Transmission fluid change/ filter change

[ravekid]

i want to completely change my transmission fluid out, but i also wanted to drop the pan and change the filter. what is the best way to go about this, adn how much fluid will i need? im pretty sure i know how yo replace the fluid without dropping the pan, but like i said i dont know the best way to both.

has any one done this???

 

[aldive]

i want to completely change my transmission fluid out, but i also wanted to drop the pan and change the filter. what is the best way to go about this, adn how much fluid will i need? im pretty sure i know how yo replace the fluid without dropping the pan, but like i said i dont know the best way to both.

has any one done this???

You want to drop the pan and replace the filter first and then after reinstalling the pan and replacing the ATF you dumper, do a complete flush.

I highly recommend Amsoil ATF for the flush.

You might want to add an external ATF filter at this time... see http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34136&highlight=transmission+filter

 

[ravekid]

So you are saying to put the dirty fluid back into tranny, and then flush it with new fluid?

any idea how much fluid i will need for a good flush (98 4.0l, 4 speed auto)??

 

[aldive]

No, no, no.... never even think of that. You put new ATF in after the pan drop.

Yes, you will actually waste this ATF.

 

[aldive]

any idea how much fluid i will need for a good flush (98 4.0l, 4 speed auto)??

Read the links that were provided, they should have the info you seek.

If I remember correctly, I use 15 quarts of Amsoil ATF to do the flush ( plus whatever you need for the pan drop ).

 

[ravekid]

thanks!!! i appreciate your help!!!

 

[Iowa Hick]

You want to find out if your explorer has had the fluid changed before though, if it hasn't then changing the fluid can cause you transmission to go out

 

[aldive]

You want to find out if your explorer has had the fluid changed before though, if it hasn't then changing the fluid can cause you transmission to go out

Say what????????????????????

 

[Iowa Hick]

If a vehicle has quite a few miles on it and has never had the transmission fluid changed, then changing it can cause the transmission to go out, I'm not entirely sure why, but I think I remember someone on here said that the gears wear to the point that the only thing keeping them from slipping is the gunk in the fluid, so when you put in fresh fluid your transmission slips

 

[aldive]

I have changed ATF on trucks with well over 100k miles on the ticker that never had the tranny fluid changed with narry a problem.

I think it kind of like saying not to change to synthetic motor oil on older monors.

 

[Iowa Hick]

I could be wrong then, but thats just what I was always told

 

[Opera House]

Might want to check the valve body bolts, just about everyone has found some of them loose on the 5R55E. A light hand twist since these tighten to about 9 ft-lb. I first changed the fluid in my 97 at 107K and a couple times since to clean it up. Just dropped the pan today at 152K and even the extra magnets are running clean. This was a really dirty tranny. If you have a lot a sediment it will need a couple pan drops.

 

[mosinman]

If a vehicle has quite a few miles on it and has never had the transmission fluid changed, then changing it can cause the transmission to go out, I'm not entirely sure why, but I think I remember someone on here said that the gears wear to the point that the only thing keeping them from slipping is the gunk in the fluid, so when you put in fresh fluid your transmission slips

I have heard that if you have an older tranny with original grungy looking fluid that new fluid (with new dispersants and detergents) can loosen so much accumulated stuff up in the tranny that it can clog the filter enough to starve itself of fluid, thereby burning up. This source suggested a fluid swap first, driving a hundred miles or two, then doing the filter change. Surely can't hurt if your fluid looks more like Hersheys sryup than it does tranny fluid!

 

[Opera House]

Many of the earlier filters were just metal screens which didn't filter out anything. This is where many got into trouble. The newer Microfelt filter does a pretty good job. There is no good reason in the world to leave a dirty filter in a transmission. This will only contaminate the new fluid. You will not gum up a new filter in 10K. These filters are on the pump inlet and any restriction is very bad for the pump.

 

[spindlecone]

Being very ****, I have always used a very large external magnet on the tranny pan, and the Engine oilpan also, have never had an engine or tranny failure, knock on wood.
I do believe the 5r55e has just a wire strainer, not a filter per say.
I had my tranny Power flushed at 10K miles and filled With R.P, I think there is no way to get more than about half the fluid swapped out just by dropping the pan, if you do you might consider installing a drain plug, easy to do, than at whatever interval you choose at least you can do a partial drain and refill with about half new fluid

 

[Opera House]

The 5R55E does come with the Microfelt filter and it will fit all the transmissions in the A4LD family. The OEM SPX filter is less than half price ($10) at www.bulkpart.com Pan drop is about 35% of fluid. Frankly, four pan drops over time will get the transmission cleaner than a flush on a high mileage vehicle. Whatever sediment you find in the pan, there is 200% more still in the transmission. Cleaning an old transmission is not a one time event.