Re: IML: Doing a trans tune up by myself

[<dansgarage@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Matt! Just my 2-cents worth here......a long time back I changed the transmission screen/fluid/gasket myself while the car was up on jacks. Its not a HARD job, just a bit messy! (tranny fluid is VERY slippery!!!...of course)...as far as using a tray of some kind to hold all the fluid that is going to come spilling out (and that it will!) if I was doing that job again today I would get one of those heavy-plastic trays they use for mixing cement in! ..not the HUGE ones, I have one that is about 24x18 inches ( or thereabouts) and I got it at Lowe's (or Home Depot) for about $12.00! What I like about using THIS kind of tray is that once you loosen all the bolts around the perimiter of the tranny's bottom plate (and it was suggested to me that you loosen them a little at a time and work your way AROUND the perimiter of the plate so you don't possibly bend theplate by having one last bolt holding everything up), what will happen is the fluid will start leaking out from all around the edges of the plate.....sometimes you have to HELP it a little as even with the bolts all out, the gasket will hold it all together! Using this bigger tray I suggest allows ALL the fluids to go into the tray with room to spare! and you probably won't be moping up the garage or driveway floor afterwards!!
....There was a special gasket sealer I had gotten from the parts shop at the time but I don't remember just what it was anymore....someone on this list will, I am sure, mention it in the replies you are going to be getting! Back when I drained the tranny I did not also drain the torque converter (I didn't know about that back then!) so I can't give you details on that part....Dick Benjamin, Kenyon or Dave can, I am sure, give you detailed instructiona as to what to expect and how to drain the converter.....Good Luck!!!! Once its all done and put back together you will feel real proud of not only 'doing-it-yourself' but also for the $$$$$$ you just saved!!
Dan Melnik

---- Matthew Gill <mgill3@xxxxxxx> wrote: 

=============
Hm, good call. I was told that for a rear-wheel drive car, it's  
easier to reverse onto the ramps, rather than drive up onto them. The  
mechanic sounded pretty certain that it should work OK, but maybe the  
jack stands would be a better idea anyways, since that way i could  
hold the car by the frame, if i need to do any work with the  
suspension etc.

And what about a sealer on the gasket? Do you mean some type of fluid  
to dip the gasket in or something, as a sealer?

Matt

On Dec 5, 2006, at 10:22 PM, Kenyon Wills wrote:

>
> --- Matthew Gill <mgill3@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>>
>> So, i think i'll pick up those ramps, the filter and
>> gasket, and i'm
>> even considering buying one of those fancy chrome
>> transmission pans
>> instead of the plain one, for 25 bucks.
>
> You may get way more mileage out of a jack and 4
> jack-stands.  The ramps are not always easy to get
> under the rear wheels due to clearance.
>
> The jack-stand setup also allows you to work on your
> wheels in the future too....
>
>
> Careful not to overtighten the pan bolts when you
> reinstall - once one is stripped, you're in a world of
> hurt - ask me how I know..... Check tightening
> parameters/torque specs before re-assembly.  Look at a
> sealer on the gasket too?
>
> If the system has no drain plug, have a big catch
> basin, as the fluid will spill out as you remove the
> pan and make a mess if you're not prepared for it.
>
>
> This should be a rewarding experience - Go For It!
>
> The chrome pan won't make much of a difference unless
> it's a deep one.  The deep ones make a difference if
> you're towing or some-such, and the deep aluminum pan
> with the cooling fins is the best, but they're $50+.
> I'd stick to stock, myself...
>
> Kenyon Wills
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