Pain to change own tranny fluid and screen?
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Is it a pain to change your own tranny fluid and screen. It seems pretty straight forward from what I've read in my Haynes manual. But other people have said it'* worth it to have someone else do it for me. I prefer to do my work myself when I can. Input please!
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It is quite easy. It'* messy, so some people may find that reason enough for them to have someone else do it. If you follow the instructions, you should have no problem at all.
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This may give you a better idea...
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...=270207#270207
You'll need a large sterlite Container as a catch pan... walmart sells those storage containers, the one you want is about $4 and its just large enough to catch the tranny fluid... It can become messy...
Personally I like working on cars so it really doesn't bother me all that much... But if you hate getting dirty I'd take the car somewhere and pay $50 or so for the change...![Wink](https://www.gmforum.com/gm/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Found a few more pics...
![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Jr3800/95%20Misc/HPIM1888.jpg)
![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Jr3800/95%20Misc/HPIM1893.jpg)
![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Jr3800/95%20Misc/HPIM1892.jpg)
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http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...=270207#270207
You'll need a large sterlite Container as a catch pan... walmart sells those storage containers, the one you want is about $4 and its just large enough to catch the tranny fluid... It can become messy...
Personally I like working on cars so it really doesn't bother me all that much... But if you hate getting dirty I'd take the car somewhere and pay $50 or so for the change...
![Wink](https://www.gmforum.com/gm/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Found a few more pics...
![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Jr3800/95%20Misc/HPIM1888.jpg)
![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Jr3800/95%20Misc/HPIM1893.jpg)
![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Jr3800/95%20Misc/HPIM1892.jpg)
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I just did mine about two weeks ago and can offer a tip...
Start loosening/removing bolts at the passenger side of the transmission pan, working your way to the "flat" section on the driver'* side...(top right of that first pic above, for reference)...Slowly and evenly loosen (but DO NOT REMOVE) the 4 bolts on that side of the pan...This will allow the passenger side of the pan to slowly drop and as it does this, it will allow the fluid to drain without making a mess...I basically let the pan hang down until almost no fluid was draining from the pan, before totally removing those last 4 bolts and the pan itself...Hope this helps...
This is a fairly easy DIY job for the average driveway/backyard mechanic...
Start loosening/removing bolts at the passenger side of the transmission pan, working your way to the "flat" section on the driver'* side...(top right of that first pic above, for reference)...Slowly and evenly loosen (but DO NOT REMOVE) the 4 bolts on that side of the pan...This will allow the passenger side of the pan to slowly drop and as it does this, it will allow the fluid to drain without making a mess...I basically let the pan hang down until almost no fluid was draining from the pan, before totally removing those last 4 bolts and the pan itself...Hope this helps...
This is a fairly easy DIY job for the average driveway/backyard mechanic...
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Just be careful when removing filter, it is very easy to say eff it and break it, but then it is a pita to remove the broken neck, I know this from experience.
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Tips.. like said above.. keep the flat side bolted til the end. less of a mess
On the filter..wiggle and pull. the spacer/gasket/ring for the filter usually stays in the body of the tranny if so and it'* a nice tight fit for the new filter you may not need to change it out. The new ones are tough to get in.
On the filter..wiggle and pull. the spacer/gasket/ring for the filter usually stays in the body of the tranny if so and it'* a nice tight fit for the new filter you may not need to change it out. The new ones are tough to get in.
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I Thought it was easy. The only is to be careful when taken the pan over it easy to trrany fuild every where. I put old nes paper under mine to catch any fuild
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Normally Don, that nice clean fluid would make me jealous..but not any more
I usually like to change mine every six months, its realtivly cheap, and can save u alot in the long run. My filter is in for 12 months however.
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I usually like to change mine every six months, its realtivly cheap, and can save u alot in the long run. My filter is in for 12 months however.
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Originally Posted by SSEimatt93
Normally Don, that nice clean fluid would make me jealous..but not any more
I usually like to change mine every six months, its realtivly cheap, and can save u alot in the long run. My filter is in for 12 months however.
![Booty](https://www.gmforum.com/gm/images/smilies/booty.gif)
I usually like to change mine every six months, its realtivly cheap, and can save u alot in the long run. My filter is in for 12 months however.
![Wink](https://www.gmforum.com/gm/images/smilies/wink.gif)
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Just by dropping the pan and filter will NOT get all the fluid. . . ... You need to take off the low pressure line, run the car on jacks stands and let the old fluid drain out into a bucket, while your also adding new fluid into the dip stick.