Help with disconnecting trans cooler lines. Please

slaterx2 · March 30, 2004

Anyone familiar with the transmission cooler lines? I got me a factory tranny cooler to install, and the "Quick-CONNECTs" are simple to CONNECT. BUT what is the easiest way to remove the existing (slow disconnect) fittings.. I mean: how to remove the clip that actually holds the pipe(s) in place... there's no room to piS$ about with a screwdiver on the tranny side ... Is there a spring clip removal tool?

Thanks in advance.

fastdrvr23 · March 30, 2004

Oh no, just thinking of the wretched tranny cooler install makes me break out in a cold sweat.

The way I did it, was to use a pocket flat head screwdriver (A good friend and GM tech showed me this) to simply pop that little metal retaining clip out of the housing (It sounds easy, but is tricky first time or so). I had to practice on the fitting on the radiator about 3 times before I felt good enough about it to try and get the line off the tranny itself. (The smaller the screwdriver the better...) They make a specialty tool for this at the dealer, supposedly, but my dealer said it would be a month before I could get it???

After ~1 hours worth of cussing, yelling and bleeding, I managed to get that clip of the inlet line into the tranny, so I could replace it with the new line that came with the kit. I laid on my back with my head towards the bed of the truck, and reached up on top on the transmission from that way. There's no real easy way to get to it (As I am sure you know) and that was the only way I could reach the fitting. Getting the retaining clip was hard as hell, getting it back on was pretty tricky as well. If you've got big hands like I do, prepare to make every knuckle bleed. Pull the little plastic cover back and try to get the open part of the clip with the screwdriver to bend up enough to just push it off of the fitting. That's how I finally got it off, only to drop it on top of a frame rail then onto the garage floor... Add another 15 minutes here to find the d**n thing.

Anyways, I intended to save the factory inlet line, but after I tried for a while to get it out without bending it, I just got under there and ripped everything out. To have more room I took off the cover on the top of the radiator, the airbox and intake tube when installing the cooler and new lines, you might want to do this also

if you have clearance issues. On mine there was only a 1/2 inch or so clearance through the frame rail where the line ran... hard to manage around when it's as bent up as those lines are. Oh yeah, I have a 4L60E with a 4.8L for comparison.

Anyhow, if you have any questions let me know. I don't that much, but I managed to survive installing mine somehow (Although I'll never get that 4 hours of my life back.)

Later,

Will

slaterx2 · March 30, 2004

Hey FASTDVR23.. Thanks for the reply, that's what I figured... Argh... I'm gonna call the dealership and see about the removal tool... They will probably try to sell me a small flat screwdriver for a hundred bucks.. I will let you know how it turns out. I don't imagine it will be much different than your experience.. I have the 4L60E with a 5.3, so the comparo is right on...

Oh, BTW, how much fluid did you have pouring out all over the place? Did you have to add much after? I dont have any Dextron III handy right now, should I buy some? How much I wonder? Or did you drain the tranny before doing the lines maybe?

Thanks again.

redvett · March 30, 2004

Any good autoparts store will have the tool. Advance,Autoworks etc. Cheaper too.

fastdrvr23 · March 30, 2004

Hey FASTDVR23.. Thanks for the reply, that's what I figured... Argh... I'm gonna call the dealership and see about the removal tool... They will probably try to sell me a small flat screwdriver for a hundred bucks.. I will let you know how it turns out. I don't imagine it will be much different than your experience.. I have the 4L60E with a 5.3, so the comparo is right on...

Oh, BTW, how much fluid did you have pouring out all over the place? Did you have to add much after? I dont have any Dextron III handy right now, should I buy some? How much I wonder? Or did you drain the tranny before doing the lines maybe?

Thanks again.

Nope, I didn't drain the tranny first, since the only fluid that will leak out really, is what is in the lines... it will go all over the place under the truck, but it isn't really that much...

Whew, now that I think about it, it would have been a lot "cheaper" had I bought that tool. A lot less cussing and pain. hahaha

I bought two quarts of Tranny fluid just in case, I ended up using both since I am an idiot I used about 3/4 of a quart of tranny fluid to fill it back up (when I finally figured out I was checking it wrong).. The way to check the fluid is really weird (It's in the Owner's manual, the last place I usually look)

What I'd probably do, is add about 1/2 quart when you get everything re-installed so you can drive it and figure out how much more you'd need to add to get it just right...

To check it:

Drive the truck and get the transmission up to operating temp, (I drove 20 minutes to be sure) When you get back to the house and stop, While holding the brake, put the gear selector in every choice for 3 seconds, then move to the next... (ie: "P" for 3 seconds, "R" for 3 seconds, all the way to "1")

Once you've done this, with the truck in Park, let it set there for 4 to 5 minutes at idle.

With the truck still running, pull the dipstick, wipe it clean, and reinsert... Let it sit for ~5 seconds and check the level...

Believe it or not, something that rediculous is in the manual, and I was told the same thing by a GM master-tech... and the fluid will not give you an accurate reading unless you check it this way...

I had to drain about 1/2 a quart after I first added almost 1.5 quarts to get it in the cross hatch after warming it up, and not doing any of that junk above. Anyways, just check the procedure in your manual and you should be good to go.

Good luck!

Short Version, you should probably only need 1 Quart of tranny fluid (Get 2 if you're clumsy like me), it will make a mess, read the manual on how to check the level and get the tool if it's less than $50!

slaterx2 · April 1, 2004

Well FASTDVR23, you're on again. Thanks very much.

My pal and I put in the trans cooler yesterday (and way into the night... ).

First, I called dealers to ask about the spring-clip removal tool. They gave me to the parts dept, then to service, and back and forth. I also got the guff about taking a month to get the tool. I figured it was a pick, (I have dental picks in my toolbox, which I forgot I even had!!!). Then, I went to the front desk of a local dealership service dept to ask about same. Those creeps told me that the mechs use a flat screwdriver. SURE. I went around back of the bays and the Snap-On truck was there with mechs hangin' around shoppin' and havin' a smoke. All I had to do was ask. They showed me a pick that has a little handle and about a 3" shaft. At the business end it is curled like a pigtail and sharply flattened/angled. I even got a demo in their garage. the kit of 4 picks was $30. The Snap-On guy sold me only the one I needed out of the kit for an even $10. Anyone want to buy it off me? I will never use it again. Ever. I ain't gonna do this job again. ever ever EVER. The mechs advised that I should get some extra clips, 'cuz they lose them al the time. I did. New GM parts in the bag. !!! $7.00 !!! Per clip. I got 2. Anyone need 2 clips?

The pick worked a treat. No problem,. Off really easy. You're right about getting it (trans side) back in correctly tho'. Argh

Taking off the heat shield (as the cat is right there... you know..) attached to the trans helped, as it gave me room to cut up my forearms and knuckles. But it made all the difference getting at that fitting at the top. I too wanted to save the old pipe...

I used a small set of bolt cutters to 'carefully' cut it into 3 easy-to-remove segments.

THEN, I covered the trans end of the new pipe with a corner of the parts bag plastic and taped it off, removed the grille and the front skid (under the front bumper)... and we twisted and shoved that mother- thru...

The 2nd-last straw was fitting the new pipe into the trans. Due to the reefing and bending, and, my arms and knuckles being all buggered up.. And letting my helper try to fit it, IT WOULD NOT GO IN THE HOLE .

We pi$Sed around for about 2 hours trying to get that thing in. Then i got really mad and shoved the open end of a wrench up onto the pipe and stuck a screwdriver in the box end and twisted it so it would fit into the hole. Done. No kink in pipe, all the clips that hold it went on perfect, nothing is rubbing. What a PITA.

Never again.

Thanks for your advice. It was a really great help.

Oh yeah, the Last Straw: I took off my watch, so I wouldn't scrach it up (not that my arm would fit with it on anyway), and put it on top of the snowblower gas tank while we were working on this little job. We started at 4pm. The last time we looked at my watch it was 8:40pm. I havent seen my watch since then. We got done around midnight. That is one expensive fuggin transmission cooler. I quadruple checked out in the garage tonight. No watch.

fastdrvr23 · April 1, 2004

Well FASTDVR23, you're on again. Thanks very much.

My pal and I put in the trans cooler yesterday (and way into the night... ).

First, I called dealers to ask about the spring-clip removal tool. They gave me to the parts dept, then to service, and back and forth. I also got the guff about taking a month to get the tool. I figured it was a pick, (I have dental picks in my toolbox, which I forgot I even had!!!). Then, I went to the front desk of a local dealership service dept to ask about same. Those creeps told me that the mechs use a flat screwdriver. SURE. I went around back of the bays and the Snap-On truck was there with mechs hangin' around shoppin' and havin' a smoke. All I had to do was ask. They showed me a pick that has a little handle and about a 3" shaft. At the business end it is curled like a pigtail and sharply flattened/angled. I even got a demo in their garage. the kit of 4 picks was $30. The Snap-On guy sold me only the one I needed out of the kit for an even $10. Anyone want to buy it off me? I will never use it again. Ever. I ain't gonna do this job again. ever ever EVER. The mechs advised that I should get some extra clips, 'cuz they lose them al the time. I did. New GM parts in the bag. !!! $7.00 !!! Per clip. I got 2. Anyone need 2 clips?

The pick worked a treat. No problem,. Off really easy. You're right about getting it (trans side) back in correctly tho'. Argh

Taking off the heat shield (as the cat is right there... you know..) attached to the trans helped, as it gave me room to cut up my forearms and knuckles. But it made all the difference getting at that fitting at the top. I too wanted to save the old pipe...

I used a small set of bolt cutters to 'carefully' cut it into 3 easy-to-remove segments.

THEN, I covered the trans end of the new pipe with a corner of the parts bag plastic and taped it off, removed the grille and the front skid (under the front bumper)... and we twisted and shoved that mother- thru...

The 2nd-last straw was fitting the new pipe into the trans. Due to the reefing and bending, and, my arms and knuckles being all buggered up.. And letting my helper try to fit it, IT WOULD NOT GO IN THE HOLE .

We pi$Sed around for about 2 hours trying to get that thing in. Then i got really mad and shoved the open end of a wrench up onto the pipe and stuck a screwdriver in the box end and twisted it so it would fit into the hole. Done. No kink in pipe, all the clips that hold it went on perfect, nothing is rubbing. What a PITA.

Never again.

Thanks for your advice. It was a really great help.

Oh yeah, the Last Straw: I took off my watch, so I wouldn't scrach it up (not that my arm would fit with it on anyway), and put it on top of the snowblower gas tank while we were working on this little job. We started at 4pm. The last time we looked at my watch it was 8:40pm. I havent seen my watch since then. We got done around midnight. That is one expensive fuggin transmission cooler. I quadruple checked out in the garage tonight. No watch.

Dude, I'm glad to managed to get it in there... It is a life-changing experience. lol.

Hopefully this post will warn people off about this wretched install. When I called the dealer and they told me it'd be 4 hours of labor to install it, I just laughed. I wonder why the guy at the shop got such a kick out of that... Sheesh. If I'd only known...

Anyways, good luck with it, just think how much longer your transmission will last now!

Later,

Will

canadianchevy33 · April 2, 2004

I love having my tranny cooler up front

99-2door · April 2, 2004

I always just use a small flat screw driver to take the clip out.

I love these clips, a lot easier than trying to screw the fittings on straight on the old ones.

When you go to install the lines put the clip in first and then just push the line into the fitting. Then puch the plastic retainer around the fitting. That is how it is supposed to work.

fastdrvr23 · April 2, 2004

I always just use a small flat screw driver to take the clip out.
I love these clips, a lot easier than trying to screw the fittings on straight on the old ones.

When you go to install the lines put the clip in first and then just push the line into the fitting. Then puch the plastic retainer around the fitting. That is how it is supposed to work.

I agree if you are talking about the lines where the meet the radiator, a lot easier than the old ones... But the ones on the transmission itself, where you can't reach them, are a nightmare! Makes my hands hurt just thinking about it...