Dropping the pan???

poorboy · July 8, 2005

Getting ready to change filter and fluid on my 02 z71 with a 5.3. Read on hear that to drop the pan you need to remove the shift cable assembly. Is this correct or can you leave it in place.

If it has to go...how do you do it? Also...don't use and impact to try and remove the drain plug. Don't ask how I know.

Once the pan is off I'm going to drill out the old plug and put a new plug in place. Has anyone else run into these issues?

allenmehrer · July 8, 2005

I'm taking it you used an impact wrench to take out a drain bolt, which caused a lot of damage, and now you want to take the pain off to drill out the hole.

WHich pan are you speaking of anyhow? I imagine the oil pan but then you said shift cables. I'm really lost.

You sould restate what your questions if you want some help on this one.

JRW68 · July 8, 2005

Sounds like the transmission pan. Isn't the pan plug a wierd size or something? If so my guess is he completely obliterated the plug and needs to drop the pan to change the filter and to drill the old plug out... retap it and put a new one in?

poorboy · July 8, 2005

Sorry, should have been more clear. Trans pan. I tried everything to get the drain plug out.

I rounded off the head...not stripped. I will have to drill it out to get the dern thing loose. Some knuckle dragger at the factory thought it would be a good idea to tighten it so tight that a normal individual can't get it loose.

Back to my question...Does the shift cable bracket have to be removed to drop the TRANS PAN? If so, how is it removed

MrQuadrasteer · July 8, 2005

With the 5.3, you're gonna have a 4L60E trans. I KNOW on the 80E that you DO have to remove the shift cable, not 100% sure on the 60E, but I'd guess yes.

On mine, the pan bolts are 8 or 10mm (pretty sure) and the linkage has one 10 or 12mm bolt and a torx, maybe 45 or 55 ?? I can double check when I get home, but again, we have different trannies, so it may not be applicable to you

In any case, have you looked to see what it looks like under there ?? You should be able to tell immediately if the linkage needs to come down.

Oh- and I didn't do anything with the cable or it's adjuster, just remove the bracket as an assembly. I also seem to remember having toput it in neutral to access one of the bolts.

Hope that helps.

poorboy · July 8, 2005

Yes, I was under their for quite a while trying to remove the plug. It doesn't look like it needs to come off. The black stamped steel bracket is mounted to the trans housing above the pan bolts. I was under the impression that it caused interference when removing the pan.

maybe I'm wrong - but I swear I can't see any Torx head bolts anywhere on that bracket.

FYI - a new plug for the trans pan was 5.37 at the dealer.

BlueTahoe · July 8, 2005

The torx bolts can not be seen. You have to do it by feel. They are easy to find. just feel around above the shift linkage and you will find them. I had 2 torx holding mine on and I believe they were T45 but I can't remeber. I'm having trouble with the search function but I thought it was on this site that I found that before. Mine is the 4L60e. Quad is right I didn't disconnect the linkage just unbolted the bracket to move it over a little.

Good luck with the drain plug. Messed with mine 3-4 times before I got it loose.

MrQuadrasteer · July 8, 2005

Right, you couldn't see the torx bolt w/out an inspection mirror.

Just run your fingers around on top of the linkage bracket and you'll feel a *button-head* bolt- that'll be your torx.

Mine only had one torx, the other was a hex.

About the linkage coming off, I could be wrong. Again, mine's an 80E.

poorboy · July 8, 2005

Thanks for the info on the Torx...If they are above the pan mounting surface and you can only see them with an inspection mirror...how in the he!! are u supposed to get a bit on them???

I have the deep pan and the cable runs along the passenger side of the pan. This still sound right?

BlueTahoe · July 8, 2005

My torx bit was a 3/8 inch ratchet bit. I could feel the bolt and stick the bit in the bolt head. The bit will stay in the bolt head on its own. Then I would put the ratchet in the bit. It wasn't too bad you just have to do it by feel instead of sight.

I really thought mine was on the drivers side but I may be wrong. It has been awhile. Seems to me there was a heat shield up close to the passenger side pan mount and the shift linkage wrapped around the driver side pan mounting surface. Maybe the 02 is different.

poorboy · July 8, 2005

Man I sure hope so. Hey since this is my thread...anybody know off the top of your head what the capacity is of the auto transfer case. Going to do that as well and bought 2 quarts. Think that will be enough?

BlueTahoe · July 8, 2005

It will be close. I just went to the dealer and said what will it take and they sold me 3 quarts. I didn't use the entire 3rd quart but I did spill some (allot- kicked bottle over) so I'm not sure if 2 will do it. If 2 is enough it will be just barely. Also did you get it from the dealer? I've heard it is a dealer only fluid.

Tip - Don't take the lid off the bottles until your ready to pour. You will kick it over when your trying to get the dang creeper to roll over a pebble.

poorboy · July 8, 2005

Yep bought the factory stuff...when I asked the "gentleman" at the parts counter how much it would hold he just looked at me and said...I don't know...I work in parts!

I said "no chit! I thought I was in the mens room" He didn't laugh. But I did...inside that is.

Ape0r · July 8, 2005

I just pry the shift cable mounting bracket aside and then back into place, if you don't want to pry, you will have to remove the bracket and push it all aside. Last time I did a transfer case change it took almost exactly two quarts, but I'd buy three, wouldn't want to come up 1/8th a quart short or something!

Also, be careful on the transfer case bolts, the d**n thing is made out of magnesium (I think) and strips EASY! Remember, it only has to be snug. On that note, be very gentle on the transmission bolts, putting much more than minimal snugness on the bolts can split the gasket and cause a leak.