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General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: Mozman68 on September 19, 2009, 01:10:51 PM

Title: transmission oil change
Post by: Mozman68 on September 19, 2009, 01:10:51 PM
So...I crawl under the Jeep to do a transmission oil change before my trip to the Badlands later this week.

Clean the fill hole so I can see it and came across a couple of things:

1)  It is a torx bolt

2)  It says "DON'T REMOVE" on the bolt

Am I crazy??  Isn't that the fill hole for my trans??  Here's a pic....blue circle around what I think is the fill hole and green circle around the drain bolt.


(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2512/3934302605_3d28582f19_o.jpg)
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: chrisfranklin on September 19, 2009, 01:26:51 PM
Its a "don't remove"-until-after-you've-unscrewed-the-drain-plug-and-drained-the-tranny-fluid deal, I'm pretty sure
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Mozman68 on September 19, 2009, 01:55:42 PM
Its a "don't remove"-until-after-you've-unscrewed-the-drain-plug-and-drained-the-tranny-fluid deal, I'm pretty sure

I want to remove that one first though...if I can't get it off I'll be in deep Jell-O if I removed the drain one first....
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: FourbangerYJ on September 19, 2009, 03:32:53 PM
I took the one out on the pass side. Not the driver side. I used a hand pump to get the MTL in.
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: st.chevrolet on September 19, 2009, 03:42:01 PM
So...I crawl under the Jeep to do a transmission oil change before my trip to the Badlands later this week.

Clean the fill hole so I can see it and came across a couple of things:

1)  It is a torx bolt

2)  It says "DON'T REMOVE" on the bolt

Am I crazy??  Isn't that the fill hole for my trans??  Here's a pic....blue circle around what I think is the fill hole and green circle around the drain bolt.


(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2512/3934302605_3d28582f19_o.jpg)

That is not your fill plug, AX5 fill plug is up high on the passenger side near the reverse switch.
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Bounty Hunter on September 19, 2009, 05:19:15 PM
Its a "don't remove"-until-after-you've-unscrewed-the-drain-plug-and-drained-the-tranny-fluid deal, I'm pretty sure
That's wrong, and makes no sense.  The fill plug looks identical to the drain plug.
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: chrisfranklin on September 19, 2009, 05:28:08 PM
That's wrong, and makes no sense.  The fill plug looks identical to the drain plug.

You are correct sort of BH.  It actually made sense to me until I realized that it didn't make sense.  :lol:

Let's put it this way Mozman, you know you have to crack in to the tranny one way or the other to get the fluid out.  Don't let the "don't remove" slow you down.  Just ignore that plug and look for the one on the other side.   
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Mozman68 on September 19, 2009, 05:47:31 PM
Hmmm...thought I looked on the other side...maybe the exhaust is blocking where I was looking...will try again tomorrow.

Every zerk was greased this afternoon...even removed the rear drive shaft for a proper greasing.... :dance:
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Jeffy on September 19, 2009, 06:43:36 PM
Behind that Tors is a spring and a pill.  You don't want to remove it.  I should have pictures of the actual plug someplace on the forums since it comes up so often.  The Fill plug is  on the passenger side.

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/yokomura/4BangerJP/transmissions/DSC_0001.jpg)
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Mozman68 on September 19, 2009, 07:10:27 PM
awesome...okay, but I was right about the drain plug, right??   :wave:
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Jeffy on September 19, 2009, 07:13:57 PM
Yes.

in short;  if it says 'Don't Remove' don't.   ;)
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Mozman68 on September 19, 2009, 07:19:26 PM
Yes.

in short;  if it says 'Don't Remove' don't.   ;)

damn...that's gonna be a pain to get off on mine....


(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2575/3935201727_0253a18348_o.jpg)
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Mozman68 on September 19, 2009, 07:21:20 PM
...and I'm okay with my Valvoline 75W90 right??  That's what Napa said....and it does say it is GL-5, MT-1 on the back....
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Jeffy on September 19, 2009, 07:43:09 PM
As long as it says MT-1 you should be OK.  :thumb:

BTW, you can fill it from the shift tower plate if you want.  Although, you'll have to make sure of how much oil you add.
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: sharpxmen on September 19, 2009, 11:52:55 PM
damn...that's gonna be a pain to get off on mine....


(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2575/3935201727_0253a18348_o.jpg)


ok, that is just retarded, on the NV3550 is on the other side - what a pain to add or change the oil, i'm glad i never had to do it my AX5.
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Mozman68 on September 20, 2009, 09:43:30 AM
Well...there's no way in hell I'll be able to get that fill plug off without removing the entire skid plate....and even then, I'm not sure if it will help THAT much....

So..Jeffy...you're suggesting I fill from the inside by the shifter??

I may need some guidance on that...will definitely be much easier to access from there....really do not want to take the skid off just to find that I still have to kill myself to reach the plug. :fish:
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: sharpxmen on September 20, 2009, 10:30:20 AM
...
So..Jeffy...you're suggesting I fill from the inside by the shifter??
...

 :clap: that's a great suggestion, and indeed probably the only reasonable way to add oil in that tranny by the looks of it.

Moz, just take off the booth and inner booth off the floor and remove the 4 bolts that hold the shifter plate - you should be able to pour the oil thru there. I'm not sure if you can do it w/o taking the plate off but since my AX5 in on the garage floor i'll go have a look and report back in a bit.
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Mozman68 on September 20, 2009, 10:36:19 AM
Thanks...if I can just remove the boot...remove the four bolts holding the plate...I'm assuming the shifter will lift right out with the plate??  And then just pour in the required 3.5 quarts....almost sounds easier than doing it from down below, but I want to make sure there isn't anything else I need to worry about...like screwing up the position of the shifter or something else like that.... :thumb:
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: sharpxmen on September 20, 2009, 11:13:25 AM
Thanks...if I can just remove the boot...remove the four bolts holding the plate...I'm assuming the shifter will lift right out with the plate??  And then just pour in the required 3.5 quarts....almost sounds easier than doing it from down below, but I want to make sure there isn't anything else I need to worry about...like screwing up the position of the shifter or something else like that.... :thumb:

you have 2 options by the looks of it. I am not sure how the TJ t-case shifter mounting plate is located but on my YJ it uses 2 of the 4 bolts from the tranny shifter, so in that case the t-case shifter also has to come off - not the best solution - see pic below
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g222/sharpxmen/Misc/ax5_shifter_plate/DSCF2097.jpg)

(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g222/sharpxmen/Misc/ax5_shifter_plate/DSCF2098.jpg)

(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g222/sharpxmen/Misc/ax5_shifter_plate/DSCF2100.jpg)

(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g222/sharpxmen/Misc/ax5_shifter_plate/DSCF2101.jpg)

i removed the little rubber booth around the shifter lever and poured a little bit of tranny oil in there on top of the lever ball - it goes in, it is fairly slow but i think it's better that messing around the exaust pipes and crossmember plate - i am guessing it will take about 15 min to add the fluid but you'll still end up ahead - if your t-case shifter is not in the way i would remove the 4 bolts and pour the oil thru there. make sure you don't rotate the shifter plate around the shifter, that is the only way you can mess up, i didnt try to do it and see if it will fit but the position of the shifter would be different so i think in that case you will notice right away

the rest of the pics (you can see the oil coming thru on one of these when i poured it around the shifter lever


(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g222/sharpxmen/Misc/ax5_shifter_plate/DSCF2099.jpg)

(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g222/sharpxmen/Misc/ax5_shifter_plate/DSCF2103.jpg)

(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g222/sharpxmen/Misc/ax5_shifter_plate/DSCF2104.jpg)

(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g222/sharpxmen/Misc/ax5_shifter_plate/DSCF2105.jpg)
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Mozman68 on September 20, 2009, 11:43:09 AM
so, if I understand correctly, I can just remove the shift boot....peel up the rubber gasket at the top of the tower and use a funnel to pour the oil in that location and it will seep into the case??

Almost seems too easy....going to pull off the boot now and see what I've got....should be the same as what you have there....

Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: sharpxmen on September 20, 2009, 11:52:00 AM
so, if I understand correctly, I can just remove the shift boot....peel up the rubber gasket at the top of the tower and use a funnel to pour the oil in that location and it will seep into the case??

Almost seems too easy....going to pull off the boot now and see what I've got....should be the same as what you have there....



yes, you are correct, the oil will sip around the shifter lever ball - there is an isolator booth as well under the one you can see in the cab as well that is bolted to the floor (at least on my YJ there is one).
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Mozman68 on September 20, 2009, 01:03:03 PM
Yep....had to pull out the driver's seat to gain access as my Tuffy console wouldn't lift up without it...not even sure if I'm going to be able to get that out without removing both seats..... :fitz:
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: aw12345 on September 20, 2009, 01:26:47 PM
It's a Keep thing Moz one thing always leads top another on these darn things.
Had to fix my muffler awhile back, this invilved taking the engine/transskid and bellyup off to even begin to remove it, then the bolts holding the front pipe to the manifold had to be broken off and so forth so a simple project turned into a day of wrenching
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Mozman68 on September 20, 2009, 01:49:13 PM
preach it, brother....I officially give up....started removing the passenger seat when I realized I would have to remove the exhaust just to get to the rear bolt near the center.

The price I pay for having a long arm setup...would have room to get up in there if the stinkin' arm on the passenger side wasn't there...oh well.

Gave me a chance to really clean out around the console...just putting everything back in now.   :brick:
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: VA_YJ on September 20, 2009, 06:43:23 PM
Moz,  I do mine from the bottom using an oil suction gun.  It's like a big syringe that holds about 2/3 of a quart.  Just keep squirting it in until the oil overflows out of the fill hole.
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: VA_YJ on September 20, 2009, 06:49:22 PM
Also, I realize you have the long arms to deal with.  I use a long 1/2" breaker bar to loosen the plug.  If you can get a wrench on it, you might be able to get something on the wrench (e.g., a pipe, a box end wrench) to get some leverage.  Another trick is to use something (e.g., a piece of wood, pipe) to put on the wrench and then hit with a mallet or hammer.
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: sharpxmen on September 20, 2009, 06:54:11 PM
preach it, brother....I officially give up....started removing the passenger seat when I realized I would have to remove the exhaust just to get to the rear bolt near the center.

The price I pay for having a long arm setup...would have room to get up in there if the stinkin' arm on the passenger side wasn't there...oh well.

Gave me a chance to really clean out around the console...just putting everything back in now.   :brick:

or you can make a cut in the floor booth (you only need a couple of inches wide to lift that rubber gasket or whatever it's called) and after you're done staple or stitch it back together, lot easier than removing the seats - you can also use a small pond liner repair strip from home depot or lowes to seal it back, they go for about $4, still cheaper than going under the jeep or taking out both seats (or some urethane sealer if in case you have some around, that would hold if you stitch it nicely).
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: aw12345 on September 20, 2009, 07:42:35 PM
Realistically how often do you change oil.
Also lifting the body but not the axles the long arms might move out of the way enough to clear. Also you have a 2 piece skid plate should not be to hard to just remove the lower part
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Mozman68 on September 20, 2009, 07:52:17 PM
I'm not cutting into the floor....the seat would still be in the way.

I'll try jacking up the passenger side tomorrow and see if that helps.
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: sharpxmen on September 20, 2009, 08:00:21 PM
I'm not cutting into the floor....the seat would still be in the way.

I'll try jacking up the passenger side tomorrow and see if that helps.

i didn't suggest that (no metal cutting) - i thought you're past the top booth and you can't take out the lower one - i suggested to slice couple of inches in the lower rubber  booth since i will be covered by the top one, anyway nevermind the suggestion, good luck with it tomorrow.
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: jcsanders79 on September 20, 2009, 08:38:34 PM
I have always filled my auto back up via the dip stick tube?
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Mozman68 on September 21, 2009, 06:19:58 AM
i didn't suggest that (no metal cutting) - i thought you're past the top booth and you can't take out the lower one - i suggested to slice couple of inches in the lower rubber  booth since i will be covered by the top one, anyway nevermind the suggestion, good luck with it tomorrow.

sorry...misunderstood....you're right, that probably would be okay, but I'll use it as a last resort......actually, last resort will to pay dealer $150 to do it....starting to look like a better deal as each day goes by.... :'(
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Mozman68 on September 21, 2009, 06:21:13 AM
I have always filled my auto back up via the dip stick tube?

Yeah...that would be nice if I had one of those....it truly is amazing that the filler plug is where it is since the drivers side is completely accessible....what a pain in my freakin' ass....
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: TrailsLessTaken on September 21, 2009, 10:37:52 AM
I think I did pull out the plug on the drivers side when I filled mine back up.  I never looked to see if it said Do Not Remove though... ???
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: jcsanders79 on September 21, 2009, 11:17:32 AM
Thats crazy that manuals don't have a dip stick.
Title: Re: transmission oil change
Post by: Mozman68 on September 21, 2009, 11:49:11 AM
Thats crazy that manuals don't have a dip stick.

The oil in a manual is just for lube...like a differential, it shouldn't need to be changed for the life of the vehicle.....I think we all know better with vehicles that run through water, mud and the abuse that most of our rigs go through.