Transmisson Drain Bolt

[Slickgib]

so im going to drain my tranny fluid and put in a new filter and stuff but i go under the truck and i guess whoever had it before me stripped the crap out of the thing.. is there any suggestions of what i can do guys... maybe leave the bolt and just drop the pan down.. big mess... but hey what can i do.... and if i just drain the tranny .. how do i get the excess fluid thats in the line out>???

[diehrd]

The lines and Torque converter will remain full with fluid If you do it your self drop pan , and change more often then GM suggests you do.

[rjirvine]

The bolt is notoriously crappy. You can find a new one at autozone etc. (or the dealer of course). I had to drop the pan and use a big adjustable wrench to loosen the backside of the bolt (there's a big nut) to loosen the tension. Once thats done, you can replace the filter and fill the tranny back up. Then you can drive it for awhile or just cycle thru the shifts a few times and drain the fluid again thru the plug. It's not pefect but will do the job.

[C & A s Dad]

Too late for your drain plug but for anyone else that may be thinking about this, the drain plug is installed from the factory with loctite. A little heat from a torch will melt the loctite and let the plug come right out. You can also use a very good quality 6 point impact socket and they will usually come right out without rounding the head.

 

If you want to get all the fluid, go to Amsoil's website and it will provide blow by blow instructions on how to do this.

 

Cliffnotes version:

 

1) Change filter and fluid

2) disconnect trans line at cooler or where it enters the radiator

3) Place a long hose on line to allow you to reach a container on the ground

4) Let a second person crank the engine

5) In about 7 to 10 seconds it will pump out a qt of old fluid

6) Stop engine and add one qt

7) Strart engine again and pump out another qt

8) Repeat this process untill the fluid coming out looks like the fluid you are putting in

It will take about 16 to 18 qts total to do the job including the the 5 or so you added to the pan after the filter change.

 

This is pretty easy and takes only an additonal 30 mins or so to complete.

[KB06YUKONXL]

I bought a motive fluid extractor (motive.com) and suck the fluid out of the dipstick tube. I change out 2-3 quarts every other oil change. Takes 10 minutes and no mess. I'll drop the pan and change the filter at 50k like the book says. But the oil will get continually refreshed. I have had real good success with this method on all my vehicles and saved a few $$ along the way.