Tranny Filter

[nfpgasmask]

OK, so yesterday, I changed the fluid in the trans, transfer case, and put in a new transmission filter & gasket.

First off, let me say that my fluid was BAD. Totally chocolate colored and burnt smelling. I'm at 29,000 miles and I do not think this service has ever been performed. I drained about 5 quarts or so of fluid.

It really was not as difficult as I thought it was going to be. I did the service with my good friend who is also a part-time mechanic. He was utterly amazed that the VX has no dipstick or fill reservoir under the hood. We used a little hand pump that we got at Pep Boys to pump the new ATF in. I used Mobile 1 ATF. We filled the trans until the fill plug was just spilling out ATF. I think this is the right amount. I hope so anyway. I'm going under again to check for leaks and to check my fluid level again today or tomorrow.

Thanks to the tips from everyone, I felt confident enough to do this work on my own. If anyone has any follow-up tips or precautions, please let me know.

Also, one thing that made it easier: I bought my filter and gasket about a week prior to the service. As soon as I got the filter and gasket, I took out the gasket and put it flat under my floor matting all week. So, when it came time to replace the gasket, I was able to lay in on the pan nice and flat and replaced it with no difficulty. The old gasket came off easily as well. Didn't need to scrape at all.

Shifting seemed smoother from the get go. All in all, the job went smooth.
Even in power mode, shifting felt better, however I think the aggressive shifting is normal for power mode.

I'm rolling out to the dunes this weekend. After I get back, I'm gonna change the diff fluid and soon after I'm gonna change the tranny fluid again since I switched to synthetic.


Thanks - Bart

[Joe_Black]

Glad to hear ya got the job done Bart! Wasn't that bad after all, huh?

If you didn't cycle through all the gears under brake load before finishing, be sure to check your fluid level again as the TC and valve body will suck up a bunch, not to mention the little bit saturating the new filter. In that case you'll get in maybe around 2 more quarts. And the more you get in there the better!

Personally I wouldn't worry about another immediate fluid change because of the switch to syntehtic. Maybe wait at least 10 to 15 thousand miles. The reason for most short changes after switching to synthetic is for engines where synthetic typically releases built-up sludge from a motor previously used with conventional oil. This isn't a problem with a transmission in most cases.

[nfpgasmask]

Hey Thanks! No, it really wasn't nearly as hard as I anticipated. Just messy, messy, messy.

Yes, after we filled it up and capped off the fill plug, I started her up and cycled through all the gears, then I drove it about a mile to the local lunch joint, ate, came back and checked the level again, it was fine, a small stream poured out. I guess I am more worried about overfill. I am going to unplug it again tonight or tomorrow just to be sure, as I am going on a 5 hour drive to the dunes this Friday.

Bart

Glad to hear ya got the job done Bart! Wasn't that bad after all, huh?

If you didn't cycle through all the gears under brake load before finishing, be sure to check your fluid level again as the TC and valve body will suck up a bunch, not to mention the little bit saturating the new filter. In that case you'll get in maybe around 2 more quarts. And the more you get in there the better!

Personally I wouldn't worry about another immediate fluid change because of the switch to syntehtic. Maybe wait at least 10 to 15 thousand miles. The reason for most short changes after switching to synthetic is for engines where synthetic typically releases built-up sludge from a motor previously used with conventional oil. This isn't a problem with a transmission in most cases.

[Ldub]

This has been posted in the past, but just in case you missed it...

[Joe_Black]

Yeah, the whole "no dipstick" aspect of the 4L30E has been it's greatest complaint for the owners of the various makes it's been installed in. Once, I came across mention of a "dipstick tube" part and had hoped to see if such a thing would bolt up to the models without a tube. Never could get more info than the vague snippet I stumbled on.

If the Aisin 5-speed install goes nicely in the rally VX we're building then I may just need to convert the IronMan too.

[nfpgasmask]

Yeah, and then I can stop by next time i'm in FLA and have you do up mine too!

Now, I must tell you, on the way home from work today the shifting slammed a few times while going up from 2nd to 3rd, and I was not in power mode either. I did what I did last time, pulled over, shut off for a minute, started up and drove home the rest of the way with no trouble.

I wonder why this happens, especially since I just changed my fluid. I am not happy about this, but maybe its just how the VX is. I dunno. I'm gonna check my level once she cools down a bit. I hope there is nothing seriously "wrong" or "damaged" with my VX's tranny. Especially since the VX is still "new" to me, being an owner for only 3-4 month now.

Bart

Yeah, the whole "no dipstick" aspect of the 4L30E has been it's greatest complaint for the owners of the various makes it's been installed in. Once, I came across mention of a "dipstick tube" part and had hoped to see if such a thing would bolt up to the models without a tube. Never could get more info than the vague snippet I stumbled on.

If the Aisin 5-speed install goes nicely in the rally VX we're building then I may just need to convert the IronMan too.

[Ldub]

Some of you plagued by slam bam shifting might possibly have gotten one that has had the trans. interceptor installed & tweaked a little too much.
It's a remote possibility, but ...
Just a thought.

[Tobert]

Yeah, the whole "no dipstick" aspect of the 4L30E has been it's greatest complaint for the owners of the various makes it's been installed in. Once, I came across mention of a "dipstick tube" part and had hoped to see if such a thing would bolt up to the models without a tube. Never could get more info than the vague snippet I stumbled on.

If the Aisin 5-speed install goes nicely in the rally VX we're building then I may just need to convert the IronMan too.

Take LOTS of pictures! I would love to have a manual in my VX. Are you going with a donor vehicle or piecing it together?

[Joe_Black]

Are you going with a donor vehicle or piecing it together?

We're going to raid the drivetrain from a late-model 5-speed Trooper since it already has the proper bell housing, mounts, clutch pedal with hanger/master cylinder and any other necessary hardware.

[nfpgasmask]

This has been posted in the past, but just in case you missed it...

Yeah, I have seen it, printed it and keep a copy in my VX. But let me ask you all, what exactly does the document mean by:

"Add released transmission fluid until it flows out over the overfill screw opening."

How do you add "released" fluid? I assume released fluid is fluid that is coming out of the fill hole??? And when the doc refers to the "overfill screw opening", is this the same as the fill hole? Or is there another opening that I missed all together???

The document is very confusing to me. Everything else makes sense but that. Can someone clear this up?

Thanks,

Bart

[Ldub]

I'm pretty sure the "overfill screw opening" is the same as the fill opening, especially in light of the fact that they mention replacing the gasket on only two locations (overfill & drain).
As far as "released" fluid goes...who knows.
One thing to keep in mind, these manuals are often translated by a person or persons who have a marginal grasp of the english language & it's terminologies/ proper usage.