2003 Chevy Tahoe- Transmission Fluid Change

[Dantheman-2003]

On my 03 Tahoe, thinking of changing the trans fluid and filter. I purchased this truck couple months back, so still in the process of going through everything. Although the transmission fluid looks clean, nice and red, I’m thinking what the hell. Might as well change it out and throw a new filter in it.
Question: My pan has a drain plug which is nice. Makes pulling the pan a little cleaner. I’ve read on a few blogs that you don’t need to change the gasket. Anyone have any thoughts on trans pan gasket replacement?

 

[Blackcar]

If it was mine, I would put new gasket on it, there is a kit that comes with filter and gasket with it I don't have Part number for that dealer may be able to help with that.

 

[tomloans]

I have the same vehicle. If you want to simply change the oil only. Drain and fill. If you want to change out the filter you will need to take the pan off and replace the gasket. On a side note: the filter is either a short neck or the long neck. Likely the long neck but someone here can pipe in to let you know how you would know what Transmission you have. Mine is the long neck. This is super important. If you install a short neck filter, then when going on an incline you will starve your transmission of oil.
So to continue, the issue you will run into is that the exhaust is in the way of the pan. Don't try to somehow squeeze it off. It wont work and you may end up knocking loose a solenoid or damaging one if you keep trying. It doesn't work! So there are 6 bolts on the exhaust manifolds, 3 on each side. All you have to due is loosen them and the exhaust will lower down. I just unbolt them to be sure. But I heard you can simply loosen enough to drop it down far enough to comfortably remove the pan. Play it by ear and drop it completely to be sure. Not that hard really. Impact driver is a must. If rusted on, it may be a problem. I am in California and I don't have that problem. Maybe somebody here can pipe in. Looks like you are in Placerville and maybe yours is clean as well. Best wishes!

 

[NoReverseYukon]

If you decide to just do a fluid change, be very careful with that drain plug - they strip very easily.

 

[pauly1119]

I would do a fluid change, filter and new solenoids and of course a gasket. You can find kits that come with everything. It’s a piece of cake.

 

[Sam Harris]

If you decide to just do a fluid change, be very careful with that drain plug - they strip very easily.

Yep, those drain bolts are there apparently for show only.. all the ones I’ve seen / heard about on these gens were basically welded in. Mine was the same situation. We were able to get it out, after massive effort, and then it needed to be tapped again, and a new plug installed.

Also, I highly recommend using a Lubelocker gasket. They are the best, reusable, 100% worth a few bucks. If your pan has a small “step” in it, that’s how you know if it’s the deep version. The non-deep version is completely flat.

sorry, it’s hard to see from the picture, but best one I could find. I thought I had a better one.. but you can see the step in the pan there on the left.

 

[rockola1971]

Always change the gasket after puling the tranny pan. As far as changing solenoids as someone mentioned, why? They dont fail very often and if tranny has had a rebuild then they likely have already been replaced. I dont replace a shift solenoid unless it failed and the tranny is good or the tranny is apart for a rebuild.

 

[OR VietVet]

Agree with all above and yes, if the pan has the step in it, it is the deep pan. Draining and filling the fluid is like doing an engine oil change and reusing the oil filter. Why?

 

[pauly1119]

Always change the gasket after puling the tranny pan. As far as changing solenoids as someone mentioned, why? They dont fail very often and if tranny has had a rebuild then they likely have already been replaced. I dont replace a shift solenoid unless it failed and the tranny is good or the tranny is apart for a rebuild.

While the pan is off it’s just a few clips and I have had them fail on two different Camaro’s. No different then changing belts and hoses before they fail to me especially if your in there. I wouldn’t take the pan off just to do a solenoid but why not if your doing a service.

 

[rockola1971]

While the pan is off it’s just a few clips and I have had them fail on two different Camaro’s. No different then changing belts and hoses before they fail to me especially if your in there. I wouldn’t take the pan off just to do a solenoid but why not if your doing a service.

You must just have bad luck or you overheated the camaro's tranny therefore overheated the shift solenoids. In all the 4L60E's that I've owned and still own, I have never had a shift solenoid fail. Do you replace your ignition coils because they have 150k miles on them? A shift solenoid will last alot longer than a belt or hose will.

 

[pauly1119]

Coils no, only if they go bad. Hoses and belts yes actually just did them. My round trip with my Yukon to work is 180 miles twice a week all highway and the last thing I want is to get stuck on the highway. I want to make this 22 year old truck last 4 more years and I’m retiring. It only has 107k miles. I’m also a little OCD with general maintenance according to all my friends. I actually enjoy working on it to a degree though.

You must just have bad luck or you overheated the camaro's tranny therefore overheated the shift solenoids. In all the 4L60E's that I've owned and still own, I have never had a shift solenoid fail. Do you replace your ignition coils because they have 150k miles on them? A shift solenoid will last alot longer than a belt or hose will.

 

[ScottyBoy]

Here's a pretty detailed write up I did on another forum back in the day about changing and flushing the transmission fluid and replacing the pan gasket and filter. This was even before I joined TahoeYukonForum.

How to: Flush your transmission on a GMT800 GM truck

Today, I flushed my transmission to replace ALL of the fluid, not just the 5 quarts that is in the pan. Here is the basic rundown: You'll need 12 quarts of Transmission fluid One Transmisson cooler line fitting with a hose barb. I found one at O'Reilly's for 5 bucks. You'll also need some...

www.truckmodcentral.com

 

[nonickatall]

Here's a pretty detailed write up I did on another forum back in the day about changing and flushing the transmission fluid and replacing the pan gasket and filter. This was even before I joined TahoeYukonForum.

How to: Flush your transmission on a GMT800 GM truck

Today, I flushed my transmission to replace ALL of the fluid, not just the 5 quarts that is in the pan. Here is the basic rundown: You'll need 12 quarts of Transmission fluid One Transmisson cooler line fitting with a hose barb. I found one at O'Reilly's for 5 bucks. You'll also need some...

www.truckmodcentral.com

Very good write up....

I would add two things. It is not necessary to exchange the oil filter every time you do it. Different to an engine oil filter, the filter only catch bigger debris. And metal wear sticks on the magnet. Its good to exchange the filter, but a lot of people are affraid of that and don't do the oil change. Better 10 Oilchange without filter change, than no Oilchange.

Without filter change you change the oil in 30 minutes, without need to lift the car.

The adapter is fine but not neccesarry. You need two people to change the oil anyway, one to start the engine and one to fill the oil. This person can also keep the hose on the oil cooler, there is not much pressure.

And pleas use only Dexron VI

And don't forget to change transfer case Oil, differential rear and front and steering fluid. The Dexron VI you can also use for that, except for the differentials.

 

[Fless]

And pleas use only Dexron VI

And don't forget to change transfer case Oil, differential rear and front and steering fluid. The Dexron VI you can also use for that, except for the differentials.

If you have the AUTO 2-speed transfer case it takes Auto Trak II fluid, not Dexron VI.

 

[nonickatall]

If you have the AUTO 2-speed transfer case it takes Auto Trak II fluid, not Dexron VI.

true, I assumed my Escalade...

 

[Dantheman-2003]

Agree with all above and yes, if the pan has the step in it, it is the deep pan. Draining and filling the fluid is like doing an engine oil change and reusing the oil filter. Why?

When you say has a step in it, what do you mean?

 

[Blackcar]

When you say has a step in it, what do you mean?

If the pan looks like picture in post #6 it deeper on one end.

 

[OR VietVet]

A step would have two levels on the bottom instead of the all one smooth surface on the bottom of the pan, which is the shallow pan.

 

[tomloans]

When you say has a step in it, what do you mean?

Step pan...

Dorman 265-811 Dorman Transmission Pans | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Dorman Transmission Pans with qualifying orders of $99. Shop Automatic Transmission Pans at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

No Step pan ( flat bottom - not two levels)...

Summit Racing SUM-G3886B Summit Racing™ Transmission Pans | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Summit Racing™ Transmission Pans with qualifying orders of $99. Shop Automatic Transmission Pans at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

These are jut an example. The step pan has a little step in it and needs a deep filter to reach the lower level.

 

[Dantheman-2003]

THANKS TO ALL !!!