Jump to content

Can I Replace The Tranny & Differen Fluid Myself?


Recommended Posts


I need to change my tranny fluid and differential fuid.  Can I do it myself?  I am a novice at this, but I CAN follow directions.  If so, can someone tell me how?  Thanks!  I have a 1996 GS3.

Yes, They both are very easy to do. Search these forums for directions, These topics are covered over and over.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I need to change my tranny fluid and differential fuid.  Can I do it myself?  I am a novice at this, but I CAN follow directions.  If so, can someone tell me how?  Thanks!  I have a 1996 GS3.

You're better off flushing the tranny, if it hasn't been changed in a while, as you'll only be mixing dirty, worn out fluid with new fluid. <_<

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks, Wicked & Turbo.  Turbo, did you do yours yourself?  if so, tell me how you did it.   :D

Locate the drain plug for the tranny and drop it like you would for a oil change, Let it drain and replace the plug and fill through the dipstick about 2 quarts. Differential is the same except for there is a fill plug that has to be loosened before the drain plug both are 10mm allen. remove the fill plug then remove the drain plug , Let it drain. replace the drain plug and you will have to pump the gear oil back in until it starts to overflow. Replace the fill plug and your done.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks, Wicked & Turbo.  Turbo, did you do yours yourself?  if so, tell me how you did it.   :D

Locate the drain plug for the tranny and drop it like you would for a oil change, Let it drain and replace the plug and fill through the dipstick about 2 quarts. Differential is the sane except for there is a fill plug that has to be loosened before the drain plug both are 10mm allen. remove the fill pluf then remove the drain plug , Let it drain. replace the drain plug and you will have to pump the gear oil back in until it starts to overflow. Replace the fill plug and your done.

Thanks, DC!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks, Wicked & Turbo.  Turbo, did you do yours yourself?  if so, tell me how you did it.   :D

Locate the drain plug for the tranny and drop it like you would for a oil change, Let it drain and replace the plug and fill through the dipstick about 2 quarts. Differential is the sane except for there is a fill plug that has to be loosened before the drain plug both are 10mm allen. remove the fill pluf then remove the drain plug , Let it drain. replace the drain plug and you will have to pump the gear oil back in until it starts to overflow. Replace the fill plug and your done.

Thanks, DC!

No prob. ;) Don't forget to clean the magnet on the drain plug.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks, Wicked & Turbo.  Turbo, did you do yours yourself?  if so, tell me how you did it.  :D

Locate the drain plug for the tranny and drop it like you would for a oil change, Let it drain and replace the plug and fill through the dipstick about 2 quarts. Differential is the sane except for there is a fill plug that has to be loosened before the drain plug both are 10mm allen. remove the fill pluf then remove the drain plug , Let it drain. replace the drain plug and you will have to pump the gear oil back in until it starts to overflow. Replace the fill plug and your done.

Thanks, DC!

No prob. ;) Don't forget to clean the magnet on the drain plug.

Once again! I would NOT just drain the fluid and replace on an older GS. There are over 10 quarts of fluid in the tranny, you're only replacing about 2. GO have it flushed at a reputable shop!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks, Wicked & Turbo.  Turbo, did you do yours yourself?  if so, tell me how you did it.   :D

Locate the drain plug for the tranny and drop it like you would for a oil change, Let it drain and replace the plug and fill through the dipstick about 2 quarts. Differential is the sane except for there is a fill plug that has to be loosened before the drain plug both are 10mm allen. remove the fill pluf then remove the drain plug , Let it drain. replace the drain plug and you will have to pump the gear oil back in until it starts to overflow. Replace the fill plug and your done.

Thanks, DC!

No prob. ;) Don't forget to clean the magnet on the drain plug.

Once again! I would NOT just drain the fluid and replace on an older GS. There are over 10 quarts of fluid in the tranny, you're only replacing about 2. GO have it flushed at a reputable shop!!

If the tranny has been maintained properly a drop and fill is all that is needed. Flush and fill ? You might as well do that everytime the service is performed, I don't think so.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks, Wicked & Turbo.  Turbo, did you do yours yourself?  if so, tell me how you did it.   :D

Locate the drain plug for the tranny and drop it like you would for a oil change, Let it drain and replace the plug and fill through the dipstick about 2 quarts. Differential is the sane except for there is a fill plug that has to be loosened before the drain plug both are 10mm allen. remove the fill pluf then remove the drain plug , Let it drain. replace the drain plug and you will have to pump the gear oil back in until it starts to overflow. Replace the fill plug and your done.

Thanks, DC!

No prob. ;) Don't forget to clean the magnet on the drain plug.

Once again! I would NOT just drain the fluid and replace on an older GS. There are over 10 quarts of fluid in the tranny, you're only replacing about 2. GO have it flushed at a reputable shop!!

If the tranny has been maintained properly a drop and fill is all that is needed. Flush and fill ? You might as well do that everytime the service is performed, I don't think so.

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...topic=24298&hl= Read this thread, This is what happened when he got his tranny FLUSHED.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Lexus factory repair manual recommends only a transmission oil pan drain and refill. Catastrophies like this http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...topic=24298&hl=

never happen after a simple transmission oil pan drain and refill. They only sometimes happen after the owner has been pursuaded by commercial interests into thinking a "flush" is better. Then when the shocked owner confronts the commercial interests they will say "don't blame us because your transmission was obviously on it's last legs anyway."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Lexus factory repair manual recommends only a transmission oil pan drain and refill.  Catastrophies like this http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...topic=24298&hl=

never happen after a simple transmission oil pan drain and refill.  They only sometimes happen after the owner has been pursuaded by commercial interests into thinking a "flush" is better.  Then when the shocked owner confronts the commercial interests they will say "don't blame us because your transmission was obviously on it's last legs anyway."

monarch, Exactly :cheers:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

lCatastrophies like this http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...topic=24298&hl=

never happen after a simple transmission oil pan drain and refill.  They only sometimes happen after the owner has been pursuaded by commercial interests into thinking a "flush" is better.  Then when the shocked owner confronts the commercial interests they will say "don't blame us because your transmission was obviously on it's last legs anyway."

WRONG!!! On a newer car, yes! On an older car that has probably never been changed and the fluids worn out, no! Most people get a flush when they have a problem. it usually is not the solution, so the problem just gets worse. Also people get flushes at places like walmart that don't keep their equipment maintained and cleaned and other people garbage gets flushed back into their car.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

WRONG!!!  On a newer car, yes! On an older car that has probably never been changed and the fluids worn out, no!

Have you ever heard of an older Toyota / Lexus transmission slipping and / or failing real soon after a simple transmission oil pan drain and refill? Probably not. The risk free and inexpensive procedure for renewing the fluid of an older Toyota transmission is for the owner to perform about 4-5 oil pan drain and refills over a period of days so the fluid and transmission are gently and gradually cleaned up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

WRONG!!!  On a newer car, yes! On an older car that has probably never been changed and the fluids worn out, no!

The risk free and inexpensive procedure for renewing the fluid of an older Toyota transmission is for the owner to perform about 4-5 oil pan drain and refills over a period of days so the fluid and transmission are gently and gradually cleaned up.

You still will have old fluid mixed with new and you will waste money and fluid. Again, It's all where you go to have the flush done. On a newer car the procedure you stated is correct. However on an older car that may never have had any fluids changed. It's better to flush it all out and get rid of any garbage or acidic fluid than to leave it circulating in there and contaminating the new fluid. B)

I've flushed mine everytime at a reputable shop and it has never caused a problem and the fluid only lasts about a year anyway.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

However on an older car that may never have had any fluids changed. It's better to flush it all out and get rid of any garbage or acidic fluid than to leave it circulating in there and contaminating the new fluid

Some Toyota / Lexus dealers and independent Toyota / Lexus specialty service shops like JPI Importz refuse to do flushes, even though they are highly profitable, because they know there is a small risk the flush will cause a customer's transmission to fail and they don't want to have to foot the $2000-$4,000 replacement bill. These same dealers and shops are comfortable doing pan drains and refills because they know there is no risk of transmission failure involved with that procedure.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


However on an older car that may never have had any fluids changed. It's better to flush it all out and get rid of any garbage or acidic fluid than to leave it circulating in there and contaminating the new fluid

Some Toyota / Lexus dealers and independent Toyota / Lexus specialty service shops like JPI Importz refuse to do flushes, even though they are highly profitable, because they know there is a small risk the flush will cause a customer's transmission to fail and they don't want to have to foot the $2000-$4,000 replacement bill. These same dealers and shops are comfortable doing pan drains and refills because they know there is no risk of transmission failure involved with that procedure.

I understand, it's a liability issue as the first thing someone does once they have a tranny problem is go get it flushed. Then when it does go out, it was going to anyway as it was neglected or the fluid never changed, the shop owner has to deal with it because he did a flush on it. B)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...

Forums


News


Membership


  • Unread Content
  • Members Gallery