Can someone help me out? I can't seem to find a how-to picture instructions on changing my transmission fluid. I just hit 45k. Please help.

 

It is quite simple. Remove the the 10MM pan bolts, drop the pan. Pop out the filter, reinstall the filter and pan, you can reuse the gasket if you had no prior leaks. Fill with new ATF roadtest and recheck the fluid level.

When I drop a pan, I start at one end, take out all the bolts, then work my way up the sides until I get to the other end. I then go to one corner and work my way to the other corner. Leaving 1 corner bolt in and letting the ATF drain out. Then I slowing take the last bolt out and let it drain some more. Then hold the pan up and remove the last bolt and lower the pan. It is rather simple to do so without making a mess if you have a nice size drain pan. If you have a converter drain plug, it would be a good idea to drain that too. The drain plug is 11MM and you can rotate the engine until it is lined up with the inspection hole.

If all else fails, no honest transmission shop should charge you more then $70-$80 bucks for a Transmission service and converter drain. I know I couldn't and still feel good about myself. Goodluck. -Mat-

 

Shop Manual says:

Click here

 

Good time to do a FTVB and 4 X 4 pan. I just punched a hole in my factory pan to keep the mess down when draining the tranny. This has been my favorite mod so far of the few I have done.

 

Best way is to buy a 4X4 pan (with the drain) and drill a small hole in your old pan to let the fluid out (be careful not to go too deep) Much less of a mess. Oh yea....throw out the old pan!

 

Anyone that listens to that and does not install a new filter is crazy. Especially when the pan is off already. I wouldn't ruin a good tranny pan either. -Mat-

 

Does this one go along with the "Lubed" for life caliper
bolts and the "Lubed" for life ball joints, Mat?

This is what you get at FORD service RIGHT? Unless there
is a TSB like the one I just got in the mail for the
T-BIRD transmission recall ...

 

As far as not installing a new filter , your absolutely correct, but realize that the factory tranny pan is CRAP, and no one will buy it after you yank it off....with or without the drilled hole! Just trash it!

 

Where can I buy the 4x4 pan?
How much do the FTVB's cost?
Greg

 

You never know when someone may need a stock tranny pan.

 

I've got a garage full of "you never know when you might need" parts for the last 20 years!

 

Check out Tim @ Chikenears for the FTVB & pan. You will not be dissapointed.

 

HaHa! For some reason I have had to change a lot of these "lubed for life" parts at my shop. I still feel for the fool that thinks he has 100,000 mile spark plugs in his aluminum heads. Feel even worse for the guy he takes it to since he can't do anything himself. -Mat-

 

We now have Factory Tech Mercon Transmission Fluid, a synthetic blend MERCON made especially for the 4R100. It comes in 5 gallon containers (how much you need for a flush and fill). It's $100 shipped, and Tim may not have it on his site yet, but if you e-mail him or any of the dealers, we'll take care of you.

G