Draining & Refilling: Transmission
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2002 GMC Envoy XL, 2002 GMC Envoy, and 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Raise and support vehicle. Place a drain pan under the transmission oil pan. Remove the oil pan drain plug, if equipped.
- If necessary, remove the bolts and position aside the shift cable bracket for clearance while lowering the pan. It is not necessary to remove the shift cable from the lever or bracket.
- Remove the oil pan bolts from the front and sides of the pan only. Loosen the rear oil pan bolts approximately 4 turns. Lightly tap the oil pan with a rubber mallet in order to loosen the pan to allow the fluid to drain.
- Remove the remaining oil pan bolts. Remove the oil pan and the gasket. Grasp firmly while pulling down with a twisting motion in order to remove the filter. See Fig 1 .
- Remove the filter seal. The filter seal may be stuck in the pump; if necessary, carefully use pliers or another suitable tool to remove the seal. See Fig 2 . Discard the seal. Inspect the fluid color.
- Inspect the filter. Pry the metal crimping away from the top of the filter and pull apart. The filter may contain the following evidence for root cause diagnosis:
- Clutch material.
- Bronze slivers indicating bushing wear.
- Steel particles.
- Clean the transmission case and the oil pan gasket surfaces with solvent, and air dry. You must remove all traces of the old gasket material.
- Coat the new filter seal with automatic transmission fluid. Install the new filter seal into the transmission case. Tap the seal into place using a suitable size socket. See Fig 3 . Install the new filter into the case. Install the oil pan and a new gasket.
- Install the oil pan bolts. Tighten the oil pan bolts alternately and evenly to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . If previously removed, install the shift cable bracket and bolts. Tighten the bolts to specification.
- Apply a small amount of sealant to the threads of the oil pan drain plug, if equipped. Install the oil pan drain plug, if equipped. Tighten the oil pan drain plug to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Lower the vehicle. Fill transmission with appropriate fluid to proper level. See RECOMMENDED FLUIDS and FLUID CAPACITIES . Check the COLD fluid level reading for initial fill only. Inspect the oil pan gasket for leaks.