Will be doing the full fluid flush this week.

Been wanting to get ahold of a new gasket and a new screen.

Several parts stores that stock the needed parts state that in order to replace the filter, trans disassembly is required (i.e. valve body removal).

However, the Haynes manual illustrates the filter/screen being right friggin there once the pan is removed and all of the posts I've read here say pretty much the same thing.

The FSM does not illustrate or discuss a "filter". It illustrates the screen but does not talk about its removal... it only talks about removing the control valve.

Am I missing something?

dont worry bout wat the computer says, wat the haynes manual says is right, i work at an auto place and it does say you need to dissassemble some parts, but thats not true, ive done it myself on my 96. just remove the pan and it is just right there, take it off, put a new screen in, and clean out the pan and remove all the gasket material, then bolt everything up and refil, then flush it by removing the small hose comin from the radiator, take like ten bottles i think to get that fluid completly clean, but its worth it

I'd say two things ....

1. If you take it apart and see what you need to, then what's the problem? If you don't see what you need, follow the instructions. That simple.

2. As for flushing it w/o a trans flush machine, hahahahah have fun! You can use an air fitting to hook up to the trany line and then make a resivouir to hold the new fluid and use air pressure to 'push' the new fluid in. You can also use a pump suction gun - if you don't mind taking forever to do this job.

AT-219, section A clearly shows how to remove the screen assembly from the valve body. Nothing else required but to drop the pan.

well lookey lookey... i apparently didn't read far enough... i was stuck at AT-195 thru AT-199.

It's a fine metal screen, just clean it with brake clean and put it back in.