I'm not sure if this belongs under DIY or TV, but here it is.So, we have our first trip of 2016 coming up next week and though now would be as good of a time as any to replace the trans filter in the Suburban. We'll be towing about 1300 miles, so I'm running down my list of maintenance items and the trans filter is right near the top.To get started, you need to drain the fluid from the transmission. I got lucky again and my pan has a drain plug, but if yours doesn't you'll need to strategically loosen bolts to allow it to drain from the front. Once the pan is off the filter pulls straight out and the new one pushes right back in.Below is a list of parts and tools I used for this job: - Transmission filter kit (includes filter, gasket and o-ring) - ATF - our Suburban uses Dexron III - Funnel - 3/8" ratchet with various extensions - 10mm socket - RagsUp next for the Suburban before our next journey is an oil change and brakes. This will get everything moving and stopping nicely.Checkout our DIY video if interested:https://youtu.be/E1qJrxkDCsAAnd our related blog post:http://www.rvcircus.com/preparing-trip-new-transmission-filter

Sounds like you have a plan. Can you tell us how many miles you had on the trans filter and how it looked. Mine have always looked okay after 70,000 to 80,000 miles.

It actually belongs in Tech Issues forum. Moving it there.Barney

I've done this a few times. It can be an awful mess. I recommend a big piece of cardboard under the pan to absorb the drips, which are everywhere.However, I've never really found any debris in the filter, certainly nowhere near enough to worry about flow rate. I think the new fluid is the important part of this job. The next time I do this, I'm planning on just having the system back-flushed with fresh fluid, which will replace more fluid than a drain-and-fill, and it will clean the filter somewhat.

TNRIVERSIDE wrote:Can you tell us how many miles you had on the trans filter and how it looked. Mine have always looked okay after 70,000 to 80,000 miles.The filter looked OK and the fluid wasn't too bad. We bought the truck used and based on the condition I'm assuming it was replaced at some point given we're at 90k+.Blacklane wrote:I've done this a few times. It can be an awful mess. I recommend a big piece of cardboard under the pan to absorb the drips, which are everywhere.I used a mortar pan to catch fluid and still ended up with some spots in the driveway. It is a messy job for sure.

I used an old trash can lid upside down over my oil drain pan. Drill or punch a hole in the center of the lid. No drips on my garage floor when I changed the trans fluid and filters on my truck.

Replacing our trans filter in preparation for a long trip

18 Replies

RVcircus
Explorer II
Mar 09, 2016
gbopp wrote:
Cleaning/replacing the filter and fluid is the important thing.
Whatever method you use will make your transmission happy. :)

I'm all about having a happy transmission:B The Suburban's pushing 17 years old and I'd like to get many more miles out of it.
TNRIVERSIDE
Explorer
Mar 09, 2016
RVcircus wrote:
TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
Can you tell us how many miles you had on the trans filter and how it looked. Mine have always looked okay after 70,000 to 80,000 miles.

The filter looked OK and the fluid wasn't too bad. We bought the truck used and based on the condition I'm assuming it was replaced at some point given we're at 90k+.

Blacklane wrote:
I've done this a few times. It can be an awful mess. I recommend a big piece of cardboard under the pan to absorb the drips, which are everywhere.

I used a mortar pan to catch fluid and still ended up with some spots in the driveway. It is a messy job for sure.

Thanks for the follow up. My filters always look okay too but by the time you can see it you might as well change it. I too feel the flust is more important then the filter.
gbopp
Explorer
Mar 09, 2016
Cleaning/replacing the filter and fluid is the important thing.
Whatever method you use will make your transmission happy. :)
is_it_friday_ye
Explorer
Mar 09, 2016
I used an old trash can lid upside down over my oil drain pan. Drill or punch a hole in the center of the lid. No drips on my garage floor when I changed the trans fluid and filters on my truck.
RVcircus
Explorer II
Mar 09, 2016
TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
Can you tell us how many miles you had on the trans filter and how it looked. Mine have always looked okay after 70,000 to 80,000 miles.

The filter looked OK and the fluid wasn't too bad. We bought the truck used and based on the condition I'm assuming it was replaced at some point given we're at 90k+.

Blacklane wrote:
I've done this a few times. It can be an awful mess. I recommend a big piece of cardboard under the pan to absorb the drips, which are everywhere.

I used a mortar pan to catch fluid and still ended up with some spots in the driveway. It is a messy job for sure.
Blacklane
Explorer
Mar 09, 2016
I've done this a few times. It can be an awful mess. I recommend a big piece of cardboard under the pan to absorb the drips, which are everywhere.

However, I've never really found any debris in the filter, certainly nowhere near enough to worry about flow rate.

I think the new fluid is the important part of this job. The next time I do this, I'm planning on just having the system back-flushed with fresh fluid, which will replace more fluid than a drain-and-fill, and it will clean the filter somewhat.
BarneyS
Nomad
Mar 09, 2016
It actually belongs in Tech Issues forum. Moving it there.
Barney
TNRIVERSIDE
Explorer
Mar 09, 2016
Sounds like you have a plan. Can you tell us how many miles you had on the trans filter and how it looked. Mine have always looked okay after 70,000 to 80,000 miles.

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Replacing our trans filter in preparation for a long trip

18 Replies

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