Thread: Tools/Materials needed for trans fluid change and filter change

15 gallons of dex 3 and a shop rag will be good for a filter have fun at it oh and for tools use the jocks from school

you need 8 quarts of trans fluid, a new filter, car ramps or jack stands, and a 10 mm socket iirc.

and a large drain pan. and a can of brake cleaner to clean the stock gasket and the pan. re use the stock gasket.

^what he said

Scott has everything right.

10mm socket.
Very large drain pan(big glad ware container works best)
2 gallons or 8 quarts of dex 3 or 6...you may not use all 8 quarts.. You may use around 7-8. All depends on the tranny.
Jack stands or ramps.
Filter.

Ive been told by many 6 is better

Don't forget to check the filter box before you leave the store for a gasket, sometimes they "forget" to include them.

i'd stick with what the trans calls for, if it supposed to use dex 3, use dex 3.

dex 6 is thinner i've heard.

Just use Dex 3. There is no reason to "upgrade", why spend more $?
In the end, the fluid is not what will make or break your transmission when the torque hits.

3/8" drive 14.4V cordless drill and a 10mm shallow/deep gets the job done in minutes.

Get a large but shallow plastic container or pan, 10 bucks or so at Kmart, Walmart. You modded? Might want to consider using a shift kit if you've been thinking about it. If not is ok too.

What's the condition of the fluid now? Red still? Brown?

When you unbolt the pan, work towards one corner without fully removing the pan and allow the fluid to drain out to the plastic container some. Try to get the pan off without much moving around so when it's down you can just look around in the pan for anything unusual. The magnet in the corner of the pan will have small fine particles (black) which is normal. You don't want to see metal pieces though. If the gasket is original, the reusable rubber gaskets are better, just clean the old gasket off, don't be afraid, clean it good for the new gasket, do the surface of the tranny where the pan attaches as well.

I don't remember the torque spec for putting the bolts back, but seat the bolts + 1/4 turn should be good. Once all the bolts are tightened, put at least 6 quarts of fluid back... 7 is ok too just go slow and check the dip stick when 6-1/2 quarts are in and slowly add. You must bring tranny up to temp as well to fill accurately with final top off. This means filing close and driving a little, maybe around the block a bit, shifting through gears and such. Then checking and filling until correct.

Just a word on the tranny fluid, it's SLIPPERY stuff, lol, try not to spill it.

i used a dura last filter, it came with a gasket, but its best to reuse the stock gasket, if its in good shape. you will notice a big difference between the 2.

at 71,000 miles your only like 20,000 over due. get to it before you really cant service it. your fluid should be red to pink looking. not brown, or light brown. shades of red only lol

just drop the pan, change the filter, fill it back up. do it again in 50,000 miles. some say every 30, but that seems to over kill in my book.

Torque on the bolts is 120 inch lbs aka 10 ft lbs