Removing transmission pan....2 quick questions

Mason Dixon · 02-08-2007, 12:32 PM

First time I've done this and all the haynes says is to drain and unscrew the bolts holding the pan on

my questions are:

a) it looks like the dipstick separates in the middle, whats the best way to separate it without damaging it(like I would think pliers would do)

b) do I have to remove the front swaybar? it looks like the pan will not drop unless the swaybar is removed or at least loosened up

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mkgarrison5 · 02-08-2007, 12:42 PM

what make and model please lol.. need info

Mason Dixon · 02-08-2007, 12:47 PM

2000 4 runner

MTL_4runner · 02-08-2007, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mason Dixon

First time I've done this and all the haynes says is to drain and unscrew the bolts holding the pan on

my questions are:

a) it looks like the dipstick separates in the middle, whats the best way to separate it without damaging it(like I would think pliers would do)

b) do I have to remove the front swaybar? it looks like the pan will not drop unless the swaybar is removed or at least loosened up

I prefer to pull the dipstick, then undo the one bolt on top holding the dipstick tube to the engine block. After that, just twist and yank on the tube at the same time and it should come free (there's just an o-ring between the two parts). Dropping the sway bar from it's mounts only takes a few seconds and makes it much easier to get the pan on and off (esp important when it's covered in RTV when you go to put it back on) so I would definately do that as well.

Mason Dixon · 02-08-2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTL_4runner

I prefer to pull the dipstick, then undo the one bolt on top holding the dipstick tube to the engine block. After that, just twist and yank on the tube at the same time and it should come free (there's just an o-ring between the two parts). Dropping the sway bar from it's mounts only takes a few seconds and makes it much easier to get the pan on and off (esp important when it's covered in RTV when you go to put it back on) so I would definately do that as well.

thankyou sir

***midiwall*** · 02-08-2007, 02:10 PM

Also note that this is a MESSY job. You need to figure on spilling a quart or two of ATF - it's pretty hard not to.

My local Gawd learned me to:

Do this cold. It will minimize the amount of ATF stuck up high on the various pieces.
Drain as much as you can out of the pan via the drain plug. (NOTE: When it stops dripping, there's still a LOT more in there)
Pull all the bolts 'cept for the two middle ones.
Loosen the two middles, but leave a couple of threads engaged.
Place a large bucket on the ground under the tranny pan.
Crack the pan loose from the housing (it's stuck there with RTV) then tilt the pan to one end, draining as much from the pan that you can.
Tilt the pan to the other end, doing the same.
If you don't have someone to help, then stuff your shoulder up against the pan to hold it flush against the transmission.
Remove those last two screws, and practice your Yoga in spinning around and grabbing the pan with your hands, maintaining pressure against the tranny.
As level as you can. pull the pan away from the tranny. There's about 1/2 quart of ATF left in it.
Dump the pan into the bucket and...
...look behind you 'cause there's a BUNCH of ATF dripping all over the ground.

Now, if you're looking to pull the valve body as well, you'll find even more ATF stuck to things above it, and even MORE ATF _in_ the VB.

It's EVERYWHERE.

Mason Dixon · 02-08-2007, 02:15 PM

i'm still stuck getting the stabilizer/sway bar out of the way, one side was rusted up so good I ended up breaking the link and will need another one($$$) and then I need to unfasten the dipstick.....i can't believe there hasn't been a writeup done on this.....everyone makes it seem so easy to just drop the pan

MTL_4runner · 02-08-2007, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mason Dixon

i'm still stuck getting the stabilizer/sway bar out of the way, one side was rusted up so good I ended up breaking the link and will need another one($$$) and then I need to unfasten the dipstick.....i can't believe there hasn't been a writeup done on this.....everyone makes it seem so easy to just drop the pan

You should have soaked the links and bolts in WD40 or PB blaster before trying them. The job is definately alot easier if you live outside the rust belt. I fight with bolts on mine all the time and often snap them off with an impact gun every now and then. Just the price of DIY work.

gpcollen1 · 02-08-2007, 03:44 PM

First time is always a bear!!

Mason Dixon · 02-08-2007, 03:45 PM

yeah, pbBlaster is def your best friend

I'm still stuck trying to get the dipstick apart, is this a 2 man job? I've got everything loose and off(including the swaybar) and can't get the dipstick to come apart. Any tips?

***midiwall*** · 02-08-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mason Dixon

I'm still stuck trying to get the dipstick apart, is this a 2 man job? I've got everything loose and off(including the swaybar) and can't get the dipstick to come apart. Any tips?

Leave it in/on/together...

It's fun to fish down, but you can leave it in/on/together.

Mason Dixon · 02-10-2007, 01:24 PM

okay, got the tranny pan off after fishing the dipstick down which was actually very easy after i found out why it was getting snagged at the top

man, was my pan dirty! here are a few shots of the pan, as you can see, there is flakes of old tranny oil coated on the inside of the pan, it took a good hour with a wire brush, heavy industrial foaming cleaner, and brake cleaner to get the pan cleaned up

Here is the filter, after a whole can of brake cleaner and carb cleaner the sludge was just too much and I've opted to just get a new filter for 45 bux, there is no way this coming clean

Here is the cleaned up pan, I was lucky in that I didn't find any visible metal flakes in the pan and hopefully my shifting problem will go away with a new filter allowing full flow of tranny fluid through

I should also note that I've got 128k miles

MTL_4runner · 02-10-2007, 01:38 PM

Wow, that was in rough shape, I'm surprised the filter could get any fluid through it at all.
Any pics of the valve body? Was the fluid burnt on everywhere inside the tranny?

Mason Dixon · 02-10-2007, 01:47 PM

I don't know much about transmissions but the valve body looks to be pretty clean, i'm not sure why the pan and filter was so filthy

mt_goat · 02-10-2007, 02:07 PM

Wow, very dirty filter and pan. How many miles on that?

Mason Dixon · 02-10-2007, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mt_goat

Wow, very dirty filter and pan. How many miles on that?

I'm guessing it was never cleaned so it is probably 128k on the pan and filter, but the valve body looks to be okay, right?

MTL_4runner · 02-10-2007, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mason Dixon

I'm guessing it was never cleaned so it is probably 128k on the pan and filter, but the valve body looks to be okay, right?

Ok, yeah the valve body looks to be fine. Just clean it all as best you can (wipe the pan and mating surfaces down with brake cleaner and a clean rag) and refill with fresh fluid. I'll bet you notice quite a difference after.

02-08-2007, 12:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mason Dixon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 797	2000 4 runner __________________ http://www.sectalk.com/images/graphi...ds/alabama.gif 2000 4Runner SR5 4x4 Sport

02-08-2007, 02:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
*midiwall* Sponsoring Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Seattleish, WA Posts: 9,078	Also note that this is a MESSY job. You need to figure on spilling a quart or two of ATF - it's pretty hard not to. My local Gawd learned me to: Do this cold. It will minimize the amount of ATF stuck up high on the various pieces. Drain as much as you can out of the pan via the drain plug. (NOTE: When it stops dripping, there's still a LOT more in there) Pull all the bolts 'cept for the two middle ones. Loosen the two middles, but leave a couple of threads engaged. Place a large bucket on the ground under the tranny pan. Crack the pan loose from the housing (it's stuck there with RTV) then tilt the pan to one end, draining as much from the pan that you can. Tilt the pan to the other end, doing the same. If you don't have someone to help, then stuff your shoulder up against the pan to hold it flush against the transmission. Remove those last two screws, and practice your Yoga in spinning around and grabbing the pan with your hands, maintaining pressure against the tranny. As level as you can. pull the pan away from the tranny. There's about 1/2 quart of ATF left in it. Dump the pan into the bucket and... ...look behind you 'cause there's a BUNCH of ATF dripping all over the ground. Now, if you're looking to pull the valve body as well, you'll find even more ATF stuck to things above it, and even MORE ATF _in_ the VB. It's EVERYWHERE. __________________ ~ Mark '96 4Runner Limited S/C MI - 370cc injectors, Air! horns, Airaid MIT, ATS A-arms, 285/75/R16 BFG MTs, Bored TB, Brembo slotted, Cobra 75 WXST, Deckplate, Downey headers, Hayden cooler, IPT valve body, Level 10 torque convertor, Meanstreak exhaust, OME/OME rears, On-board PC (XM, Nav, WiFi, etc), Port 'n Polish, Remote Start, SAW fronts, Hilux console, SMT-5, Stubb's sliders, Supra MAF, TJM-17, 2.0" pulley, Viair 450c, Walbro 190, Weasy2k cams Last edited by midiwall; 02-08-2007 at 02:59 PM.

02-08-2007, 02:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mason Dixon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 797	i'm still stuck getting the stabilizer/sway bar out of the way, one side was rusted up so good I ended up breaking the link and will need another one($$$) and then I need to unfasten the dipstick.....i can't believe there hasn't been a writeup done on this.....everyone makes it seem so easy to just drop the pan __________________ http://www.sectalk.com/images/graphi...ds/alabama.gif 2000 4Runner SR5 4x4 Sport

02-08-2007, 03:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
gpcollen1 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Connecticut (NY State of Mind) Posts: 402	First time is always a bear!! __________________ '99 SR5 Sport - Desert Dune: AirRaid MIT, OEM Air Filter, Toyo 265/75/16 ATs, Deckplate, PP Springs and Bilsteins, Cheapo nerf bars, Injector replacement impending

02-08-2007, 03:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mason Dixon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 797	yeah, pbBlaster is def your best friend I'm still stuck trying to get the dipstick apart, is this a 2 man job? I've got everything loose and off(including the swaybar) and can't get the dipstick to come apart. Any tips? __________________ http://www.sectalk.com/images/graphi...ds/alabama.gif 2000 4Runner SR5 4x4 Sport

02-08-2007, 12:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
mkgarrison5 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NC Posts: 1,516	what make and model please lol.. need info

02-10-2007, 01:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mason Dixon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 797	okay, got the tranny pan off after fishing the dipstick down which was actually very easy after i found out why it was getting snagged at the top man, was my pan dirty! here are a few shots of the pan, as you can see, there is flakes of old tranny oil coated on the inside of the pan, it took a good hour with a wire brush, heavy industrial foaming cleaner, and brake cleaner to get the pan cleaned up Here is the filter, after a whole can of brake cleaner and carb cleaner the sludge was just too much and I've opted to just get a new filter for 45 bux, there is no way this coming clean Here is the cleaned up pan, I was lucky in that I didn't find any visible metal flakes in the pan and hopefully my shifting problem will go away with a new filter allowing full flow of tranny fluid through I should also note that I've got 128k miles __________________ http://www.sectalk.com/images/graphi...ds/alabama.gif 2000 4Runner SR5 4x4 Sport Last edited by Mason Dixon; 02-10-2007 at 01:33 PM.

02-10-2007, 01:38 PM	#13 (permalink)
MTL_4runner Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Montreal, QC Canada Posts: 8,807	Wow, that was in rough shape, I'm surprised the filter could get any fluid through it at all. Any pics of the valve body? Was the fluid burnt on everywhere inside the tranny? __________________ - Jamie 1996 4Runner SR5 4X4 Auto Deckplate Mod, Hayden Tranny Cooler, Amsoil Air Filter, OME 881/906 N86C/N91SC Lift Best OBD II scan tool I have used!. .....and I am AMERICAN!

02-10-2007, 01:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
Mason Dixon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 797	I don't know much about transmissions but the valve body looks to be pretty clean, i'm not sure why the pan and filter was so filthy __________________ http://www.sectalk.com/images/graphi...ds/alabama.gif 2000 4Runner SR5 4x4 Sport

02-10-2007, 02:07 PM	#15 (permalink)
mt_goat Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Oklahoma State Posts: 8,916	Wow, very dirty filter and pan. How many miles on that? __________________ ~Dale~ 93 4X4 ext-cab, auto, SR5, 3.4 V6, supercharged, 2.1" pulley, URD fuel mods, Aquamist WI, IPT valve body mod, dual cases, 4" superlift front, Alcan springs rear, 33 BFG MT, ARB locked front & rear, 5.29 US Gears, RB 1" Body Lift, 1.5" ball joint spacers, manual hubs, TJM T-17, Warn m8000.

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