So I need to get my starter out to replace the contacts and the transmission dip stick tube is in the way. I know the top tube comes out (already removed the bolt) but it seems to be stuck to the bottom tube and I don't want to twist/pull too hard because I'm afraid the bottom tube that connects to the trans pan might break. Is there a trick to separate the top tube from the bottom tube that I don't know about?

Thanks in advance!

Update: got a pair of vice grips and grabbed the top half of the tube close to the base and turned left to right slightly while pushing up and it eventually came out. Whew!

Good job getting the dip stick tube separated. Yes even the tube is a pain to get apart.. Just like trying to check your transmission fluid level.

Whys it hard to check the trans fluid level? At least we have a dipstick. 4th gen guys have a sealed trans and the top off procedure is much more involved. I had a Sequoia with a sealed tranny and it was an ordeal to drain and refill the trans.

Exchanging auto tranny fluid is a snap in all (non CVT transmissions) when you have the exchanging fluid system... I will post of picture of the system I created from various setups I have seen over the years and built my own version.

The pain is the sticking dipstick in the 3rd gen extra long tranny tubes.. You have to wiggle and jiggle and hold your tongue the right way to get that stick fully in. I agree its better to have a dipstick. However, most of the sealed trannys have a high plug.. So all one has to do it use the exchange system like mine and pump the tranny fluild back in when you get close, check with the high fill plug.

I have a 09 Tacoma and as 2007 sienna van can exchange fluid in less then 10 - 15 min and it has a so called sealed transmission. There are simple tricks to it like anything else. :-)

Rather than start a new thread; I'll ask this question here.

On my 01 where the upper tube goes into the trans pan lower tube; is there an O-ring? I'm getting a leak where the two join and I'm wondering how to fix it.

Yes. I just did this today(edit currently doing this) and there should be an o-ring on the top half of the trans dipstick tube that slides into the lower.

Pictures please.

Does this system work on ALL transmissions, or just Toyota transmissions?

Feel free to PM if you want.



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Is a special O-ring needed or just any O-ring of the correct size? I know some oils will deteriorate certain rubber compounds. A link to this O-ring would help too.

Is this it? https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-96721-.../dp/B00KTJ8GY4


Or this? https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...027%7CL4*12947

[QUOTE=BoomerBob;3370700]Is a special O-ring needed or just any O-ring of the correct size? I know some oils will deteriorate certain rubber compounds. A link to this O-ring would help


90301-09011

[QUOTE=spartacus;3370714] Thanks. That definitely helped.



https://www.amayama.com/en/part/toyota/9030109011

I hope this reply goes through with photo. Im not the best at formatting

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That's exactly what I was hoping to see. Thanks much Salgood!

Edit: Here's another picture just for clarity and size context.

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I sent you PM of the bucket system. Works on all ATM. Just need to clean it good and use the proper fluid for each transmission.

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I had the same problem and I was about to try the vise grips, but first I used my pry bar. I got my pry bar - the one thats about 16” long with the slightly curved end- into a position where I had leverage to pull down on the pry bar handle causing the tip to rise and lift the top tube up and out of the bottom tube about a 1/4” until it popped free of the O ring friction.
Theres a “ridge” on the upper tube close to where it joins the lower tube, so put the tip of your pry bar right under that “ridge” and rock the pry bar like a see-saw until she lifts the top tube enough for you to just pull it right up and out.
Worked great after 30 minutes of frustration trying to twist and pull on the tube!! I guess these O-rings get gummy after many years contact with ATF.

Another headache was disconnecting the plug connection to the starter. I didn’t see any tab to push on so basically it was just blind groping and squeezing, but it worked.