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Transmission oil change.

Heres a newbie question.

Anyways, I just got my FD and want to do a transmission oil change just to be safe.
Going to change the engine oil too.

I've never dont a transmission oil change on a FD before. Is there anything I should look out for?
Can anyone point me to where I might find some instructions on this?

Oh, and also, where might I find some Redline MTL?
I'm in SF Bay Area in Cali.

Thanks!

Its easy to change the oil on a FD, all you need to do is follow these instructions which can also be found on robrobinette.com

Changing the diff and transmission fluids [anon]
The diff is easy the transmission is tricky. First I went to Home Depot and got 8 Ft of 5/8th od dia clear tubing and a plastic funnel set. That's how you get the oil in the transmission and differential. Now, make sure you have 3 new aluminum washers for the large transmission drain plug, the differential fill plug and differential drain plug before you start. I get mine from the dealer. I don't like using the copper ones that the parts stores usually carry because, at least here at the beach, galvanic corrosion (from dissimilar metals) can be a problem. Make sure you have a tube of liquid Teflon thread sealant for the small transmission drain plug and the transmission fill plug (also at Home Depot, or you can get the fancy automotive stuff at the parts store). You also need a few large metric combination wrenches and sockets I can't remember the exact sizes but I think they were ~22-25mm. Finally you need 3 quarts of oil for the transmission and 2 quarts for the differential. I used Redline MTL for the tranny and Redline 75-W90 for the diff.
The differential is easy the plugs are in the back, undo the fill plug then undo the drain plug. Put the new washers on the plugs, and put the drain back in. Stuff one end of the hose into the differential fill hole, push the funnel onto the other end of the hose. Stand up next to the rear of the car while holding the funnel. Slowly pour in the oil until it just begins to spill out of the fill hole. As a side note, the car should be completely level while doing all filling operations.
Now for the transmission, there are two drain plugs, one fill plug and one plug that you don't touch. First remove the sheet aluminum cover and set it aside. On the bottom of the transmission case is an obvious big drain plug. The other three plugs are on the driver's side of the transmission. The highest one has a recessed square socket don't touch it. Approximately below it is a plug with a protruding square socket, this is the fill plug. Behind and a little below the fill plug is another protruding square socket plug, this is the second drain plug. Remove the fill plug then the big drain plug let the oil run out. Then remove the second drain plug. You remove the fill plug first other wise the oil "plops" out everywhere except in your drain pan (you did remember to put a pan under the drain plug :).To fill the trans put the new washer on the big drain plug and the sealant on the second drain plug and put them back in. Stuff the funnel in one end of the hose and ~3" of the hose in the fill hole (it just barely fits) stand up next to the car while holding the funnel and slowly pour in the oil until it just starts to spill out.

good luck

thanks!

Can I fill it while just having the front jacked up?
Or does it have to be on the ground?

How do I put the fill plug back in with out having the front jacked up?

Thats the hard part, I think. I only have one jack and two jack stands. And its impossible to slide under the car when its on the ground.

you gotta get some ramps, how low is your front end off the ground?

mines is 4 inches and i have a bodykit that makes my front end stick about 3-4 inchs further out but with my cuztom ramps, im able to easily get up. I made my cuztom ramps out of rhinoramps which can be bought from walmart for about 30 bucks (a killer deal i think) I also am using the yellow metal ramp extensions that can be bought from Kmart for about 20 bucks (a little pricy but these are totally necessary or you might scrape the front end of your car without them!)

I'll take some pics later to show you what i mean. Also you must jack on the front cross member and put the jacks under the A arms or you will bend your frame.

bump

This is a great photo write-up.

Just 'cause I'm a post whore, most auto parts stores have hand pumps you can put into the bottle and pump the fluid up into the tranny with. Long hoses and multiple hands need not apply...

Also, you can jack the car up nicely with the tire changing jack, and then place the stands in their appropriate position.

(/post whore)

Do both the tranny drain bolts need to be removed?

All I remove is that big ass 24mm one at the very bottom of the tranny and let everything drain. And then pump in a couple of quarts of fluid in from the upper fill hole.

-Dan

yeah good question. and its 2 quarts, exact?

Pull the rearward plug for another 1/2 quart or so drained.

Replace with ~2.4 qts or so. I use the hand pump, pump two bottles worth (NEO), pump the third slowly while watching the fill hole. When it starts to drool, I gove three or four more good pumps, pull the tube, and cap it. Make sure you dope the fill plug threads before you start to fill :)

dope? care to explain please.

Any one know if the auto tranny has the same drain plugs? What's the best diff and tranny fluid out there? Redline, Neo or something else?

Thx!

Quote:

Originally posted by djantlive
Any one know if the auto tranny has the same drain plugs? What's the best diff and tranny fluid out there? Redline, Neo or something else?

Thx!

The AUTO has NO drain plugs - You HAVE TO REMOVE the PAN - a drian would be helpfull BUT you still have to remove the pan to get at the 2 (yes TWO) FILTERS that MUST be replaced when changing the Auto trans fluid.

Dope = white shit you smear on the threads to keep the plug from leaking. Can use teflon tape too if'n ya wanta :)

Do most people use a modified or synthetic tranny oil? If so, can it be added without first flushing the normal oil first?

sorry to bring this back but what did you guys used to remove those square plugs?? I mean do they make a square socket or should I go at it with a regular wrench?

Why is it that all the best pictorials have dead images? Anybody save the jack images from the start of this thread or know another pictorial? I know to use the front cross-member and rear diff, but I just don't trust words without pictures.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRAG0NEER

sorry to bring this back but what did you guys used to remove those square plugs?? I mean do they make a square socket or should I go at it with a regular wrench?

I think it may have been just a 1/2" square drive or something that a socket wrench fits.

Dave

That square plug can be tackled with a 21-24mm socket. Not sure what size it is off the top of my head but one will fit like a glove