05 Transmission Fluid Change - Parts prices?

[nittanydoug]

I called the local dealer and my jaw hit the floor for the prices he quoted me on the strainer/filter and the o-ring and gasket. I was told $64.24 for the filter. $8.60 for the o-ring and $28.47 for the pan gasket. Granted my auto transmission wrenching was all on a Ford 4R70W trans, but my filter prices and gaskets were much less. The fluid price I was fine with at a little over $5/qt. Where is everyone buying their parts at for this? Or am I getting a good parts price?

[lovemyraffe]

Those prices seem about normal. When I first looked at the price for the gasket I nearly crapped myself. It cost me about $25. I believe the torque specs for the tranny pan gasket is 72 in/lbs. Don't get this confused with ft/lbs like I did the first time and split the gasket.

[nittanydoug]

I looked on Rockauto and the prices there were MUCH cheaper. I don't mind the fluid price. A wix filter, gasket, o-ring is like $20 shipped. Looks like I'll have to bust out my tiny torque-wrench!

[djkeev]

If you've done Fords, these are a cake walk!They have a drain plug, so right there the mess factor plummets to all time lows!The "filter" is actually a steel screen and you really don't need to replace it, just remove it, shoot it with carb cleaner and allow to dry. Put on a new filter gasket and reinstall.Clean up the pan taking note of what is in the pan. What kind of debris and what quantity for this is alone one of the best indicators of transmission health. There will be minor debris but there shouldn't be a gold mine in there! Use a new pan gasket and the bolts are 76 INCH pounds, not FOOT pounds (edit: See later post for proper torque values!!!(I was wrong here). Otherwise, not all that tight, you can damage the pan by over tightening.I use the Toyota T-IV oil in mine, I don't like to go mixing oils. You won't get the torque converter drained so it is recommended you change just the oil about twice more in the next several 1000 miles. Just pull the plug, drain and refill. Mathematically you'll have replaced almost all of the oil with three changes. The entire trans is about 7 qts dry.Stay away from, no, RUN away from anyone that wants to sell you a trans flush service. (my opinion based on bad experiences of many)It's easy and quick, good luckWorking on memory here but if I recall, refill is 4.3 qts dropping the filter, 3.8 qts just pulling the drain plug.dave

[morbay]

"I believe the torque specs for the tranny pan gasket is 72 in/lbs. Don't get this confused with ft/lbs like I did the first time and split the gasket."The night shift security guard did this on his Harley with the plugs, he tightened them to 20 ft/lbs instead of 20 in/lbs.

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by morbay »"I believe the torque specs for the tranny pan gasket is 72 in/lbs. Don't get this confused with ft/lbs like I did the first time and split the gasket."The night shift security guard did this on his Harley with the plugs, he tightened them to 20 ft/lbs instead of 20 in/lbs.OK, so we're BOTH wrong!!I just pulled out my GM factory service manual and in the trans section (Pg17-5) are listed the torque values....Fluid filter screen bolts............... 89 INCH poundsTransaxle Fluid Pan Bolts.......... 47 INCH poundsDrain Plug.................................13 FOOT poundsDry Fill.........7.75 quarts (US)Drain and refill........3.25 quarts (US) (This quantity is just pulling the plug, it does require more if you pull the screen and drop the pan)DavePS as a side note, I so could have reused my old oil pan gasket! I had a new one, I put it on.Also, Go to Toyota, same parts cheaper prices.

[nittanydoug]

I'm thinking this "should" be easier aside from having to put the car on ramps instead of just sliding under the truck. The 4r70w was a peice alright.... I guess I was lucky as mine went 175k before I sold the truck with little problems. I also did maintenance on it. As for "debris" in the pan, I have an idea what to look for based on my ford. First time on the ford there was a small plastic plug in the pan. However that was normal as it was a cap during assembly and instead of removing it, it was their practice to shove it down into the pan. It was a little concerning till I found out that was the case. The manual trans in my Mazda always felt better after a fluid change. That was a pain too cause you had to pump the fluid back into the transaxle to fill it. Thanks for the info guys. I'm just wanting to get this cleaned up before I start towing a small trailer.

[lovemyraffe]

Quote, originally posted by djkeev »OK, so we're BOTH wrong!!I just pulled out my GM factory service manual and in the trans section (Pg17-5) are listed the torque values....Fluid filter screen bolts............... 89 INCH poundsTransaxle Fluid Pan Bolts.......... 47 INCH poundsDrain Plug.................................13 FOOT poundsDry Fill.........7.75 quarts (US)Drain and refill........3.25 quarts (US) Thanks for the correct torque specs. It is imperative to do it correctly or you will need to buy another gasket.

[djkeev]

An additional note, most trans funnels are too large for the fill / dipstick tube.I've found this one works great though you've got to fill slow for the exit of the funnel is small.Lisle 19802http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-19802.aspxDave

[nittanydoug]

That's a good tip. I'll have to see if my funnel fits. I know it has a taper at the bottom inch or so and it fit easily into my ford.

[nittanydoug]

Well the funnel fit. The filter and gasket kit I bought did not.... The toyota dealer told me I didn't need to replace either one if they looked good. Mine is just a screen filter anyhow, not the cartridge w/ the o-ring. I put about 4.5 qts back in the trans. It seems to be running fine and shifting smooth.I'm checking fluid levels with the car in neutral and running. That's how I was taught but without having a manual, I wasn't sure if this also applied to the Vibes.

[nittanydoug]

I should have taken photos of the pan and magnets. Nothing too suprising there. I expected about as much with a car that has almost 90k on the clock and having no idea if anything had been done before. The fluid wasn't crimson anymore that's for sure.