Transmission Pan Drop Help

[thatryan]

I’ve read so many threads and seen a lot of methods but would appreciate some input please. 
 

2017, 5.3, 6 speed Z71

 

do I need to drop exhaust to drop pan or not? Crawled under and took pics it looks like there is clearance...

 

regarding aftermarket pan with drain plug on these, any adverse issues? Like the controversial rear diff covers?

 

thank you all!

[1SLOW1500]

You can get the pan out without messing with exhaust it is just difficult and you spill fluid. Only down side on aftermarket pan is clearance, cost, and guessing fluid amount.
In my opinion diff covers do nothing other then fill and drain plugs. And look cool. Some have bolts so they "support" the axles caps. To that I say maybe.

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[davester]

Weld a bung for a drain plug on your existing pan the first time you take it off, so you only have to make a big mess once...

[txab]

A member made a video

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Aon9FL9u_0

[kickass audio]

If you have a vacuum pump shove it down the dipstick tube and siphon out as much fluid as you possibly can to minimize the mess. What I did was remove all the bolts holding the pan on the tranny and then I lowered the pan slightly to break the pan loose from the gasket. Then spin the gasket around so it is no longer touching the pan towards the rear of the truck (near that damn exhaust cross pipe) and then put the pan up in the rear and wiggle it past the filter. Just take your time and you will get it down just be prepared to get messy, put down cardboard to save your driveway if you are worried about it.

[thatryan]

2 hours ago, txab said:

A member made a video

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Aon9FL9u_0

thanks, but damn he had to jack up the trans and pull on exhaust!?? That sucks... wonder if my ‘17 has more clearance than his ‘14 did..?

[16LT4]

I put a bottle jack on a piece of 6x6 cribbing under the trans crossmember, with a ratchet strap around the exhaust and under the 6x6. The jack creates an anchor point. Then I cranked the ratchet strap to pull down the exhaust pipe a little bit. I got as much fluid as possible out of the pan by dropping one side, didn’t get anything on the driveway. Then I drilled a hole in the pan, and took a cut off wheel to a nut to castle it and welded it to the inside of the pan. Installed a standard GM trans drain plug (off a Colorado I think) with gasket. Drain/fills have become stupid easy and quick. 

[jay webb]

this is what you do, take all the bolts out of the pan, take a pry bar and pry down on the exhaust a the back side of the pan and it will move enough to squeeze the pan out. 

 

sometimes this is hard to do as one person so another hand will be helpful.