Question about 4L60E Transmission Fluid Change

TUFFTRUX · July 18, 2004

Hi, I had just changed my Transmission fluid (pan only) and filter today and a few questions came up. I was wondering if any of you could help me answer these, thanks.

1- If I was to install an aftermarket drain plug kit on the pan, where would be a good location?

2- If I change the transmission fluid every week for 3 weeks, would that remove all the old ATF or is a transmission flush the only way to replace all the fluid?

3- The fluid I changed was dark red, there was some debris on the bottom of the pan, and the underside of the filter was black (the underside of the new filter was silver). I mean the black coating could be washed off but is that normal for the underside of the filter to turn black and the pan to have a little debris?

4- It was really tough getting the old filter seal out, how do you guys get it out?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Luke

Supurban · July 19, 2004

I definitely want to hear if anyone has put on a drain valve on their tranny. Changing tranny fluid is a pain when pulling a pan. My Subaru has a drain plug that makes it super easy.

Concerning the color of the fluid, dark red is okay. The "silty" stuff is just the clutch band material (similar to brake pad dust) and it will be dark in color. As long as there is no metal that indicates the gears are eating themselves, you should be fine.

How many miles have you gone since the last change?

MountaineerTom · July 19, 2004

I put a B&M drain plug on my '91's pan. All I did was look for a location where the inside part of the plug wouldn't make contact with anything in there once the pan was on. Never had any problems with it.

TUFFTRUX · July 19, 2004

My Savana cargo van has 177000 miles on it and a rebuild tranny from AAMCO which isn't all that great if you ask me. THe last change was some 6000 miles ago and the fluid is already dark red! Anyone know how to change the rear axle lube by the way??

Luke

blue2kzr2 · July 19, 2004

Either a drain plug on the bottom of the diff or you pull the cover. My 2000 ZR2 with the 8.5" axle has a drain plug. It's on the bottom surface of the diff, screws in vertically...