from the transmission and filter into the drain pan and onto the oil change container (some ATF was spilled onto the floor too). The ATF drain pan was very much emptied when I used the Mityvac 40-45 minutes before. Let the ATF dripped for 25-30 minutes while replacing the pan gasket and removed the filter. The ATF in the Mtyvac was 3.5-3.6 qts and another 3/4 quarts now in the drain pan and the oil container, so the total was about 4.2-4.3 qts was drained from the transmission.
Now the hard part. The drain pan with 2 small magnets is a little heavy, it has some weird clips to hold the pan in place with the bolts, there was no room under the car to use one hand to hold the drain pan and the clip at the same time so the other hand the screw on the bolt.
Get out under the car, looking for something that the drain pan can rest on it but high enough to flush with bottom of the AFT case. Found 3 old boxes, stack them up but a little too high, compress them down a little and it fit perfect. Screw 6 bolts by hand first, then use the torx socket to torque with the star pattern to 10 lb-ft.
Lower the car and fill with 4 quarts Shell ATF-134, started the engine then shifted from park to all gears 2-3 times and let engine idle for 15 minutes, used ATF measuring tool the level was at the low of the 80C range. The transmission temp probably was less than 80C for 15 minutes idle. Will measure again tomorrow after a good highway drive.
Total time spent was 2.5-3.0 hours, the shop can do it in less than 20 minutes with a lift. The filter was very easy to remove and install, just pull the old filter out and push the new one in, done in less than 1 minute. Same for the drain pan rubber gasket, remove and install gasket should be done in less than 1 minute. For serious DIY, lift is essential and it can save a lot of time for any work under the the car.
Next ATF filter and gasket job will be done at the trusted mechanic. Saving $50 to spend 3 hours under stress is not worth it. The only positive is the work was done correctly.
Used the Mityvac to siphon about 3-5-3.6 quarts before raised the front end, put jack stands with 2x4 under the rail, also have 2 jacks under the frame too. It took less than 10 minutes to siphon the ATF, but a full 30 minutes to raise the front end and have jack stands and jacks under the car. Yes, the rear tires was blocked with 2x4.
Getting under the car to unscrew the drain pan 6 bolts, 1 torx bolt was slightly stripped had to use vise grip pliers. As soon as the last bolt was removed, ATF pour down from the transmission and filter into the drain pan and onto the oil change container (some ATF was spilled onto the floor too). The ATF drain pan was very much emptied when I used the Mityvac 40-45 minutes before. Let the ATF dripped for 25-30 minutes while replacing the pan gasket and removed the filter. The ATF in the Mtyvac was 3.5-3.6 qts and another 3/4 quarts now in the drain pan and the oil container, so the total was about 4.2-4.3 qts was drained from the transmission.
Now the hard part. The drain pan with 2 small magnets is a little heavy, it has some weird clips to hold the pan in place with the bolts, there was no room under the car to use one hand to hold the drain pan and the clip at the same time so the other hand the screw on the bolt.
Get out under the car, looking for something that the drain pan can rest on it but high enough to flush with bottom of the AFT case. Found 3 old boxes, stack them up but a little too high, compress them down a little and it fit perfect. Screw 6 bolts by hand first, then use the torx socket to torque with the star pattern to 10 lb-ft.
Lower the car and fill with 4 quarts Shell ATF-134, started the engine then shifted from park to all gears 2-3 times and let engine idle for 15 minutes, used ATF measuring tool the level was at the low of the 80C range. The transmission temp probably was less than 80C for 15 minutes idle. Will measure again tomorrow after a good highway drive.
Total time spent was 2.5-3.0 hours, the shop can do it in less than 20 minutes with a lift. The filter was very easy to remove and install, just pull the old filter out and push the new one in, done in less than 1 minute. Same for the drain pan rubber gasket, remove and install gasket should be done in less than 1 minute. For serious DIY, lift is essential and it can save a lot of time for any work under the the car.
Next ATF filter and gasket job will be done at the trusted mechanic. Saving $50 to spend 3 hours under stress is not worth it. The only positive is the work was done correctly.
