**since the mods seem to not have seen my thread posted in the wrong forum to move it, i'll re-post it here!**

is it recommended to drill a hole and drain first, or try and drop it while full with a jack and then drill it once empty? or no hole at all due to possible leaks?

 

 

Do not drill the hole first. The easiest way to remove pan is on page 21-547 of FSM or page 1-26 in the Haynes. This is from the FSM

(1) Hoist and support vehicle on safety stands.
(2) Place a large diameter shallow drain pan
beneath the transmission pan.
(3) Remove bolts holding front and sides of pan to
transmission (Fig. 91).
(4) Loosen bolts holding rear of pan to transmission.
(5) Slowly separate front of pan away from transmission
allowing the fluid to drain into drain pan.
(6) Hold up pan and remove remaining bolt holding
pan to transmission.
(7) While holding pan level, lower pan away from
transmission.
(8) Pour remaining fluid in pan into drain pan.


And I suggest you use one of these plugs.

 

Why not just get a big catch pan and drop the back of the trans pan and let it pour out one end. Then, once fluid has stopped pouring over the lip of the pan remove it and pour it out.

Just a thought...











oh and lol at Vee Dubs post.

 

Beaten to the post and with better instructions. Zman wins this round...

 

Ive never had a tranny pan with a drain plug. always just slightly loosened all bolts than focused on one side and loosened those even more. your pan will sit crooked and start to drain itsself. than you slowly go around and loosen more bolts and getting a thicker heavier flow of draining fluid. eventually loosening all bolts and steadily droping pan and pour the remaining into an oil pan sitting on the ground. wipe out the tranny pan clean the magnet and go about your project.

 

Actually, this is the approach that should be taken:

 

Nothing say's it can't still be, just go " Ask Alice"

 

 

By far the cleanest and easiest way I have ever removed transmission fluid for a filter change (on a pan without a plug) is by siphoning it out through the dipstick tube under the hood. Get yourself some means of a 'fluid transfer pump' (I think even harbor freight has one for like $5) and some tube of appropriate diameter and length.

Feed the tube down the dipstick tube until it's in the trans fluid, and put the 'exhaust' tube into a bucket, and start pumping!!

I actually use a LiquiVac oil vacuum and it works WONDERS. Works great with lawnmowers, and on power steering reservoirs as well.

Zero mess, and NO "having to undo half the pan while it drips all over the floor and my arms" mess.

Trust me. You'll love doing it this way.