hope to drain fluids over the weekend

[Christopherrr]

I usually take my GTA to get work done...but this time around I want to work on my TA personally...

Need to do some preventive maintenance on the TA. Want to change the fluids in the differential and the transmission. How do I drain and refill it? What kinds of fluids I use...blah blah blah. I can always take it to my shop to get it done...

I got a basic idea...just need reinforcment.

Thanks Guys!

[Injuneer]

The differential require that you remove the entire cover plate. No drain plug. Just plops out the bottom of the cover as you pry it away from the housing. The drained fluid will stink! Be prepared with a large drain pan under it. Take the cover completey off and clean out the sludge - can't remember if there is a small magnet on the stock cover. You can use a new gasket, or you can use RTV to reinstall the cover.

It is sort of hard to reach the fill hole on the passenger side of the differential housing. At least its difficult to get a container of fluid in the correct position to pour it. You can dump the fluid into a squeeze bottle, or use a small pump to put it into the hole. Use exactly the fluid called for in the manual, and be sure to include the genuine GM Limited Slip additive.

Never drained an automatic tranny.

[Jason97T/A]

I drained my automatic tranny a year or so ago........Replace Filter and make sure to get a new gasket at the GM Dealer, I noticed the gasket I got at Autozone wasn't near as good for some reason. No drain plug on the stock pan, just start by droppin the pan and makin a mess. I had oil all over me, but I'm probably not as careful as most of you guys here. Or there was a secret I didnt know. Replace Filter and clean out the pan real good, and the magnet in it. Put a little oil around the gasket, if i remember right, just like an oil filter, and there is a special torque setting for the bolts when you put the pan back on, but I can't remember what it is. It should say in the manual?

[tabahr]

I would recommend having a shop with a ATF changing machine do the trans. The torque converter, and passages in the tranny hold alot of fluid that you cannot change just by dropping the pan. The machine they use actually hooks into your cooler lines and intersepts the dirty fluid, pumping clean fluid back in until finally it is all new.

I dont think you could effectively do this yourself. While they are at it, have them put a new filter in it too.

Ambition to do your own work is good, but without the equipment you cant replicate this service.

[Formulaboy95]

If you are going to drain the tranny fluid, you might want to get a big pan to catch the fluid, because it will spash everywhere. I got a washing machine drip pan from Home Depot, it is only like $20. Oh, and plastic drop cloths help too! I am going to install my billet super servo's this weekend, and I am going to lose some tranny fluid, so I am getting prepared also. Dropping the trans pan is a cinch, just leave 1 bolt towards the passenger side rear for last. When you remove the atf filter, make sure the seal comes out with it though.... you may or may not have the seal, some do and some don't.

The big pan

[Roger in Kensington]

I agree with "tabahr".

Best to let a shop with the right equipment pump all the old fluid out of your transmission, replae the filter/gasket and refill with the proper fluid. Just my opinion, though as I have a manual (which has had its transmission fluid replaced with synthetic, BUT my opinion is informed by a neighbor with a very, very cherry 1975 Porsche 911 who had the transmission fluid changed in this way).

[BowlingSS]

Re: I agree with "tabahr".

Originally posted by Roger in Kensington
Best to let a shop with the right equipment pump all the old fluid out of your transmission, replae the filter/gasket and refill with the proper fluid. Just my opinion, though as I have a manual (which has had its transmission fluid replaced with synthetic, BUT my opinion is informed by a neighbor with a very, very cherry 1975 Porsche 911 who had the transmission fluid changed in this way).

I agree. Let a shop do the tranny. Do the others yourself.

BowlingSS

[Jeff_in_Atl]

FYI I was talking to a friend who was a mechanic and is now a service writer about a transmission flush. He said they disconnect the coolant line from the radiator as stated above and hook it up to the machine to pump the fluid through. He said they do a great job in flushing the system. However, they do not take the pan off or change the filter. If you take it in, ask about this.

[N20LT4Bird]

At my father's tranny shop there are several options for fluid change ranging from just flushing, just dropping the pan, or both. Obviously the price depends on what you do. There is a time and place for each service but no doubt, doing both is best. There is nothing wrong with just dropping the pan if you do it regularly. If you wait 50K miles, then your gonna want to do a flush and drop. If your dropping your pan yourself every 15-20K, your good to go.

Transmission flushing is a relatively new thing and it has only been in the last 5-7 yrs that it has been common place. Yes, it is the best when combined with a filter change, but there is still alot to be said for the old pan drop.

[N20LT4Bird]

Originally posted by Jason97T/A
I , I noticed the gasket I got at Autozone wasn't near as good for some reason.

......By the way, dont buy a cork gasket, they suck. Guaranteed leak. Buy duraprene from a tranny shop or at worst .... rubber from shlep boys or parts africa.

Another trick, hammer the bolt holes on your pan down flat again with a ball peen against a metal work bench. The pressure of the pan bolts over time warps each hole, dishing them in. Take a look next time you do a service, most of the bolt hole are dished in the direction of the bolt pressure. Wack em back down with a hammer...one shot each, this takes care of a lot of leaks.

[rhummer37]

I was going to change the Trans fluid and filter today, but read in my Chilton manual about needing to put some Transjel on the filter seal.

Does anyone know anything about this Transjel, or a substitute for it so I don't have to drive 45 minutes to get to the nearest GM parts store?

Thanks

[TraceZ]

I would recommend having a shop with a ATF changing machine do the trans. The torque converter, and passages in the tranny hold alot of fluid that you cannot change just by dropping the pan. The machine they use actually hooks into your cooler lines and intersepts the dirty fluid, pumping clean fluid back in until finally it is all new.

I dont think you could effectively do this yourself. While they are at it, have them put a new filter in it too.

Ambition to do your own work is good, but without the equipment you cant replicate this service.

Who is "tabahr"?
That was my old screen name before I changed to TraceZ, and that still is my screen name on CZ28. And why does it say that person is a guest? I'm confused. Please stop using one of my aliases.

[Craig 94 TA GT]

Who is "tabahr"?
That was my old screen name before I changed to TraceZ, and that still is my screen name on CZ28. And why does it say that person is a guest? I'm confused. Please stop using one of my aliases.

Umm...Tracy, you're joking right?
If not, take a look at the posting date. That'll explain it all. If you are joking, sorry

[Zippo910]

Who is "tabahr"?
That was my old screen name before I changed to TraceZ, and that still is my screen name on CZ28. And why does it say that person is a guest? I'm confused. Please stop using one of my aliases.

tabahr's post is from 2003. Maybe you said that three years ago?

[TraceZ]

I'm so pretty.