Transmission pan capacity

[Melon]

I'm fairly certain I've got the infamous 4R70W shudder. It feels like a miss and only noticeable from 35mph to 45-50. I'm planning to drop the pan, swap the filter, and refill. The catch is, I don't remember how many quarts the pan holds. I want to say it's 5-6 quarts?

Our 04 hasn't shown any signs of shudder, but I'm considering changing it before symptoms show up.

Thanks everyone!

 

[1998Exp]

Not sure why you even need to know the number -- if there is one. Some pans may be different than others... What I do is fill about 3 quarts, then keep adding slowly while checking the dipstick (for the "cold" mark). You need to do this with the engine running. It gets a lot more "interesting" with my Kia, which does not have a dipstick (or even a transmission fluid pan for that matter), so, by comparison, our 4R70Ws are easy
But if you must, the best way to figure out is to measure what you drained. Just take a 1 qt bottle, cut the neck off to make it easier, and count how many of those came out as you move the fluid to a container. Or, if your significant other won't get upset, use one of those marked glass containers from her kitchen. Either way, it's a bit messy, but probably more accurate than any answer you'll get here.

 

[410Fortune]

the 4r70w pan holds about 5 quarts, buy 6 just to be safe

 

[Hacra]

When i dropped the pan i added 5 quarts (or 5 litres, which is nearly the same), have dropped the pan couple times now and also replaced oil pan.

Perhaps good idea to get one of these, for bit easier "flushing" (remember to clean the magnet).

Also... word of advice, remember to torque the pan bolts properly, i bent my old pan as i over tightened the bolts, which caused leak and thus automatic flushing system...

Edit: the dorman pan with drain bolt is dirt cheap too..

 

[drdoom]

Do you plan on adding shudder fix as well?

 

[lobo411]

Cycle through the gears before checking the fluid level too.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I pump 4 quarts out of the pan through the dip stick with a transfer pump. Then dropping the pan is way less messy. Then I measure what’s left in the pan, and just add the same.

On my V6 I also pulled a front cooler line, and let the transmission pump out a gallon, pour a gallon in. Pump out another gallon, pour one in. I’d do this 3 times, and consider the fluid mostly flushed.

I’ve never bothered doing this on the 4r70w.

 

[koda2000]

I check my fluid level on the trans dipstick before draining it. Then I measure how much came out and put the same amt back it. Works every time, provided you manage to catch most of what comes out w/out spilling. No guessing needed.

BTW: Unlike the V6's the 4r70w trans used in the V8's allows you to drain the torque converter. There's a black rubber plug under the bell housing and a drain plug on the torque converter. You will need to turn the engine to get the drain plug to line up with the hole, but you'll get a lot more fluid changed if you do the TC too. Draining the pan will only get about 1/2 the trans fluid changed.

 

[Melon]

I was curious about capacity to make sure I have enough on hand since at the moment, it's my only mode of transportation.

Good call on the pan. I did the same thing on the 96 Thunderbird I had years ago when I did the JMod.

Good to know about the converter.

Thank you everyone. Now to order the filter and pick up fluid