Tranny fluid change.. a learning experience ehem

[jaredk]

So I figured i'd share this. I (for the first time ever) decided to change the tranny fluid/filter. Used the good ol' Haynes book which either failed to mention the front driveshaft, cat converters, tranny and frame get in the way of removing the pan or I just couldn't figure out how to get the pan off. I ended up unbolting the front drive shaft and raising it and getting the pan out that way. Of course after fooling around with the thing for about a half hour first. Then it was a blast getting the gasket to stay on with so little space to work the pan around.

BTW... I probably smeared a little grease I used for the gasket inside the pan while I was trying to put it back on. That's not really a problem, is it?

So... I really like doin this stuff and it saves tons of money, but please tell me it gets easier over time. I only recently got into doing stuff to my truck myself.

Next up, transfer case fluid... if I don't break the truck first!

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

1) Grease is a-ok, as long as none got into the tranny itself.

2) Next time the pan is down, spend $7 and get a drain plug kit for the pan.

3) It definitley gets easier, faster, and more fun. You also will start taking on more challenges. (and buying the tools to do it).

 

[aldive]

Next time, do a flush; no mess, no fuss.

 

[pax]

Use fine fish line to tie down the gasket to the pan. With the knots on the ouside. Once the pan is up, put the bolts on loosely and then cut the fish line and pull it out. I don't know whether you have space to cut the line on the 5L engine. The fish line medthod worked ok on all my cars. The gasket is lined up perfectly everytime, never moved off.

 

[Scott B.]

Some gaskets (WIX, for instance) have the bolt holes punched slightly smaller than the bolt. That way, you place the gasket on the pan, push all the bolts up through the pan/gasket, and put the entire assembly up against the tranny. This also ensures you do not have a corner of the gasket folded.

 

[Rhett]

On the 2nd/3rd gen it's a lot more difficult to drop the pan because of the crossmembers, etc. For those applications, I recommend a drain plug.

The fishing line method posted above sounds pretty good. What I do is put two bolts thru their holes in the pan; and then place the gasket on the pan. These two bolts hold the gasket in place, and each hand holds the bolts in place as I raise the pan back onto the bottom of the transmission.

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

well i guess i'm glad i have a 1st gen, it was easy as pie


i've never had a problem keeping the gasket in place,

whenever i replace the tranny pan gasket i always cover the gasket in Blue RTV silicone gasket maker, this ensures no leakage, and the gasket maker holds the gasket to the pan and then i just line it up and put the bolts through