trnny filter how to?

[93coleman]

Happy New Year!Im changing my tranny fluid and filter today.I have changed tranny filters before but not on my explorer.I have looked everywhere and have not been able to locate a step by step.Im sure it is similar to every other one,but i didnt know if there was any special instructions.Anyone done this lately?Does synthetic atf mix with conventional?

 

[93coleman]

NEED HELP PLEASE.Startin on my tranny filter thinkin it must be like all the others.I have all my bolts out and cant get the pan out from the tranny.I have the 4.o sohc with an automatic,4x4, and the catalytic converter is directly under the tranny pan.I have tried for an hour to turn it,tilt it,and everything else but i cant figure out how to get the pan out.Do i have to remove the catalytic converter just to change a tranny filter?Does the front driveshaft have to be removed?I have looked everywhere on the site and the only info i find is how to "flush" it and to use a fram filter.Any help will be greatly appreciated because Im at a point that i cant turn back.Thanks for any input.

 

[93coleman]

Still no luck. Has anyone had problems getting exhaust vent, if the catalytic converter is removed. Cant see anyway to get the pan out without removing converter, and dont have the patience for the bolts. Only thing im worried about is a muffler shop going to be able to replace the converter with pipe, because of the complex and mulitple bends. PLEASE HELP ITS 13 DEGREES OUT AND WORKING IN DRIVEWAY

 

[nooberiffic]

I am pretty sure that if you follow part of Glaciers rebuild diary it will help you

 

[93coleman]

Apparently this is a subject no one is famliar with.Transmission filters should be changed every 12,000 miles so if you have not done this in the last year,YOU NEED TO.I cant figure out how to post pictures,but i will do a step by step anyway,considering I found nothing on this and no one had any input.
STEP1-Remove catalytic converter(i have 4.0,4x4,auto tranny dont know if this applies to other motors)I used a sawzall because i dont have emmissions testing.
STEP2-Remove back bolts and let as much fluid drain as possible.Let the pan slightly drop,but dont put to much pressure on it,because it could warp the flange.Leave the front bolts in,but slightly loose.
STEP3-Finish taking the bolts out and let the rest of the fluid drain and drop the pan.
STEP4-there is one bolt holding the filter in.Remove it and pull the old filter out.Be sure to make ceartain the old o rings come out with the filter.There are two o rings.
STEP5-Install new o rings and filter,reinstall the bolt holding the filter in.
STEP6-Clean pan with brakeclean especially the rectangular magnet in the corner.After pan is whiped clean,spray it again with brakeclean to remove any lint or contaminates.
STEP7-Lay the gasket on the pan and start all your bolts loosely.I like to use a drop of loctight on all the bolts to prevent future leaks.Once all your bolts are snug,start torqing them down in a star formation.I dont know what the exact torque specs are,i use a quarter inch ratchet to make sure i dont overtighten.
STEP8-Fill transmission back up using mercon5.I strongly reccomend full synthetic.Usually the pan only holds about 5 quarts,but start with 3 then add more to prevent overfilling.
Hopefully this will help somebody out,it is extremely easy once the converter is out

 

[71cutty455]

Transmission filters should be changed every 12,000 miles so if you have not done this in the last year,YOU NEED TO.

Who told you that???? Autozone????

 

[93coleman]

It says it on the tranny filter box.I tow a camper with my explorer so i dont cut corners on the tranny.Some books say you can go 60000 between changes but that seems stupid to me.Dirty tranny filter=bad tranny.

 

[Blee1099]

You don't need to remove the cat to access the tranny pan. You can simply drop the front driveshaft and slide the pan out thru the side. Umm I recommend adding an auxillary tranny filter near your tranny cooler so you don't have to change that filter out as frequently. The aux. filters use a simple oil filter like the FL1A in most applications.

 

[93coleman]

Do you have 2000 sohc v6 with dual cats?I removed the driveshaft and it made little difference.I tried everything possible,it was not coming out.I couldnt slide it because the pickup for the filter sticks down and because of the shape of the pan.The guts of the tranny and filter stick down farther than the clearence between the converter.I tried every angle, tried turning it,tried using a pry bar to shift the converter and nothing worked.I tried and tried for an hour with no luck.Im not a stupid person if it would have slid out i would have done it that way.I guess my explorer could have an aftermarket conveter,I bought it with 155000 miles.If anyone else has changed their filter on a 2000 4.0v6 with 4x4 without removing the converter,please let me know so i can delete or change the post.

 

[Blee1099]

Do you have 2000 sohc v6 with dual cats?I removed the driveshaft and it made little difference.I tried everything possible,it was not coming out.I couldnt slide it because the pickup for the filter sticks down and because of the shape of the pan.The guts of the tranny and filter stick down farther than the clearence between the converter.I tried every angle, tried turning it,tried using a pry bar to shift the converter and nothing worked.I tried and tried for an hour with no luck.Im not a stupid person if it would have slid out i would have done it that way.I guess my explorer could have an aftermarket conveter,I bought it with 155000 miles.If anyone else has changed their filter on a 2000 4.0v6 with 4x4 without removing the converter,please let me know so i can delete or change the post.

Umm I've been around the block enough.. I know it works for a fact, we did it to Spas' old 98 when we did a tranny flush & filter change.

This link should help.. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=63357

 

[93coleman]

Umm I guess i stand corrected.....

 

[93coleman]

If only you would have directed me to the link 8 hours ago my explorer would still have a conveter.What a pain in the ass to change a tranny filter.