For those that have changed out the tranny filter on a 98 4runner, 1 question. What kind of tool did yall use to get the tranny pan off of the tranny? The gasket material is a bitch to say the least and there's not much room to move around with the driveshaft on one side and the exhaust on the other, it's a tight squeeze . I don't want to use a screwdriver and mess up the pan. I'm a little overdue to change the filter out with it having 183k and it never have been changed. Just been changing out the fluid. Suprisingly tranny shifts fine and there are no problems with it. Any advice would help, thanks!

 

I used a small prybar and worked it with a few love taps...did not seem to hurt the pan or tranny any, just be carefull and dont smack it too hard.

 

I used a MAC scraper (extra stiff but still thin) and tapped it with a hammer.. dont worry about the pan too much.. it is suprisingly sturdy.. be more carful not to scratch up the transmission surface...

I literally tore all the skin off one of my knuckle trying to scrape off that gasket material... Word of advice is to take off the old trans filter or tape up the opening or something.. it is just a stamped whole and is really really sharp.. I probably needed stitches from it, but didn't go.. Now my garage floor and driveshaft have been speckle painted in a nice shade of maroon.. Its a tight fit and I did mine at 160K and the filter and fluid both looked/smelled fine...

 

Those answers give me a little more peace of mind not messing up the tranny pan, thanks alot!

 

The "filter" is just a screen. Clean it out and re-use it.

 

That's what I plan on doing, i'm going to clean with some brake cleaner, let it dry and I have some of the permatex gray gasket maker to use for the gasket. If I have the patience and a camera i'll take pics and post them.