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Trans Oil Filter Change

Mosey

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Mosey Enthusiast

Mosey

Posted
Posted

I'm really irritated at GM right now.I just tried to change the trans oil and filter in my 1999 Silverado with an automatic, 4WD, 5.3L V8. My previous truck was a 1989 with an automatic, 4WD, 350 V8. I was always able to get the trans oil pan off the 1989 truck, but couldn't get it off the 1999 truck. There's a bracket for the shifter cable that gets in the way and I couldn't get it off because the bolts that hold it on are on the top and are torx, I think, I couldn't see or feel it good enough to tell for sure. The pan also hit the exhaust crossover, when I tried to drop it down, so I tried to loosen the exhaust, but the bolts didn't budge and I didn't want to risk twisting the studs off, so I just gave up and didn't change the filter. Has anyone else had this problem? I really don't understand why they couldn't design this truck so it's not such a pain to change the trans oil filter!

 

How are other trucks (Ford, Dodge, etc) designed as far as changing the trans oil? Do the others have the same types of issues?

Bish Senior Enthusiast

Bish

Posted
Posted

Yes, everybody has the same issue. The shift cable bracket can be bent out of the way to drop the pan or you can use a small torx (can't remember size) from above to remove the two bolts.

 

I can slide the pan off carefully without removing the crossover but I have Tahoe so it may be a little different. If you take this route, just be careful of the wiring (inside the trans) when you slide the pan out.

JAF1 Enthusiast

JAF1

Posted
Posted

Yes, it's a PITA. SO is removing the two torx bolts. I just used a large screwdriver to move the bracket out of the way when dropping and replacing mine. Little bit of a juggling act with only two hands.

C & A s Dad Senior Enthusiast

C & A s Dad

Posted
Posted

Mine is just like Bish's. I removed my bracket with the Torx heads and the pan cleared the crossover pipe. Not by much, but it did clear.

 

The better alternative to removing the pipe is to loosen you rear trans mount and jack the rear of the trans up slightly. 1/8" of an inch is all you need.

Mosey Enthusiast

Mosey

Posted
  • Author
Posted
The better alternative to removing the pipe is to loosen you rear trans mount and jack the rear of the trans up slightly. 1/8" of an inch is all you need.

 

I actually pondered that at one point, but I wasn't sure if it would work. Have you actually tried it, or are you just guessing that 1/8" of an inch is enough?

C & A s Dad Senior Enthusiast

C & A s Dad

Posted
Posted

I have not done it on a pick up but my Yukon XL was very close. It actually cleared coming off but when I got ready to put it back on with the gasket, it would not clear with the gasket on the pan. I had to pull the gasket down into the pan on the back side, slide it between the crossover and the trans and then reach into the pan to pull the gasket back into place. If I would have had another 1/8", the pan and gasket would have slid right through.

 

I cannot imagine a pick up to be any different. However, with the rear trans support loose, you can lift the rear of the trans a good bit.

 

Maybe someone else who has done this on a pickup can respond

bbwb Enthusiast

bbwb

Posted
Posted

I don't recall if it was in the factory service manual or my Haynes book, but one of them has you loosening the transmission mount and lifting the transmission to get enough clearance to remove the pan.

 

bbwb

Bish Senior Enthusiast

Bish

Posted
Posted
The better alternative to removing the pipe is to loosen you rear trans mount and jack the rear of the trans up slightly. 1/8" of an inch is all you need.

 

Good call! Now why didn't I think of that :eek:

ken1mod Senior Enthusiast

ken1mod

Posted
Posted

Gentlemen,

 

Bend the damned bracket out of the way like I did and drop the pan. No big deal. Lighten up guys. Do what works.

 

Ken

C & A s Dad Senior Enthusiast

C & A s Dad

Posted
Posted

Ken, it seems the bracket is not really the issue. I took mine off with a torx head on a ratchet and it was no big deal. The clearance between the trans and the crossover pipe seems to be the biggest issue.

 

Did you have any clearance issues on yours when you dropped the pan?

buckshot Enthusiast

buckshot

Posted
Posted

I have a 2000 3/4 ton pickup. I just bend the shift bracket out of the way and I also bend the exhaust shield out of the way. Just think of it as a jigsaw puzzle. lol

2500HD 8.1 Enthusiast

2500HD 8.1

Posted
Posted

It is a pain. I removed one rear torx bolt for the bracket, and then moved the bracket out of the way. I still had to maneuver the pan just right to get it out and back in. I put a drain plug in, so hopefully I'll never have to drop that pan again.

Mosey Enthusiast

Mosey

Posted
  • Author
Posted

C & A s Dad - What size torx? I don't have a full set, I just buy them as I need them.

 

2500HD 8.1 - Mine already has a drain plug, I had to buy a torx head to fit it. So, I could change the oil, but I couldn't get the pan off to change the filter.

C & A s Dad Senior Enthusiast

C & A s Dad

Posted
Posted

I am not 100% sure on the Trox but I believe it was a 20. However, it could have been as small as a 15 or as big as a 25. It has been a little over a year since I changed mine.

 

2500HD1, I hope you do not mean you plan on never changing your filter again?

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