Transmission filter change

[FunkyFresh]

I need some advice on changing my transmission filter and fluid, I've looked all over the net and the closest thing I can find to some sort of guide is for range rovers. Is this a super complicated procedure? The part is only like $50 and I can buy whatever tools I need to do it, I just need some tips on how to do it. I have a 97 Disco 1 4.0 with automatic transmission.

 

[NHESS81]

it is a huge pain in the ass....from what i know, you need to remove the crossmember that runs under the transmission and bolts to the chassis rails...apparently this is very difficult to get out, even if you get the bolts out, i have heard of people having to use jacks in a wierd way to pop it loose...so thats hurdle #1...you might have to unhook the exhaust y-pipes at the manifold to gain access as well, thats hurdle #2....#3 is that you have to disconnect the the damnit i am forgetting the name, filler tube/dip stick hose (i guess this is kinda hard to do also, not sure where or how to disconnect it but i would imagine if you crawl under there it is easy to figure out)...#4 you then have to undo the, i think nine, bolts that hold the tranny pan (hmm, you probably have to undo the drain plug before this step lol), and gently drop the pan down...#5 you have to use an allen wrench--i think it is on our D1 era discos--to undo the bolts holding the 'filter' down (if you havent seen it the filter is a ********* square thing i think)...then the refit is opposite of removal.

there doesnt seem to be anything impossible about the job, but i would make sure i had a few days where i didnt need my truck and access to another vehicle before i tackled it...i wanted an indy shop near me to do it, but itll be around 250-320 or sumtin, which sucks, but boy it sure does seem like a PITA procedure...

*edit: disclaimer, i have never done this, i just know the procedure is outlined in my hayne's manual, and i think most of my steps are pretty accurate, but at least it gives you a baseline of what is involved....oh another thing, i dont know what position the tranny should be in (i.e. PRND321) wonder if it matters? oh ya, there should be a magnet in the tranny pan, see if its collected a ton of metal shavings that would be a bad thing, just clean it off and put it back in there...

 

[FunkyFresh]

daaaang... sounds like a lot of work. I don't think anyone around my town is really familiar with land rovers either so I'm kinda of skeptical about taking it into a transmission shop. I could proably do it, it just sounds like a repair that isn't going to be fun.

Do you know how to change the differential fluids? I need to do that too.

 

[NHESS81]

yeah, im in the same boat...i COULD do it, but wow, its hard to make me WANT to...it NEEDS to be done tho, its low and baked...

differential fluid is easier, you should get yourself some sort of pump to put fluid back into the diffs after draining....

first off, a 1/2" drive socket (you know, use a large ratchet, the head should be about 1/2 just makin sure you know what a drive socket is...took me awhile to figure out and im 20 LOL), either way a '*****' large ratchet WILL work on the fill and drain plugs, just so you know

make sure you can get the FILL plug out before you drain it, because if the fill is stuck, and you drain the fluid, oh boy! lol....so once you get that off, you can drain it, then replace the drain plug, and pump in gear oil....not sure, think 90w? eitehr way, you can look it up, fill it up until it dribbles out of the fill plug....the fill plug is the one that is half way up the diffs, the drain is on the bottom...that easy! you should change your transfer case fluid too if you can, the fill plug on that one is HARD to get off usually, its waaaaay up on the side of the transfer case, but same procedure and i think oil weight as the diffs...but that should be a job you can do yourself in an afternoon, leave the tranny stuff for a LONG weekend!

 

[FunkyFresh]

Alright thanks. Where can I get a pump to fill it with?

 

[FunkyFresh]

PS what is a drive socket? lol. How is it different than a regular socket?

 

[NHESS81]

i dont know about the pump to fill it with....check a local auto store?...drive socket, is nothing different, just the term i have heard used, just use a ratchet without a socket attached to it....easy enough....---something like this? http://shbright.en.alibaba.com/product/0/50254803/Auto_Transmission_Fluid_Pump.html -----just searching, look for something similar? i havent done it yet, my diff fluids are actually OK right now...

 

[FunkyFresh]

oh alright, thanks... I went looked under my car and saw the square bolt things on the differentials and I also checked the transmission filter area out and saw the big crossover that's in the way and the exhaust pipe is in the way too. Do you know where the transfer case fluid is located?

 

[NHESS81]

its waaay up on the drivers side of the transfer case....get a flashlight, and you can spot it, but its not the most accessible, hence the difficulty in gettin that fill plug opened up...

 

[FunkyFresh]

okay thanks. I'm really appreciating your help. So I just undo the bolt and it will come out, then I refill with the pump thing?