First we elevated the car to gain access to the underside. As the bones aren't has padded as they used to be, we use a rubber mat to lie on.
Using a suitable wrench, the drain plug is removed and, (What is my good pot doing in the machine shed and why is it being used as a oil drain pan??? CALEB! ABNER! I've been looking for that pot for the past two months! I'll fix those two!), a receptacle is ready.
Note how the draining ATF is no longer red in color as the contaminents pour into the drain pot.
Here is the magnetic drain plug, note how much swarf as collected on the tip after 3500 miles service.
The drain hole is hosed out with aerosol brake cleaner and this pencil type extension magnet is swabbed around in the gearbox sump to clean out as much swarf as possible.
Reinstall the drain plug and torque to the proper setting. Move to the other side of the gearbox and remove the filler plug. It is the same size as the drain plug but does not have the magnetic tip. To fill the gearbox with 1.6 quarts of fluid, we use this gearbox oil pump that screws on the mouth of the oil container. To clarify, the brand name is StaLube and the pump must be used on a StaLube oil container. We refill the container from any standard plastic bottle of ATF as this enables the use of the pump without removal of the exhaust pipe or using a 4 ounce oil squirt gun. Truly, life is easy when using the proper tools.
In conclusion, our original estimation has proved correct. The gearbox oil should be replaced each time the engine oil is changed for a long service life. The lack of a filtration system for the gearbox fluid results in contamination and discoloration of the red ATF in 3500 miles of service. The swarf on the drain plug tip shows the extant of damaging particles circulating thru the gearbox internals. As we cannot filter the gearbox fluid, we must change it on a regular basis, and indeed, flush out the sump residue to prolong the service life of the pump, bearings, gear teeth, bushes, and seals.
Of course, the factory publications omitted this information. But then, you and I are now the designated warranty/service departments for our cars. We suggest a revision in the service interval for these gearboxes be adhered to by all.
Now, where can I find a hickory switch for those two scampish nephews of mine?
Mildred Hargis
