HELP! Cannot remove upper half of transmission dipstick tube

[seanshreds]

Hi all, I am in the process of changing the starter in my 4wd v6 3rd gen and it has more than lived up to the bad hype. I have spent multiple days trying to get the upper half of the transmission dipstick tube out but it will not budge. I have even put a pair of vice grips on trying to pull and twist and made no progress. It supposed to just be held in by an o-ring but it honestly feels like someone stuck some jb weld on it the last time it was pulled out.

Has anyone experienced this before and if so, what did you do to get the darn thing out? I am tired of not being able to drive so I am getting to the point where I might just cut the top half off the tube and forget about it until my next transmission fluid flush.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[sleepydad]

Hi all, I am in the process of changing the starter in my 4wd v6 3rd gen and it has more than lived up to the bad hype. I have spent multiple days trying to get the upper half of the transmission dipstick tube out but it will not budge. I have even put a pair of vice grips on trying to pull and twist and made no progress. It supposed to just be held in by an o-ring but it honestly feels like someone stuck some jb weld on it the last time it was pulled out.

Has anyone experienced this before and if so, what did you do to get the darn thing out? I am tired of not being able to drive so I am getting to the point where I might just cut the top half off the tube and forget about it until my next transmission fluid flush.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

yes this is common if nobody has ever removed it. spinning it has always worked for me. if it's rusted into place then it might now be a non removable part.

I would say try a torch and heat it up but I'm pretty sure ATF will burn. I can't imagine it would start a fire inside the trans but... not sure it's worth that kind of risk.

 

[fourfive]

If it comes down to having to cut off the upper half of the dipstick tube you might as well drop the pan and replace it, pn 3510635110. I had to replace mine shortly after i got my 3rd gen bc the drain plug was stripped. I'm assuming you removed the 12mm bolt that holds the upper tube in place.

 

[BoomerBob]

If it comes down to having to cut off the upper half of the dipstick tube you might as well drop the pan and replace it, pn 3510635110. I had to replace mine shortly after i got my 3rd gen bc the drain plug was stripped. I'm assuming you removed the 12mm bolt that holds the upper tube in place.

It should come right out once that one bolt is removed. There's literally nothing else holding it in place.

 

[3bears]

If it comes down to having to cut off the upper half of the dipstick tube you might as well drop the pan and replace it, pn 3510635110. I had to replace mine shortly after i got my 3rd gen bc the drain plug was stripped. I'm assuming you removed the 12mm bolt that holds the upper tube in place.

agree,
mine had no issue coming apart after bolt removal

 

[phattyduck]

If it comes down to having to cut off the upper half of the dipstick tube you might as well drop the pan and replace it, pn 3510635110.

There are at least two dipstick tube part numbers, depending on emissions package (and 2WD vs. 4WD, but that's not an issue here). Make sure you get the right one if you need a new one.

-Charlie

 

[fourfive]

There are at least two dipstick tube part numbers, depending on emissions package (and 2WD vs. 4WD, but that's not an issue here). Make sure you get the right one if you need a new one.

The part number I referenced was for the transmission pan but still should have clarified since there are multiple part numbers for transmission pans. I've seen at least 3: 35106-35110 (for my 02 4wd), 35106-34010, 35106-34020

seanshreds, if you cut the dipstick tube & go the route of getting a new pan, you will have to buy a new dipstick tube & transmission pan.

 

[seanshreds]

Thanks for all the responses! To everyone who mentioned the upper bolt on the dipstick tube, I can assure you that I have removed all of the necessary bolts (including the upper one holding it to the engine). I know it should be easy to remove but it is just stuck.

I am going to give the vice grips another shot but if that does not work, I might cut it and replace the pan later.

 

[brillo_76]

Thanks for all the responses! To everyone who mentioned the upper bolt on the dipstick tube, I can assure you that I have removed all of the necessary bolts (including the upper one holding it to the engine). I know it should be easy to remove but it is just stuck.



I am going to give the vice grips another shot but if that does not work, I might cut it and replace the pan later.

Soak that joint with heavy duty penetrating oil. I am trying to recall if a little o ring is in that joint as well.. That really should come apart for you.

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[Brian.]

Soak that joint with heavy duty penetrating oil. I am trying to recall if a little o ring is in that joint as well.. That really should come apart for you.

There is an o-ring on the upper half. Mine was caked up with crud and a bit stiff to pull apart. Have someone that sprayed something that eats rubber and I can see that o-ring chemically melting into place.

I'd hit that joint with MAP gas and give it a good twist, might be enough to seperate and need only a replacement o-ring. Worst case, I'd cut it off as close to the joint as possible, but leaving something to get ahold of. Drop the pan and work on it off the vehicle, you'll absolutely get it out that way and not need a replacement pan, just the upper section.

 

[brillo_76]

There is an o-ring on the upper half. Mine was caked up with crud and a bit stiff to pull apart. Have someone that sprayed something that eats rubber and I can see that o-ring chemically melting into place.



I'd hit that joint with MAP gas and give it a good twist, might be enough to seperate and need only a replacement o-ring. Worst case, I'd cut it off as close to the joint as possible, but leaving something to get ahold of. Drop the pan and work on it off the vehicle, you'll absolutely get it out that way and not need a replacement pan, just the upper section.

I couldn't recall thanks [MENTION=315156]Brian.[/MENTION] Hard to say what PO did. At this point though. It either has to come apart or get cut off. So I try a few things to see if you can get it loose. Even a heat gun might expand the metal some then hit it with freeze off to try to get that joint apart

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[BoomerBob]

This is my 2wd dipstick where the O-ring is after pulling it out.

This thread reminded me of another the OP might want to check out.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-...ight=transmission+dipstick+O+ring#post3371834

 

[seanshreds]

Thanks for all the responses! I decided not to cut for fear of getting little metal shavings in the tranny. Instead, I decided to take the starter apart from inside the engine bay and pull it out in pieces. I did the same thing to put the new one in. Next time I flush the tranny I will probably drop the pan and see if I can separate the tube joints with some heat. Thanks again for all your help!

 

[seanshreds]

This is my 2wd dipstick where the O-ring is after pulling it out.

This thread reminded me of another the OP might want to check out.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-...ight=transmission+dipstick+O+ring#post3371834

BoomerBob, I had already read that post before posting mine. That is where I got the vice grip idea. Thanks though!

 

[brillo_76]

Thanks for all the responses! I decided not to cut for fear of getting little metal shavings in the tranny. Instead, I decided to take the starter apart from inside the engine bay and pull it out in pieces. I did the same thing to put the new one in. Next time I flush the tranny I will probably drop the pan and see if I can separate the tube joints with some heat. Thanks again for all your help!

Glad you got your starter fixed but major bummer on that tube. You may need to use a lift to get enough clearance to pull the tube in one peace. Not 100% on sure on that one as I never seen one rust solid.

Understand not wanting to cut it though.

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[Starship Commander]

yes this is common if nobody has ever removed it. spinning it has always worked for me. if it's rusted into place then it might now be a non removable part.

I would say try a torch and heat it up but I'm pretty sure ATF will burn. I can't imagine it would start a fire inside the trans but... not sure it's worth that kind of risk.

I'm new here and wasn't sure how to get started. This post came up on my search. 2000 4Runner I just bought with 3.4 automatic... My first pull on the tranny dip stick to check level and it would not go back in no matter what. My first guess was the previous owner bent it in some strange way and that's why it would not go in. So I bought a genuine original new one and its the same deal, it stops about maybe five inches shy. Re-orienting it does not help. it feels obstructed. Thanks if you have a guess

 

[maxthebird]

The tranny dipstick replacement issue has been frequently discussed on this forum. You will need to insert the dipstick and twist it until it is in as far as it will go without bending it, then hold the dipstick about 2 inches from where it enters the tube and push it in firmly until it moves, repeating until its in all the way. Holding it lower prevents it from bending. You will feel resistance. If it doesn't go, try pulling it out an inserting it again. Eventually you'll get it. Works for me.

 

[brillo_76]

These are one of the worst dipsticks I have ever had to work with. You have to wiggle jiggle hold your tongue the correct way to get them to go back in. All of the 4x4 ones have that last so many inches that you have to fight. I always pay attention exactly how it pulls out so i can get it back in.