Eddie Posted September 20, 2008 Report Posted September 20, 2008 I'm planning on draining and flushing my transmission myself. I'm getting a filter and gasket kit from Pepboys. Is there any tips or pointers that anyone can think of before I drop the transmission pan and I get stuck at work with no car to get parts. Quote
Badkarma Posted September 21, 2008 Report Posted September 21, 2008 Im curious about this myself. I have heard mixed reviews on getting the trans actually flushed. Quote
Eddie Posted September 21, 2008 Author Report Posted September 21, 2008 I dropped the transmission pan to drain the oil. You will need a 12mm socket, ratchet, 12in extension, universal knuckle, and a Torx bit to remove the cable to get the pan out. There's no plug on pan for some reason. Next I pulled the filter out. It's a little stiff but pull it and twist at the same time. It'll come out. Then I ran 1 quart of new oil through the system and cycled it through the gear a couple of times. Then I cleaned the transmission pan, cleaned off the old gasket, and cleaned the magnet. Then I placed the metal and rubber gasket ring that goes the tube part of filter on the filter and lubed it with new oil and placed into the tranny. Next I placed the gasket on the pan. I started all the screws into gasket a couple of threads. This will hold the gasket in place. Then I lubed the gasket with new oil. After that I put the pan back on and torqued it. Then filled the transmission fluid through the dip stick. That was about it. Dealer price was $260. My cost was a $20 gasket for Autozone and $60 for Mobil1 transmission fluid from Walmart. $260-$80=$180 for beer! Below are two pictures the first is the filter needed for my 05 SSS with 2WD. The second is a picture of the filter that Pepboys gave me with no gasket and Autozone tried to give the first time. Autozone found the correct filter and gasket from an 05 suburban. Make sure they give a new gasket. Pepboys said it is a reusable gasket. IT'S NOT. Quote
Eddie Posted September 21, 2008 Author Report Posted September 21, 2008 (edited) 6 miles no problems so far. Edited September 21, 2008 by Eddie (see edit history) Quote
Tony-CA Posted September 21, 2008 Report Posted September 21, 2008 you didnt flush the transmission fluid. all you did was a filter and gasket replacement. Quote
Eddie Posted September 21, 2008 Author Report Posted September 21, 2008 True, I didn't use a machine like the dealers, but I replaced most of the oil, filter, and gaskets. If it's good enough for Haynes and Chilton, it's good enough for me. Quote
Fireman31 Posted September 21, 2008 Report Posted September 21, 2008 Below are two pictures the first is the filter needed for my 05 SSS with 2WD.The second is a picture of the filter that Pepboys gave me with no gasket and Autozone tried to give the first time. Autozone found the correct filter and gasket from an 05 suburban. Make sure they give a new gasket. Pepboys said it is a reusable gasket. IT'S NOT. Rule of thumb, never listen to advice from anyone that works at Pep Boys or Auto Zone. If you have difficulty finding the gasket/filter next time, instead of telling them the year/make/model, just tell them that you need a filter/gasket for a GM 4L65E. True, I didn't use a machine like the dealers, but I replaced most of the oil, filter, and gaskets. If it's good enough for Haynes and Chilton, it's good enough for me. Actually by dropping the pan you only replace around 1/2 of the fluid.......how many quarts did you refill with? If I recall correctly, the capacity of the 4L65E is around 11-12 quarts.....you will only get 5-6 out by dropping the pan. Remember that there is fluid throughout the transmission, including 2 or so quarts in the TC alone. Either way I am sure you are fine seeing how you didn't have any heavy metal filings in the pan. Quote
Badkarma Posted September 21, 2008 Report Posted September 21, 2008 I think I would feel safer just droping the pan and changing the filter. I seem to recall hearing on here some none to good things happening to people after having a trans flush done. Quote
Eddie Posted September 21, 2008 Author Report Posted September 21, 2008 Rule of thumb, never listen to advice from anyone that works at Pep Boys or Auto Zone. If you have difficulty finding the gasket/filter next time, instead of telling them the year/make/model, just tell them that you need a filter/gasket for a GM 4L65E. Actually by dropping the pan you only replace around 1/2 of the fluid.......how many quarts did you refill with? If I recall correctly, the capacity of the 4L65E is around 11-12 quarts.....you will only get 5-6 out by dropping the pan. Remember that there is fluid throughout the transmission, including 2 or so quarts in the TC alone. Either way I am sure you are fine seeing how you didn't have any heavy metal filings in the pan. You're right about taking advice from the Pepboys and autozone parts guys. And I know better than to listen to them. But he seemed so sure. And usually when I ask for something and I don't tell them what kind of car they'll look like a deer in the headlights. Then they can't use their parts finder without the year/make/model info. I got about 5 1/2 quarts out of the pan. capacity is 11.2 quarts. And doing it this way I'm sure I'll avoid any problems that ours have had. Plus I baby my truck. I love that truck more than my wife! Quote
Fireman31 Posted September 21, 2008 Report Posted September 21, 2008 Plus I baby my truck. I love that truck more than my wife! Don't tell her that. Quote
benjaminh2 Posted September 23, 2008 Report Posted September 23, 2008 all the talk about how flushing a trans is bad for it and will cause problems ,is a complete load of crap. gm doesn't even schedule filter replacement anymore, just a fluid flush around 50k, or wheneva the fluid starts to get a brownish tint. i've personally done hundreds of flushes with not 1 single problem. the only time i would be hesitant about performing a flush, is on a vehicle with extremely high mileage (100k plus) that has no trans maintinence record at all. and fireman31 is correct, droping the pan only allows about half the fluid out. but props to you for doin it yourself Don't tell her that. your secret is safe with us Dan! lol Quote
Badkarma Posted September 23, 2008 Report Posted September 23, 2008 OK, now I dont feel so bad about doing it. I have about 23k on my truck and I was starting to ponder trans care. Quote
palletyard Posted September 29, 2008 Report Posted September 29, 2008 all the talk about how flushing a trans is bad for it and will cause problems ,is a complete load of crap. gm doesn't even schedule filter replacement anymore, just a fluid flush around 50k, or wheneva the fluid starts to get a brownish tint. i've personally done hundreds of flushes with not 1 single problem. the only time i would be hesitant about performing a flush, is on a vehicle with extremely high mileage (100k plus) that has no trans maintinence record at all. and fireman31 is correct, droping the pan only allows about half the fluid out. but props to you for doin it yourself your secret is safe with us Dan! lol cars or trucks with 100,000 or more miles i would do a reverse flush Quote
dmf21209 Posted October 5, 2008 Report Posted October 5, 2008 I got somethin to add onto this. I found a tranny flush machine on craigslist for CHEAP and was thinkin about gettin it and loanin it out here and there ($$$$). But my question is, if I were to flush the tranny with that machine, is it a MUST to change the filter? I've heard of filters on different cars getting clogged with all the crap whenever they'd do a flush. Quote
Tony-CA Posted October 6, 2008 Report Posted October 6, 2008 a flush machine isnt required. remove the upper trans cooler hose at the rad. stick a hose on both ends. put those hoses in a 5 gallon bucket. start the engine and add trans fluid until the fluid comes out clean. Quote
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