Transmission Fluid/Filter Change How-To?

[onecrazyfoo4u]

Is there a how-to somewhere for changing out the transmission fluid and filter? I know not to do a flush, so I'll just be dropping the pan and changing the fluid/filter myself. I try to do all of my own work to save money, but have never changed the transmission fluid before. The front/rear diff and transfer case were changed out already when I bought the truck a year ago.

 

It's on my 05 GMC 1500 4x4 5.3l 4-speed auto. What fluid and filter is recommended? How much will I need? Thanks!

[onecrazyfoo4u]

I know I have the 4L60E transmission, but how do I know if I have the deep pan or shallow pan? There's two different types of filter kits for each brand.

[Nanotech Environmental]

Is there a how-to somewhere for changing out the transmission fluid and filter? I know not to do a flush, so I'll just be dropping the pan and changing the fluid/filter myself. I try to do all of my own work to save money, but have never changed the transmission fluid before. The front/rear diff and transfer case were changed out already when I bought the truck a year ago.

 

It's on my 05 GMC 1500 4x4 5.3l 4-speed auto. What fluid and filter is recommended? How much will I need? Thanks!

Why not do a flush?

 

I've done a couple flushes with no issues. It's the only way to do a thorough fluid change. Dropping the pan only gets about 1/2 the fluid, or something like that.

Most tranny issues are caused, or made worse by bad fluid.

 

FWIW, I've never dropped the pan & the filter in mine is still the original. Now over 190k miles on it. Trans filters aren't exactly designed to filter much except bigger particles.

 

A flush is pretty easy with a couple of 5 gal pails, a couple lengths of rubber hose and a helper.

[onecrazyfoo4u]

I'm going to avoid a flush. Far too many horror stories out there about grenaded transmissions after doing a flush. Just doing the typical pan drop and filter change.

 

The truck has 146k miles on it. No clue when the last transmission fluid change was...

[sefiroxx]

Two types of flushes.

 

1)Power flushes at the shop are a no no as they will reverse flow or stir up stuff in the hither areas.

2) disconnect at radiator, rubber hose to a 5g bucket, turn on and keep adding tf until you see good fluid coming out. Drop pan, change filter, install and add tf as needed.

 

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[Nanotech Environmental]

Two types of flushes.

 

1)Power flushes at the shop are a no no as they will reverse flow or stir up stuff in the hither areas.

2) disconnect at radiator, rubber hose to a 5g bucket, turn on and keep adding tf until you see good fluid coming out. Drop pan, change filter, install and add tf as needed.

 

Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk

Yep

 

I do the second version, except with 2 pails. Dump 2-3 jugs of new fluid in one very clean pail. Use the other for the old fluid. run it til new stuff starts coming into the used fluid pail. During the flush, add whatever is needed to the new fluid pail so it doesn't run dry.

Pretty hard to have a tranny go south from this procedure. If it does, it was going to anyways.

[sefiroxx]

Yes, I've done the second one on many gm/Cadillacs. No problem. Son took one in for a power flush

 

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. .and tanked it.

 

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[onecrazyfoo4u]

Okay that sounds like a good idea, thanks. Which filter do I use? How do I know if mine is shallow or deep pan?

[Colossus]

Fact is, those folks who's transmissions decided to give up completely after having a flush done were already set to give up anyway. A flush done properly gets all of the old stuff out. You never get all of the old stuff out just doing drain and fill. If your fluid is pinkish and not burned, brown, or dark color, as far as I'm concerned you're safe. Now- You can always drain and then drop your pan and see how things look. If there is a good amount of crap in the pan then you know you're probably on borrowed time. You need to drop the pan though, the magnet plug won't get everything.

[txab]

http://www.truckmodcentral.com/forums/f63/transmission-filter-change-02-silverado-4636/

 

Deep pan pictured. You won't have a drain plug from factory

 

Complete fluid exchange.

 

http://www.gmfullsize.com/threads/how-to-4l60e-transmission-flush-filter-change.179148/

[Colossus]

No drain plug? Well that's just shitty engineering. Next thing they'll do is take away dip sticks for checking transmission fluid levels. Oh wait.. they already do. Well many manufacturers do.