I was changing the transmission fluid in my 96 SE this past weekend. Everything was going super until I got to the last bolt. Actually the one nut in the screen cover. The screw it attaches to was turning and the nut wouldn't come off. It had me licked at that point so I just pulled down on the screen and emptied all the fluid out, cleaned it as best I could and then bolted it all back up. Ever notice how it the last bolt that causes problems. Anybody know why this happend or how to prevent it. I later though I could have slotted the end of the screw and used a screw driver to hold it while I backed off the nut, but shudder to think of using a grinder with the exposed guts of an automatic tranny.

 

why didnt you just unscrew the nut on the pan and drain all the oil that way? same as changing the motor oil in the engine. you are just making things harder for yourself.

 

No he isn't. When changing the trans fluid you first drain with the drain plug and then remove the pan to clean the magnets, the screen, and whatever else is in there. It's like 40 bolts all together but it's better than just draining it.

 

It's 21 bolts if i remember correctly. The pan is heavier than it looks.

LEMAR

 

Yeah, 21 bolts outside and like 8 or so for the screen inside.

 

"why didnt you just unscrew the nut on the pan and drain all the oil that way? same as changing the motor oil in the engine. you are just making things harder for yourself"

Nope I disagree. When I dropped the pan, at least two more quarts of old fluid came out. Of course I could have stopped there and wouls have probably been fine.

Also when you drop the pan, you can clean the magents.

 

you still arent going to get all the oil changed. there is still going to be more oil in the tranny itself. so that why people change their oil 2-3 times so they can get al the dirty oil out. u guys just are trying to find a way to do it only once and that will never happen.

 

There is a bolt removal pattern you should follow. Did you follow those? To loosen things you go from outside in. To tighten things you go from middle to outward

Dont remove any bolts until everything is loose.

 

I had the same problem with the nut. This seems to be a common occurance, after reading several of the same experiences in the fluids forum. I got lucky--I gave the thread a little whack with the hammer to reseat it and then I was able to unscrew the nut. I'm glad I was able to remove the screen and put in the new one, because the old one was clogged up.