(If you want to skip the long explanation, jump to the next paragraph) I'm in the process of changing tranny fluid and filter after replacing my neutral safety switch. Hopefully I'm gonna finish up tomorrow. The last thing I did was bolt on the new tranny filter, but then I glanced at my Haynes manual, and it said something about making sure to clean off the old gasket material before putting the filter back on. I don't remember seeing any kind of gasket material on the top side of the filter or anywhere around what I believe is the valve body, plus I inspected the new filter very closely and didn't see any kind of gasket material any where.

I'd rather not remove the new tranny filter before bolting the pan on, so did I miss something...is there some kind of gasket above the filter that I need to clean off and perhaps go buy a new gasket for the new filter?

 

There's no gasket to clean off. I can't remember if there is a grommet or bare metal 'washer', but it's built in to the filter.

On the other hand, it's one bolt to remove the gasket if the pan is already off, right?

 

3 bolts actually...I just thought someone would know since it was gonna be several hours before I would get back on it. But, yes there's an outer metal trim ring around the whole gasket, and the three bolt holes are basically metal grommets.

BTW, I was able to look at the Chiltons manual. It doesn't mention any gasket surface above the filter. It just says remove the bolts & gasket, put the new one on and torque the 3 bolts to 35 in-lb.

 

I've never had to clean any material off when doing a filter swap, and I've done 2.

 

Ditto, and I have done WAY more than 2....

 

Great, thanks for everyone's replies.

BTW, anybody know what size socket fits the rear band adjustment stud. Will an 8-mm 12-point work? I got a couple minutes this afternoon before I had to stop again. No standard sizes would fit.

 

Please help with this (my truck is a '96 318 (5.2L)). I've tried several different sizes...very ticked off right now. It seems like none of my 12-pt sockets will work because the corners of the square end of the adjustment screw are rounded off by the manufacturer. Is that by design to make it difficult for the average Joe to do such a simple task?

I'm not sure but I'm afraid I may have turned the adjustment screw a little bit trying the different sizes, so I just can't let it go and finish my fluid change cuz it'll cause problems if it did turn some.

 

To be perfectly honest, when I did my rear band adjustment I had to use a pair of vice grips, I didn't have a socket to fit it either...

 

But, how did you know when you reached the right torque?

 

I'm about to go buy a gator grip socket. That should work.