Draining & Cleaning
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 20 other vehicles, including the 2004 GMC Yukon XL, 2004 GMC Yukon, 2004 GMC Sierra, 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2004 Chevrolet Suburban. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
CAUTION:
When the transmission is at operating temperatures, take necessary precautions when removing the drain plug, to avoid being burned by draining fluid.
- Raise and support vehicle.
- Place a drain pan under the transmission oil pan.
- Remove oil drain plug, if equipped.
- If necessary, remove the bolts and position aside the range selector cable bracket for clearance while lowering the pan. It is not necessary to remove the 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. See Fig 1 .
- Remove the oil pan and the gasket. See Fig 2 .
- Grasp firmly while pulling down with a twisting motion in order to remove the filter. See Fig 3 .
- Remove and discard 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 4 .
- 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 clutch material, bronze slivers indicating bushing wear or 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.