replacing transmission cooling lines

[dmr1203]

How hard is it to replace this line? I can buy it from the dealer and it is pre-forged into the exact shape of the original(85.00). How hard is it to replace it myself?

Aamco has had my car for 4 days, and every day they tell me that the part has not come in yet. I defenitely want to go back with the aluminum line, I just want to know if I can replace it myself without jacking the car up. Is this possible?

 

[Cali' Explorer]

The hose is basically just Fuel/Rubber Tubing. I don't remember the exact size, but mine started leaking and I just went and bought new hose for about $2.00 and replaced it myself.

You can do it without jacking the car up, but you may have to removed the plastic cover that goes around the color.

All you do is remove the hose clamps, pull the lines, put the clamps on the new hoses and replace the clamps. Takes about 30 minutes. And you should have a quart of tranny (it shouldn't lose more than a half quart) for the fluid that you lose from changing it.

 

[dmr1203]

this is an aluminum line. I tried to cut it, but cannot do it...........it is 3/16 line.

 

[dmr1203]

this line is the inlet line into the radiator.

 

[Cali' Explorer]

ahh, this must be the 4.0, I have the 5.0 a little different hehe.

Can't help you there man, good luck though.

 

[dmr1203]

I have the 5.0 as well, it is an EB 1996

 

[jgilbs]

well, cutting it wont help. I havent had to do this, so im not sure what fittings they use on your year, but when I replaced my radiator on my 92, i saw the fittings looked like brake fittings but bigger. if this is the case, all youll need is the right sized flare wrench(so u dont round off the nuts) and the line to replace it. check the routing of it and see if you think it will be hard to snake the line thru. if it doesnt look too hard, then it prob isnt. 3/16 is standard brake line, so DONT pay $80 for it!! just goto napa or somewhere and get the appropriate length(they have up to 60" i believe - i got my 60" armored cable for like $4) just make sure to get standard(not metric) fittings and you should be fine. also, a tube bender to shape the line is very helpful,but not neccasary as long as you dont kink the line when bending by hand. good luck.

 

[jgilbs]

also, dont be afraid to jack the car up! you can get a 3 ton floor jack, 2 3 ton jackstands and a very nice creeper from home depot for only like $35. great price, and you will get lots of use out of it, since once you own the tools you are more likely to take on more repairs yourself.

 

[dmr1203]

I just got off the phone with my Advance Discount auto part guy, and he tells me that I can buy rubber tubing to go on the end that I broke(it is about 3 inches from the top radiator bolt) and use a clamp and then a special fitting that can screw into my radiator. He tells me that these lines are not under really high pressure and I can do all of this for under 10.00. What do you guys think?

Any idea what the size of the radiator bolt is? My car is at Aamco, and I am going to fix it in the parking lot(it has been there for 4 days and they have not even started). I can't go there and measure it, so if anyone knows what the size is, I will be grateful.