There are just some days I wish I didn't turn wrenches

[TollKeeper]

Cant help you on this one... Ford is not my arena!

 

[OR VietVet]

Cant help you on this one... Ford is not my arena!

I would bet that the fluctuating oil pressure would effect any VVT solenoids. Does GM use these solenoids in any years/models?

 

[DoubleDingo]

Finished the 2018 Suburban today. Sorry, no pics. cramped quarters under there and just wanted to get done. Was working in 40-42 degree weather. Removed the 2 nuts that bolted the transmission mount to the crossmember and lifted at the transfer case and then had enough room to unbolt and remove the transmission pan. The deep end of the pan was completely open and the exhaust was close to the shallow end. I had my normal round drain pan but had recently bought a much larger round catch pan that had holes in the center and it set on the drain pan and I did not spill a drop. When the deep end of pan was down, I started pushing up and ten releasing it and when it dropped, the fluid in the deep end sloshed out to the catch pan. Then it was almost empty and very light and easy to snake the shallow end out between the exposed transmission components and the exhaust. Pulled it all out and wiped it all down and installed new filter and the gasket surface at the housing was dry and I attached the holder tabs and set the pan up and started all the pan bolts. Tightened back and forth. lowered the transmission and reattached at the crossmember. It took exactly 6 quarts of Dex VI to bring to full when hot. Took off of the ramps and then rotated the tires and road test went smooth. Planning on a 30 mile road test over the next 3 days. Landlord back on the 29th.

At the end of all this, with my discount on parts and the labor fee I charge him, the total will be in the neighborhood of $2500.

This answered a question I've been meaning to ask. Can one remove the cross member and raise the transfer case/transmission to clear the exhaust to change the pan gasket and filter. I see you left the cross member attached, just lifted everything after unbolting the mount.

 

[OR VietVet]

This answered a question I've been meaning to ask. Can one remove the cross member and raise the transfer case/transmission to clear the exhaust to change the pan gasket and filter. I see you left the cross member attached, just lifted everything after unbolting the mount.

I unbolted the mount, 2 nuts, from the crossmember and lifted with a floor jack and that left enough room to remove the pan and gasket as one. I then removed the filter. Plenty of room. I made sure the threaded studs on the mount lined up with the elongated crossmember holes and dropped down when done. Be aware, you do not just jack up the end of transfer case, metal on metal. I used a small block of wood. I also lifted till I could see there was no more overhead room. Listen carefully and lift slowly. I unbolted the very rear two pan bolts last and as the front of pan dropped, with fluid in it, when the pan tilted down as far as the exhaust would allow, I used my big drain pan and would lift and then drop the front of pan to slosh out the fluid. When it would not flop any more fluid out, it was very light and easy to maneuver. I turned the front of pan to the p/s and pulled pan out at a bit more than a 45 degree angle.

 

[TollKeeper]

I would bet that the fluctuating oil pressure would effect any VVT solenoids. Does GM use these solenoids in any years/models?

Yeap, every 3.6HF engine, and every EcoTech engine for sure. I would imagine every engine with a VVT has it, like the later 5.3/6.0/6.2 engines.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I unbolted the mount, 2 nuts, from the crossmember and lifted with a floor jack and that left enough room to remove the pan and gasket as one. I then removed the filter. Plenty of room. I made sure the threaded studs on the mount lined up with the elongated crossmember holes and dropped down when done. Be aware, you do not just jack up the end of transfer case, metal on metal. I used a small block of wood. I also lifted till I could see there was no more overhead room. Listen carefully and lift slowly. I unbolted the very rear two pan bolts last and as the front of pan dropped, with fluid in it, when the pan tilted down as far as the exhaust would allow, I used my big drain pan and would lift and then drop the front of pan to slosh out the fluid. When it would not flop any more fluid out, it was very light and easy to maneuver. I turned the front of pan to the p/s and pulled pan out at a bit more than a 45 degree angle.

Thanks. I bought a new trans mount, so when I replace the filter and gasket it'll get a new mount, too. I'd planned on pumping out the fluid before dropping the pan, since I don't have the type of pan setup you do. Definitely would use a block of wood between the jack and transfer case, was taught that as a young-un.