Trans Fluid Change

[01z71]

Alright, after the poll recently on flush vs. filter change I got motivated to change the filter on my '04.

 

I got all of the bolts out but can't get the pan to drop down all the way. It's getting hung up on the exhaust pipe and the trans. shift bracket.

 

Any way to shake it loose or does the bracket and front drive shaft have to come off?

 

Also, while I have it down can I put a self tapping drain plug in the pan?

 

Thanks guys I guess I should have thought of some of this before I dropped the pan.

[MountaineerTom]

You can reomove the bolts for the shift braket from above. They can be kind of hard to reach, but it can be done. Once it's out of the way, you shouldn't have any problems.

 

Tranny fluid drain and refill

 

Get a drain plug kit from about any auto parts store. Al you do is drill a hole on the pan, install the body in the pan (held by a nut on the inside), install the plug and reinstall the pan. Make sure you check for clearance for the plug assembly before you drill your hole. I added one to the tranny pan on my '91 and it worked very well.

[01z71]

Thanks for the link, Tom. I tried doing a search on it but does anyone remember about a month ago someone was trying to replace a trans. pan without the drain plug with the part number for the '99 to '02 Trucks that came with the drain plug. It seems like he got the new style pan anyway but I can't remember for sure.

[MountaineerTom]

I don't remember that thread specificly, but did a search for Transmission Pan, and came up with THIS.

 

I hope this helps.

[01z71]

Well, I got one of the T-40's out. The other one towards the front I am convinced is impossible to get out. I can't get a good enough grip with pliers to bend the bracket out of the way so, I think the truck will sit in the garage until next weekend when I have time to fool with it.

 

Man, this has been a PITA!!

 

I was able to get the pan to hang far enough down in the front to change the filter & clean the magnet and the bottom of the pan.

 

I can't get the new gasket all the way back because it hangs up on part of the tranny so I can't put the pan back up until I get it down to run the gasket across.

 

What a Pain!! I am convinced this is my last time doing this myself.

 

Tom, I do appreciate the help, it just makes me think what the engineerthat came up with this was thinking.

[asilverblazer]

Which is exactly why I haven't done mine, as well as the mangled drain bolt head...

[MountaineerTom]

I didn't have any problems removing the Torx screws for the bracket, other than just a little tight as far as room goes. Try shooting some WD40, or something on the threads and let is sit until you can work on it. Try not to get any on the torx head, so your bit don't want to slip out.

 

Good luck.

[asilverblazer]

Speaking out of the side of my head has any one looked into changing the bracket bolts from a torx to regular, or pointing them up instead of down... I'll go look at those pictures and see if I can call myself an idiot...

[01z71]

Got the truck back in service. What a PAIN!! I am glad that is over. I doubt I will be doing that service again by myself.

 

Oh well, it's behind me now. I hate that they did away with the drain bolt like my'01 has. I may have to look into an aftermarket pan so I can just to a partial drain and refill.

 

Just thought I'd give the final update on it. The truck has 20,500 miles on it and I use it for towing -- there was a noticeable difference in shifts after changing the filter. Much smoother.

[Black02Silverado]

Way to stick with it. Now at least you know it was done right.

[01z71]

Yeah, it does give you a certain satisfaction having done the job yourself! Definitely a lot more difficult than what I was expecting but in the end it worked itself out.

[MountaineerTom]

Now that you've done it once, it should be easier next time.

[fyarbrou]

I could not get the torx bolts loose on mine either. It must have been the same guy who tightens the drain plug that tightens the torx bolts. I took a framing hammer and used the claws to bend the shifter bracket over enough to get the pan down. It actually worked pretty good. After cleaning the pan and replacing it I simply bent the shifter bracket back. This metal shifter bracket is pretty solid and does not appear to have had any adverse effects of being bent. I have never had a problem with it and it has been over 5K since I changed mine.

 

I realize that this is not the proper way to do it but it works and saves your knuckles.