Trans pan dent ok or not

[donalds]

I found a dent in my trans pan I don't know (yet) how it happened but do I need to fix now or can it wait until the next fluid filter change witch is in 20 000 miles roughly

 

[donalds]

I called my guy sent him this pic he said it will be fine

Still want you experienced explorer guys and girls opinions thanks

 

[shucker1]

Pretty good size dent right in the lowest part of the pan where the filter sits.

I would hate to find out the hard way I knocked the filter lose...

Just saying.

 

[fast_dave]

Pretty good size dent right in the lowest part of the pan where the filter sits.

I would hate to find out the hard way I knocked the filter lose...

Just saying.

^^^ This and the the possibility that the dent bent the filter up so far from being level that it cracked the plastic fluid pipe (or plastic upper body of the filter) , and you're pulling unfiltered fluid through your transmission.

Regardless, it can't be good.

 

[Mr. Alligator]

Ouch. I would address that as soon as I could. Transmission fluid change mileage would be the least of my concerns...

But that being said, I think you will be ok.

Good luck.

 

[donalds]

Needless to say I am pi$_ed
That trans only has 7500 miles on it
Ill have to fix it soon hope it don't break
I can't fix until Friday

 

[CDW6212R]

It may have hurt the filter. The pan will be fine to just remove and tamp the bottom flat again. No need to buy a new pan or fluid, It needs a new filter and about three quarts of Mercon V to do the job. Drive it easy and little right now, pay close attention to how the transmission works and sounds. Avoid high rpm until you R&R the pan and filter. You should be fine.

 

[koda2000]

Donalds, I'd pull the trans pan, and hammer that dent out ASAP. I'd also replace the trans filter in case it got whacked.

Don, I think you a bit light on your trans fluid refill quantity. When I changed the filter on my '01 5R55E I checked the fluid level before dropping the pan and found it to be right where it was supposed to be. Then I measured how much drained out and found it to be 4.5 Qts. After replacing the filter (and adding a drain plug to the pan) I refilled it with 4.5 Qts of Mercon V. After driving around a bit I rechecked the fluid level and if was right where it was when I started (don't see how it could not have been). I don't think the refill quantity would be different on a '99.

 

[CDW6212R]

Donalds, I'd pull the trans pan, and hammer that dent out ASAP. I'd also replace the trans filter in case it got whacked.

Don, I think you a bit light on your trans fluid refill quantity. When I changed the filter on my '01 5R55E I checked the fluid level before dropping the pan and found it to be right where it was supposed to be. Then I measured how much drained out and found it to be 4.5 Qts. After replacing the filter (and adding a drain plug to the pan) I refilled it with 4.5 Qts of Mercon V. After driving around a bit I rechecked the fluid level and if was right where it was when I started (don't see how it could not have been). I don't think the refill quantity would be different on a '99.

I'm assuming some ATF will be lost dropping the pan. He needs to catch it all and reuse it if he can.

It doesn't need any fluid change, but it would be smart to have a few extra quarts, in case a bunch got dropped or contaminated etc. It's maybe about six quarts to replace what comes out when changing just the filter. There's over 12 quarts in the trans, from dry. Mine took almost 15 when I had my valve body out for over a day, and installed a deeper pan. I also briefly pumped ATF out of the cooler line until it burped once, to push as much out as I could.

I just checked ATF prices a few days ago, ouch, $6.50 for the old Mercon, and $7.50 for Mercon V, from a parts store. That's crazy.

 

[koda2000]

Yeah, that's one reason I added a drain plug. Much easier/neater way to get the old fluid out. No matter how careful you try to be on a pan drop it wants to go everywhere. Also, in the case where you could reuse it you can drain it w/out getting any debris in it. Last time I bought Mercon V Advance had it in sale for $2 Qt on-line. Wish They'd do that again. $7.50 a quart is ridiculous. Walmart Tech brand Mercon V is only $5.50 (still a lot).

 

[donalds]

I will try to catch the fluid and reuse it I bought 6 qts of merc v
I went and bought a new filter but if the filter is not damaged I will leave it fix the pan and replace just the gasket witch is rubber new one and the old one I am gonna remove the cat all the way it was just off when new engine went in less than 2000 miles ago so it should come off easy I am gonna post pics. Anyone have filter torque spec and pan bolts spec thanks

 

[donalds]

Also I was gonna paint the pan black and knock the dent out with a price of wood and a hammer

Any suggestions on how to remove the dent will be great hay your ideas may work better than mine

 

[koda2000]

Piece of wood and a hammer sounds good to me. It doesn't need to be perfect. You just don't want to do anything to warp the part where the gasket seals.

Can't help you with torque specs for the filter bolt or pan bolts (I don't torque stuff like that cause I have a good feel for small bolts). Torque wont be much, probably something in inch pounds. 37 inch pounds maybe?

 

[donalds]

Lol I torque fasteners because I break them
I break them so much my friends got me a set of torque wrenches clicker type
I bought the inch pound beam style when I did the rear end
I love my 150 foot pound beam for lug nuts
Yes I strip snap lugs even with just a half in ratchet my friends call me ogre I guess for a reason lol

 

[swshawaii]

fluid-pan-gasket-and-filter-in-vehicle-repair.pdf

 

[donalds]

fluid-pan-gasket-and-filter-in-vehicle-repair.pdf

Thanks great info

 

[Mbrooks420]

150 pounds is WAY too much for lug nuts on an Explorer. You’re asking for a wheel to break off due to stretched and weakened lugs. I wouldn’t be super concerned about reusing stuff. A transmission is very expensive, and I’d not want to risk it for the cost of a filter and a few quarts of fluid. A little bit of dirt can cause a lot of damage on its way through until the filter grabs it.

If I was insistent on saving the fluid, I’d suck it out if the dipstick with a cheap pump, and not try and catch it from a dropping pan.

 

[donalds]

Just because the torque wrench will go to 150 don't mean I can go that far I torque lug nuts to 100 foot pounds

As for re-sueing the atf I got new fluid we will see if I can catch it ok sure if I clean the pan bottom and catch it in a clean container and run it through a fine screen and nothing gets in it I don't see why not to re-use it

I don't have a pump I don't want to try to find one

But only if it is clean will I use it
That trans is a year old I wouldn't put dirty fluid in there

 

[Mbrooks420]

Harbor freight has cheapy pumps for under 10.

 

[donalds]

Good idea but I dont even beg to know where a harber freight is around here maybe in Raleigh but that an hour drive away