We need a walkthrough for an ATX flush/filter change

[JoshAnker]

Any volunteers? A written one would be a huge help, pictures would be even better

This is the BASIC MINIMUM for maintenance for our transmissions, and I was unable to even locate a walkthrough for it!

[BigTyla]

http://www.plymouthlaser.com/skit.htm

Follow the first couple of steps to this.

[JoshAnker]

Originally Posted by BigTyla

http://www.plymouthlaser.com/skit.htm

Follow the first couple of steps to this.

Please let me know if these are the correct steps:

1. Remove drain plug, drain tranny.

2. Remove the 14(apply to us also?) pan bolts and drop the transmission pan.(How heavy is it? will it kill me if I'm under it, or is it light?)

3. Inspect for metal shavings, grit, etc, and then wipe clean.

4. Remove the transmission filter. (Is it also black and held on by 4 bolts for us?) Will a new filter replace the entire unit, or go inside the housing that was hold on by bolts? (i.e., is it a housing or the filter itself?)

I stopped at "Remove the 10mm bolts to drop the valve body down" since I'm assuming that's for the shift kit install, not a tranny flush. Would the next steps be:

5. Replace gasket, replace filter, re-bolt transmission pan?

Tyler, you're (Along with Brett) pretty much the authority amongst ATX 3/S owners. At least you guys are the active atx 3/s owners that come to mind I REALLY appreciate the help, since I need to do my flush, and I'm pretty sad when it comes to doing stuff like this. That said, I AM willing to get my hands dirty and learn, I just need to be 100% sure I'm NOT going to fuck up my car by doing something stupid

There's ATF-3 and ATF-4 in terms of fluid, right? Does it matter which one I use? I have a feeling any brand name ATF-3 will suffice. Also, if I check with the auto parts store and ask someone at the counter, can they get me the correct filter/gasket, or do you have a link/phone # of who i can call for a new set?

I appreciate the help, and I'll be sure and photo everything I do so that we WILL have out own picture walkthrough for future reference

[Caffinated Soap]

The pan is pretty light. You'll definately be able to handle it with one hand. Trust me, I weigh 135lbs. It's my race weight.

I'm pretty sure there's 14 bolts. I didn't count mine last time I did it but I remember there was quite a few. Some of them are a little hard to get to from underneath the car.

There should be three little magnets in the bottom of your tranny pan. These will undoubtedly have some metal shavings on them, so don't be concerned about them. Wipe the entire pan down (magnets and all) untill it's nice and squeaky clean.

The tranny filter on mine was an aluminum color, but I don't think that matters. A new filter is the entire aluminum housing you see in the picture. It's filled with a cloth-type filter and should have a gasket on the top of it. NAPA carried mine and had it in stock. Most places should carry them and at least be able to get you one within the week.

Don't drop the valve body. That's just making things harder on yourself.

Replace the filter. Replace the gasket, wire brush the old one off if necessary. Re-bolt the pan on.

I filled mine up with Castrol ATF+3, available at most auto parts stores. I picked mine up at Autozone. In most Chrysler transmissions ATF+4 has superceeded ATF+3 because it is a higher quality fluid. My tranny doesn't seem to mind the ATF+3 though.

[BigTyla]

All of those steps are correct. The oil pan is pretty light, but I am Big Tyler so don't take my word for it.

Any ATF-3 will do fine. Don't get anything else unless you want to grenade your tranny.

Also be sure to get a filter kit with a GOOD rubber gasket and not some crappy cork gasket. The filter will look just like the black thing in the picture.

[Mitsugirl3kgt]

I just did my in-pan filter and fluid change and decided to go with AMSOIL Synthetic Supershift Racing Automatic Transmission Fluid instead of the normal ATF-3. It's expensive but you can order it from Amsoil directly or from John @ IPT.


.02

Originally Posted by JoshAnker

There's ATF-3 and ATF-4 in terms of fluid, right? Does it matter which one I use? I have a feeling any brand name ATF-3 will suffice. Also, if I check with the auto parts store and ask someone at the counter, can they get me the correct filter/gasket, or do you have a link/phone # of who i can call for a new set?

[4u2nv]

Got to love that Amsoil. I use Amsoil 10w 30 for my oil.

[Mitsugirl3kgt]

Royal Purple 5w30 for winter and Castrol Syntec 20w50 for summer.

Originally Posted by 4u2nv

Got to love that Amsoil. I use Amsoil 10w 30 for my oil.

[Caffinated Soap]

Originally Posted by xSabrielx

I just did my in-pan filter and fluid change and decided to go with AMSOIL Synthetic Supershift Racing Automatic Transmission Fluid instead of the normal ATF-3. It's expensive but you can order it from Amsoil directly or from John @ IPT.


.02

Have you noticed any difference in the tranny? Shift quality? I'd like to know if there's any noticable difference in the AMSOIL and my Castrol ATF+3.

[Mitsugirl3kgt]

I don't know yet I haven't driven it. The car is still at a shop 300 miles from where I live. I went up to get it last weekend but we ran into some issues and it wasn't ready to drive back. I got a call yesterday saying that everything is good to go, just need to find time to go get it. I'll let you know if there is any difference.

Originally Posted by Caffinated Soap

Have you noticed any difference in the tranny? Shift quality? I'd like to know if there's any noticable difference in the AMSOIL and my Castrol ATF+3.