Items needed for a complete pan drop and filter replacement
- 8 quarts of ATF (9 if doing a lower shift kit)
- Filter
- Pan gasket (optional - gasket is reusable, only replace if damaged)
- Large rubbermaid-type container used to catch fluid
1.Place the drain pan directly under the tranny pan
2. To keep everything clean, you want the fluid to drain out of only one side of the pan, so loosen the passenger side bolts more then the drivers side...allowing the pan to drop further on the pass. side.
3. Allow the fluid to drain until dripping stops, then begin to loosen and remove all the bolts progressively, starting from the passenger side. More fluid will drain as more bolts are loosened.
4. Once all the bolts are removed, drop the pan into the drain pan and remove the filter. The filter is removed by pulling straight down, it is not secured by anything. Wiggling back and forth will help it drop down and out of the o-ring. DO NOT REMOVE THE O-RING! It's a pain to re-install! Allow remaining fluid in the tranny to drain.
5. If doing a lower shift kit (1-2, 2-3 shifts), the accumulator can be removed now. Refer to your shift kit instructions.
6. Clean the gasket face on the tranny, removing all road grit/sand.
7. Remove the tranny pan from the drain pan and clean. Be sure to clean and remove any metal shavings from the magnet. Clean the lip, removing all road grit/sand from the gasket face.
8. Install new filter, the filter pushes into the existing o-ring, similar to how the old one pulled out.
9. If reusing the gasket, wipe the gasket clean, removing all road grit/sand and set on tranny pan. Install the pan with the gasket using one bolt to hold everything together.
10. Install and hand tighten all remaining bolts. Using a ratchet, tighten all bolts to approx 10-15 ft/lbs. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN!! they strip easily.
11. Take the car off the jack and on a level surface. Start by adding 7 quarts of fluid. Start the car and let it idle until warm, check the fluid while the engine is idling and in park. Add remaining fluid as necessary. My car used 8.5 with a lower shift kit, others have said they used 7.5 without doing a shift kit.
Done and not a single drop of fluid on the garage floor!