Im going to change my transmission fluid this weekend and I was wondering what all you need to do when servicing your tranny. Obviously drop the pan and change the filter but someone told me to drain the torque converter... Also things like the trasfer case, is this a good time to change that fluid as well? This is my first time doing this and im 17 so any pointers will help :) thanks

 

dont forget the filter too...

 

thats all your going to say? which filter are you talking about?

 

are you auto or manual? if you are auto then you have a transmission filter but either way use a good synthetic ATF like Amsoil or Mobil 1

 

make sure you know what fluid your truck needs, mine takes merc 5 not the regular stuff

you can get merc III & friction modifiers but its easier just to get merc 5

i just top off my t case

the way i do it is buy a case or 2 of merc 5, dissconnect a rubber line going to aux cooler, start truck and let tranny fluid come out of the line into a bucket while pouring more in at the same time, at first it will start out like a dark red, just keep pouring till youve done about 11 or 12 quarts or the truck starts puking out a good bright red fluid, and then drop your pan and change the filter, make sure you put in the correct filter, some have a pickup on them some dont, just make sure the replacement and the old one look the same, make sure all your old o rings come out with the filter (if any)

also do not reef down your tranny pan bolts, is a 1/4 drive rachet and get the just over finger tight, if you tighten them with a 3/8's and squish the gasket your ****ed and you will need a new one with a month or so

make sure you get a correct fluid level reading and then check it often there in the first few weeks to see if you pan is leaking, i would also suggest a temp guage assembly around ($80) as well other than that have fun and get dirty

 

does anyone know if my transmission pan is a deep pan or shallow pan?? i need to know to get the right filter for it thanks

 

my cousin changed the fluid in his F350 a few years ago, took him 8hrs to do it by himself.

 

You may or may not want to spend the money to have it done but this is one job I hate to do. I've had mine changed once at the dealer and they just use the machine that pumps the new fluid through the lines. That way even the converter (which holds most of the fluid) gets at least partially some new fluid too. It's just such a mess changing it yourself, disposing of the old fluid, and you don't get very much of the total volume out by just taking off the drain pan. Sorry to not answer your question, but just offering my humble opinion...lol!

 

that was some good input right there...

 

Changed the transmission fluid once in 130k miles. Did it myself, on my back under the truck. Make sure you have a BIG catch pan. It can be a big mess. I added back the specified amount of fluid. You can find out what you need from your owners manual booklet. Don't buy it from Ford. They will charge you an arm and a leg for it. Get it at an auto parts store. I didn't get the torque converter drained and the fluid didn't change in color much but at least I got the filter changed. Still "cookin" and the transmission shifts perfectly. I have heard the best thing you can do for your high mileage auto transmission is add a bottle of Lucas transmission treatment. Don't let anyone flush it. Do this and you may be rebuilding it soon after. Got that tip from a transmission mechanic.

Swimmer

 

I did it about a month ago...took me 15 minutes

than again I had a machine

 

i did it today at a friends shop with a lift and everything. took about 30-45 minutes and cost 45 thanks for all your opinions and tips =)