Stripped Transmission Pan Bolt: Replace Pan or Tap?

[DesertRoads]

So I decided to change my auto transmission fluid today--drain and fill only. No filter, drop the pan, etc. Upon putting the bolt back in, it never tightens. It turns, and will come back out again, but won't tighten. I'm guessing the last person to do the transmission flush overtightened the bolt. So, is this something I can just get a tap kit for and re-do threads? Or will I need a new pan? Thanks!

 

[spartacus]

So I decided to change my auto transmission fluid today--drain and fill only. No filter, drop the pan, etc. Upon putting the bolt back in, it never tightens. It turns, and will come back out again, but won't tighten. I'm guessing the last person to do the transmission flush overtightened the bolt. So, is this something I can just get a tap kit for and re-do threads? Or will I need a new pan? Thanks!

I threaded my oil pan and helicoiled it with bigger plug 10 years ago and have had no
issues. Don't see why not the atf pan.

 

[Bad Luck]

What do the drain plug threads look like?

 

[plcfcng]

If you know some one that knows how to weld or braze they could take a nut and a fix it to the pan.:rockon:

 

[tvpierce]

So, is this something I can just get a tap kit for and re-do threads?

That's what I would do.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

The 97 puppy hauler had the plug threads messed up. It looks like the bolt is softer than the pan. The pan threads were good so I just ordered a new drain plug and gasket from the local dealer.


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[Reidabook]

I over tightened the drain plug and it stripped the plug instead of the pan. So you might only need a new plug.

 

[roger65]

If there is room I like Time Serts over helicoils. Solid metal insert vs coil of wire.

 

[Johnnie]

your post isnt very clear about whether its a pan bolt or the drain plug. If its a pan bolt then it needs a helicoil, easy to find at a napa or even a home depot, if you've never done one before then check it out on you tube. if its a drain plug then you probably need a new pan

 

[DesertRoads]

Thank you all for your response. The plug seems to be fine, but the threads in the pan seem to be off. Maybe I'll try a plug first, then the inserts. A new pan is $167 from the dealer-- plus I'd need a $25 gasket for the pan. A new plug is cheaper than the pan, so I'll start there.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Thank you all for your response. The plug seems to be fine, but the threads in the pan seem to be off. Maybe I'll try a plug first, then the inserts. A new plan is $167 from the dealer-- plus I'd need a $25 gasket for the pan. A new plug is cheaper than the pan, so I'll start there.

Clean the threads in the pan with a tap or thread chaser.


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[DesertRoads]

I finally sourced a new plug from the dealer. Unfortunately that didn't fix the problem. So Looks like I might have to tap the hole and go with a bigger plug. A new pan is $166 from the dealer, and there doesn't seem to be much in the way of aftermarket engine/transmission support for these pans. Frustratingly.

 

[artcell1620]

Hi, did you end up doing the tap kit? My transmission pan (2000 SR5 4x4) is also stripped, along with the drain plug. A transmission shop told me that these pans have a welded bolt on the inside of the pan and if the plug is stripped, the bolt is probably stripped as well, and he can't tap the bolt. He is recommending replacing the pan entirely. Any thoughts?

 

[thegipper]

Hi, did you end up doing the tap kit? My transmission pan (2000 SR5 4x4) is also stripped, along with the drain plug. A transmission shop told me that these pans have a welded bolt on the inside of the pan and if the plug is stripped, the bolt is probably stripped as well, and he can't tap the bolt. He is recommending replacing the pan entirely. Any thoughts?

Find a new tranny shop. There is no "welded bolt" on the inside of the pan. Perhaps they are thinking of the newer toyota transmission pans that have a goofy way of draining them but yours is not like that.

You can either buy a new pan/plug or try the methods described above (heli coil or weld a nut over the damaged hole).

 

[19963.4lsr5]

For me the pan was fine and just the bolt stripped. When I bought the 97 limited puppy hauler the drain plug in the pan didn’t feel right threading the trans the first time I drained it. The second time it stripped. But I had already bought a new drain plug.


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[96RedRunner]

This a case by case thing, over the years a new plug has fixed it more times than not, but.
You gotta clean stripped threads out da hole, freshen up a used 20 yr old Ho's threads, lol.