I'm swapping trans fluid and filter (And adjusting the bands)

new filter came with rubber gasket.. it had cork on.

everything I've read indicated don't use metal tools, risking scratches I either surface. I have been using a, plastic scraper and brake cleaner... having trouble getting much more off. How clean do I need to be?

 

 

If you want it to seal properly, and not leak, it ALL needs to be gone.

 

^^ What he said. Get a gasket scraper and clean both surfaces thoroughly. For the pan, I recommend using a brass brush attachment for a drill.



Clean thoroughly afterward and hit the bare metal with primer and paint (if desired). DO NOT follow lame suggestions to leave bits of the old gasket and goop extra sealant to fill the gaps. You risk leaks and also stray blobs of sealant breaking off and clogging passageways. Then, your method of "saving time" will end up costing thousands of dollars.

 

So - this business about not using metal tools to scrape for fear of scratching and damaging the surface is less concerning that some would indicate?

While I don't have a brass brush drill attachment handy (my backup car is being used this week as the daughter is in town) - I certainly have various metal tools intended for paint scraping in household applications.

-Ray

 

Brass is softer than steel, and won't scratch it, it just polishes it nicely.

 

I have guns. And tools to clean them

 

That'll work.

 

The bronze bore brush on my cordless drill basically sanded the cork off the pan. Before I use it on transmission side...protect the internals from cork dust?

 

Wouldn't hurt. Just be careful on the angle you are running it at, so it wants to throw the crap AWAY from the trans.