Transmission Fluid Service With Pan Drop and Filter Change [WRITEUP]

[jlaw904]

The Blackstone Analysis came back today:



"Based on the amount of metal in this sample, you're probably right about this being the original
oil. The universal averages show typical wear levels for this type of transmission after just 38,000 miles.
You've probably got some factory wear-in here, along with 189,000 miles of wear accumulation, so no
wonder metals are high. Honestly, iron (from steel) looks quite good for the circumstances. The impressive
finding is that the oil itself is still in good shape. Old ATF will read high in insolubles and low in viscosity --
both are fine, so this oil handled its long run like a champ."

I feel pretty good about the results considering how black it was.

 

[AuSeeker]

The Blackstone Analysis came back today:



"Based on the amount of metal in this sample, you're probably right about this being the original
oil. The universal averages show typical wear levels for this type of transmission after just 38,000 miles.
You've probably got some factory wear-in here, along with 189,000 miles of wear accumulation, so no
wonder metals are high. Honestly, iron (from steel) looks quite good for the circumstances. The impressive
finding is that the oil itself is still in good shape. Old ATF will read high in insolubles and low in viscosity --
both are fine, so this oil handled its long run like a champ."

I feel pretty good about the results considering how black it was.

Well I admit I'm actually quite surprised at how well that fluid held up...I guess there's something to Toyota's claim of it being a "lifetime fluid"!!!

Thanks for posting those test results!

 

[jlaw904]

Well I admit I'm actually quite surprised at how well that fluid held up...I guess there's something to Toyota's claim of it being a "lifetime fluid"!!!

Thanks for posting those test results!

Np... I enjoy spending a little extra time/money learning as much as I can. A little extra peace of mind for 30 bucks. I used them for my first two oil changes as well.

I feel fairly confident in going through and doing a full ATF exchange with the coolant lines now that I have a fresh ATF filter too.

 

[earthrealm]

Nice writeup! Went through a pan drop on my 2006 this weekend. Ended up breaking off 3 bolts. Good times drilling those out.

Those bolts are so brittle...arrrgghhh.
So, what size of drill bit did you use in drilling out the broken bolts?.

Am in the process of dropping my pan and broken 3 bolts already...any tips on what to do not to break any more?

 

[SurferUK]

Those bolts are so brittle...arrrgghhh.
So, what size of drill bit did you use in drilling out the broken bolts?.

Am in the process of dropping my pan and broken 3 bolts already...any tips on what to do not to break any more?

Did you use an impact driver?

 

[earthrealm]

Did you use an impact driver?

so, i have realized my mistake. rookie error.,for some innane reason i wanted to crack the bolts first before draining the tranny fluid. after the last bolt bbroke,it just struck me that the weight of the fluid could be the cause of the bolt breakage i drained the fluid and all the bolts came out freely

 

[AuSeeker]

so, i have realized my mistake. rookie error.,for some innane reason i wanted to crack the bolts first before draining the tranny fluid. after the last bolt bbroke,it just struck me that the weight of the fluid could be the cause of the bolt breakage i drained the fluid and all the bolts came out freely

You made no mistake by not draining the fluid first other than the mess it would've caused trying to catch the fluid coming out by not draining via the drain plug, the bolts were either seized or over tightened to the point of about to break, or you turned them the wrong direction trying to remove them.

There's no way only 3 or so quarts of the fluid in the pan could weight enough to put undue strain on the bolts to cause them to break.

 

[DrRobot]

Thanks. Is this for a 2WD? It's probably the same but just wanted to confirm.

 

[AuSeeker]

Thanks. Is this for a 2WD? It's probably the same but just wanted to confirm.

As long as you have the "5 Speed sealed transmission" and not the 4 speed or non sealed 5 speed(2003 year model) it's the same for either 4WD or 2WD, the 4 speeds and the non sealed 5 speeds have a dip stick and use a different ATF, so they are easier to check the fluid level because of the dip stick and you can add the fluid down the dip stick tube.

 

[DrRobot]

As long as you have the "5 Speed sealed transmission" and not the 4 speed or non sealed 5 speed(2003 year model) it's the same for either 4WD or 2WD, the 4 speeds and the non sealed 5 speeds have a dip stick and use a different ATF, so they are easier to check the fluid level because of the dip stick and you can add the fluid down the dip stick tube.

Gotcha, thanks

 

[RBLACAUSA]

WOW, Great write up and I've spent an hour looking for something like this. Didn't find it until I googled "Toyota 5-speed transmission pan bolt torque settings" lol.

A great write-up like this brings so much confidence to tackle the job when it has all the part numbers, torque specs, and thorough step-by-step w/photos. I just hope it prints well, lol. Many thanks, OP!!

 

[jlaw904]

Hi all, I've been MIA for a few years... but it has been almost 50k miles and I got another sample and thought I'd share (attached). I had a cracked radiator I had to replace and did another sample for peace of mind. I never did the full flush. Seemingly no issues to report?