Transmission - Diff - Change

[JHarris1385]

I am going to tackle a transmission and differentails fluid change this weekend. I want to be properly prepared for this is my first time. So I would like to start a check list on here and ask if you all would fill it out for me. I dont know what all is needed and what is the best for this.

Transmission change - what is needed?
1.
2.
3.
4.

Diff change - what is needed?
1.
2.
3.
4.


Any Tools?

[Triathlete]

There is actually a very good write up on this subject somewhere here on the board...should be able to find it with the search!

[Triathlete]

Less than a minute and here you go...Joe Blacks how to ...search is your friend! Don't fear it!

[JHarris1385]

Can you get the filter and gasket at an AutoZONE?

What about the diffs? Did not see a write up on that.

[nfpgasmask]

Yes, I got mine at AutoZone for $30-$40. The filter should come with the gasket.

Bart

Can you get the filter and gasket at an AutoZONE?

What about the diffs? Did not see a write up on that.

[Triathlete]

THIS has some good info on the diffs including pics of the drain and fill holes.

[etlsport]

the diffs are easy.. heres some quick tips though...

remove the fill plug first.. youll be pretty PO'd if you drain your diff then cant fill it

check your manual for capacities and oil weights

you will need two drain pans.. i dont think you can fit both differentials and the transmission all in one pan

when you start draining the front, you may need a long screwedriver or coathanger to poke some sludge out of the way since the drain hole is pretty small

dont try to tube the fluid in, if you get mobil1 you can just squeeze it from the bottle straight into the fill hole

[JHarris1385]

Good info etl. Thanks. How much per diff?

How about the tod change never knew you had to do this.


Is the transmission filter over the counter at an autozone?

[Kenny]

With your ATF fluid (about 12 quarts) you can change out your transmission and TOD and power steering fluid. With a bit more you could flush...

As for your differentials, do them separately as they require an axle oil - if they are different front and back for your temperature climate, make sure you mark them good and don't mix em up.

The best info on plug nut sizes, torque, CAPACITIES, is the VX shop manual you can download from Tone.

Joe Black's instructions are awesome - make sure you do that last step and run through the gears when you think you are full, then top off. Note that it doesn't cover the TOD - that one's as easy as the differentials but with ATF.

Good Luck.

[Grand_Canyon_VXer]

DON'T forget the additive for the differentials.... !!!!

I'm sorry I don't know what the name of the additive is but i'm sure these guys can tell you...

you will know immediatly if you don't add it.

[etlsport]

LSD additive (limited slip differential.... not the other stuff) just add a tube to the rear diff... with mobil 1 synthetic i think that you dont really need it.. but it cant hurt to add

[VX crazy]

I have never used the LSD additive and have changed fluids 3 times with Royal Purple, runs like a charm. To my understanding you do NOT need that additive with synthetic fluids.

[JHarris1385]

So help me out a bit here. I am a bit illiterate on this.

for the transmission i need
1. 10mm - 19mm
2. 10 quarts of ATF
3. Funnel
4. 3/8 tube in 6ft long
5. catch pan 10quart+
6. filter
7.gasket
8. adapter pan gasket??
9. scrapper
10.scotchbrite pads
11. silicon gasket maker??

Questions takes ten quarts? Are the bottles in quart sizes as well?
What exactally is ATF? And what kind to get? And how much is this?

I ask this and might sound dumb, but I have never cared to learn about this spectrum untill ownership of a VX normally ill be honest, I would tell my dad what my car needs he gives me a blank check and I take it to the dealership. But not anymore.

Also, I am still unclear on what to do with the TOD (where is it located, what kind of oil, how much....)

The differentials require what kind of oil for my Southern Indiana driving? Does the back and front really require seperate oils from each other?
What kind is the best?

I would like to either tackle this tonight if I become confident enough with hopefully the supplied information or at least this weekend.

Thanks in advance to whomever chimes in.

[nfpgasmask]

ATF = Automatic Transmission Fluid. What it exactly is, I could't tell ya. Its pinkish, smells bad/funny and isn't fun to spill all over your garage and self. I put Mobile-1 Synthetic ATF in my trans. I don't think it is ten quarts though, I remember it being more like 6, but you should always get more than you think you need, as not having enough would suck, when you have to go back to the store and get more and your VX is on jack stands.

IIRC, there is only one gasket. This gasket should come with the filter and it goes on your pan. You will see what I mean after you drop the pan. You may need a plastic scraper to remove the old gasket. In my case, it came off with no issue.

The only other thing I would suggest, is to NOT do it tonight, wake up early on Saturday and tackle it fresh, with the whole day ahead of you and plenty of light. I think it is a little more tedious than the instructions lay out, especially since you sound like you're like me, which is new to doing your own auto work. Filling it back up was the hard part, imo. Follow the instuctions, and make sure you get enough fluid in there.

And don't forget to flatten out that gasket for 24 hours inbetween some books!

Bart

So help me out a bit here. I am a bit illiterate on this.

for the transmission i need
1. 10mm - 19mm
2. 10 quarts of ATF
3. Funnel
4. 3/8 tube in 6ft long
5. catch pan 10quart+
6. filter
7.gasket
8. adapter pan gasket??
9. scrapper
10.scotchbrite pads
11. silicon gasket maker??

Questions takes ten quarts? Are the bottles in quart sizes as well?
What exactally is ATF? And what kind to get? And how much is this?

I ask this and might sound dumb, but I have never cared to learn about this spectrum untill ownership of a VX normally ill be honest, I would tell my dad what my car needs he gives me a blank check and I take it to the dealership. But not anymore.

Also, I am still unclear on what to do with the TOD (where is it located, what kind of oil, how much....)

The differentials require what kind of oil for my Southern Indiana driving? Does the back and front really require seperate oils from each other?
What kind is the best?

I would like to either tackle this tonight if I become confident enough with hopefully the supplied information or at least this weekend.

Thanks in advance to whomever chimes in.

[etlsport]

J, you can easily do your differentials tonight, the front took me no longer than 20 minutes.. the rear took me almost two hours.. but about an hour and a half of that was trying to gravity feed the differential through a tube, once i gave up on the tube and just squeezed the oil from the bottle into the differential, it took like 10 minutes
you will need sockets up to 24mm, the rear diff drain plug can only be removed with a socket, a wrench wont get in there

the quick procedure...

remove the fill plug on the differential

place drain pan under drain plug

remove drain plug and let drain, you could jack up the opposite side of the vx to assist in draining if you want.

replace the drain plug (on the rear differential make sure you have the copper washer gasket)

fill the differential by cutting the tip of the bottle off, and squeezing directly into the differential, you will need 2.5 quarts for the front and a little over 3 quarts for the rear, you will know when its full when it starts to leak back out the fill hole

on the rear diff if you use mobil1 synthetic you dont need the lsd additive, if you use regular gear oil you will need the additive, add it before you add the oil in the rear diff

replace the fill plug

double check to make sure all is tightened back up

clean up