...or are the transmission pan bolts on most vehicles ridiculously weak?? I've now done transmission fluid/filter replacement on a Ford, Nissan, Chrysler, and Toyota over the last 10 years or so, and in every case I ALWAYS manage to twist the head off of AT LEAST one pan bolt on each of these?!? WTF? My latest victim was on my Runner, I managed to kill the pan bolt just off the drivers side bell housing. I never get leaks afterwards, just frustrated about the bolt I broke.

I try to be a good boy and use a short handled rachet with as minimal extension as needed to get the job done, but I alway seem to twist on off. Yea.. yea, I know a torque wrench and following the torque spec would probably prevent this, but I barely seem to get them snugged up or finger tight with my socket and extension, then but the rachet on to give 'em a ¼-½ turn (depending upon resistance) and the one of the d$#% heads ALWAYS seems to just roll off (no snap, pop, crack). :pat: I feel that without the ¼-½ turn they might work themselves loose over time due to vibration.

 

I have never had a problem with the transmission or oil pans on toyota's.. I always strip out exhaust bolts but that's about it..

I torque them using a 1/4 in drive in/lb torque wrench

 

Body building is hard on cars.

 

Nope.. if you tighten them, you squish the gasket and it can leak.. You do not want to tighten the pan to the housing, just the pan to the gasket.. Back off some preasure on those bolts next time.. :pat: