Changing Transmission filter

[steve99]

I know its been discussed before but what are the basic steps in changing the transmission filter? Is it more trouble than its worth or is it pretty easy to do yourself. Do you have to put about 4 qts of fluid back in afterwards?

 

99 w\5.3

[karld]

Changing the trans filter is not that bad of a job. You will need to remove the shift cable and bracket to access the bolts on the drivers side. The shift linkage pops right off and you will need a torx bit to remove the two screws for the bracket. Other than that,it's just a matter of loosening all the bolt and draining the fluid. The drain plug on my truck was in so tight I couldn't loosen it. I believe the filter is held in by one bolt and it comes right out. Piece of cake! 99 sierra 4.8L

[toddgotfish]

just for safety

make sure you have the truck securely chocked

since you will be messing with the shift cable it is

very easy for it to slip out of gear and roll right over you

BTW --not good

you really only have to remove one of the torx screws

and the hanger will then pivot to the side to allow access

i did not have a torx so i took a pair of channel locks

and grabbed the side of the bolt and untightened it

mine did not have a bolt holding the filter in

it just popped out of the bushing it was in

you can change out the bushing to the new one --BUT--

it is a total pain and you better have the right tool to grab it

or you will scratch up the valve body

i personally left the old one in and just snapped the new filter

in place ( i'm comfortable with it)

again total job about 90 minutes which includes giving the pan a good

cleaning

[SilveradoWV]

Are the linkage bolts hard to get to?? I have yet to find them, maybe I am looking in the wrong place!

[toddgotfish]

silveradoW

if i remember right

the shift cable is on the passenger side of the tranny

and the two torx bolts are on the driver side

but i can't remeber exactly

check again and if you can't find them i'll get under the truck and see

[RossT]

Does the pan use a gasket or RTV?

 

If gasket, can you reuse it, or do you replace every time?

 

Thanks!

[SilveradoWV]

silveradoW

if i remember right

the shift cable is on the passenger side of the tranny

and the two torx bolts are on the driver side

but i can't remeber exactly

check again and if you can't find them i'll get under the truck and see

I think something is blocking me on the drivers side? But cant get to anything with that front driveshaft there. I'll look next time I change oil, I still have about 6000 miles before I change the trans filter and fluid. THANKS

[blaster9158]

 

Hey guys is $160 clams to much money to pay to have it done? I have a 2000 GMC 2500HD. Thanks.

[steve99]

A GMC dealer in the Dallas area charges $105 to change the trans filter or $125 to do a trans flush. I had them do the flush and probably will do the filter myself later.

[Bish]

Depends on your cash situation. For me, $160 is way too much and I would rather do it myself anyhow and know it's done right.

 

The shift cable is on the driver's side. Find the tranny pan. Look to the driver side and you should see the shift cable. The shift cable attatches to the tranny from above. Meaning you slide your hand up between the tranny and chassis, point the 1/4 inch socket with torx bit (what I used) down towards you laying on your back. The goot news is, once you crack them, they should be easy to spin out. Once you remove the bracket, drain the pan (careful with that soft drain bolt), remove the pan bolts, and carefully remove pan. I had to work mine around the crossover pipe. It's tight but is does come out and I have the oem deep pan. Replace or re-use the gasket.

 

Hardest park IMO is getting the old filter seal out. I used an awl between the sleeve and the seal to bend it i enough to grab with a pair of needle nosed pliers.

 

Good luck.

[toddgotfish]

filter and gasket from advance auto less than 10.00

4 quarts of .99 atf

total job cost less than 15 bucks

left in wallet = 145.00

 

WE GOIN SIZZLER

WE GOIN SIZZLER ~!!!!

 

[bandera]

I was going to do it myself also, but saw a coupon (about a month ago) for Cottman Transmission for a transmission service for $19.95 (fluid and new gasket). Called them up and asked if I could supply the new filter. They said "no problem". Glad they did it. They had to loosen the exhaust pipes at the exhaust manifold to get the pan off. Had a hard time later getting it sealed off after changing everything. Took it back once for them to tighten up a little more on the manifold doughnut gasket. Been great ever since. That was a little over a month ago with no problems.

[Cobra]

When you change the filter and fluid yourself you are leaving lots of dirty fluid in there. The trans cooler, lines and torque converter still have dirty fluid in them. A flush is the way to go but, $160 seems a bit steep. In my area you can get it done for around $100.

[SilveradoWV]

Its $99 here but no one will change the filter or even drop the pan. I just dont like the idea of backwashing the filter!

[Bish]

I like flushing. First, it is not a backflush. The fluid circulates the same way as normal so it won't dislodge anything from the filter.

 

I alternate between flush and filter change.

 

25K Change filter and fluid, drain and refill fluid 1 week later. This gets most of the fluid replaced.

 

50K flush

 

75K change filter and fluid, drain and fill fluid 1 week later.

 

100K flush.....etc

 

I've got 108K on the stock tranny so far and all is well. That includes towing and abusing.