So, my 2008 LT automatic transmission has started leaving drops of transmission fluid on the driveway. I have ordered a new gasket and pan w/drain.

Questions are: Has anybody removed the pan while laying under the car? Any advice? I do not have access to a lift, just jack stands. Is there a certain order to removing bolts that works better. Should I just go to the local shop and pay them to do it?

 

Myself, i'd pay a shop to do it.

Without a lift and a wide trans drain pan, it can be messy. I remember putting a shift kit in an auto trans years ago without a drain hole in the pan.

You just unbolt the pan but it's usually stuck in place to the gasket on both sides, so as you try slowly prying the pan off the oil starts draining on all sides.

Your hands and arms get covered in oil, then the pan just drops and bam oil all over you and the driveway.

Can't be that expensive just to have the shop do it for you.

I like saving money doing things like Alts. Waterpumps, Thermostats, Oil Changes, Brakes, ect.
And letting a pro do the more complex or Messy stuff.


I did it all when I was younger, as I got older said to hell with it let a mechanic do it, I got other stuff to do. lol

 

My problem is; the older I get, the less money I got!

 

In the old days when I was installing shift kits, and I did a lot of them, I never pulled all the bolts and let the pan fall. You would pull most of the bolts and loosen the rest and let the pan tilt toward the catch pan and drain. Still a messy job but nothing like A&P describes. Of course these were all back in the Turbo-Hydro days so how well this method adapts to the HHR you will have to figure out for yourself.

 

I am kind of thinking that since I got a new pan and gasket, that maybe destructive methods would work????

 

You mean poke a hole? Only if you know what's on the other side.

 

X 2 Emphatically!!

Loosen the pan bolts, but leave a couple in on the side opposite the catch basin, pop that pan loose and prepare for a bath. Welcome to the wonderful world of servicing a Hydramatic transmission, but I've heard that DEXRON-VI gives your hair a shiny luster and bounce.

 

Well, I had in mind A) drill at the drain location, with a depth gauge or, B) loosen some bolts, then pry a hole thru the gasket (while protecting the aluminum housing).

 

You could fluid pump out through the lower site plug to remove most of the fluid too... If you have a fluid evacuation pump. I'm sure Harbor Freight has a cheapo if you don't have one already. (What don't those guys carry)

 

When I hit a curb and the pan starting leaking, I bought the pan with the drain plug and gasket ay NAPA $60.00 paid a trans. shop $78.00 to change and the trans fluid.