Transmission leak

grabeb

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Joined
Jun 29, 2021
Messages
366
Location
Kansas
01 Sport and transmission pan leaking. roughly 130k miles and it's an auto.

Was leaking, I tightened up the bolts and it really slowed down to maybe a drip if that. That was only month or two ago. Yesterday, noticed another decent size spot on garage floor again. I figured maybe not bad idea to just take it in and have her serviced, but they can't get it in until next Wed at earliest, which is ok, except it is my daughters daily and as a college kid she gets pretty busy. I'm now debating if I just do it myself, I do have a 4 post lift, it's really just taking the time to do.

So, how bad are these? Looks like just drop skid plate, undo the bolts, yank the filter and replace, then re-install everything. I haven't really messed with a transmission in about 30 years and even then more just on standards. Is it better to just pay them to do? I've always been more of a DIY maintenance type of person, but I'm getting pickier the older I get. My fear is a stripped bolt or some other unknown....like why are the bolts seeming to loosen?

IF, I do it myself, how many quarts of fluid do I need? What fluid do you all recommend? I'm guessing FelPro Gasket? What about the filter? I know there are those that say if it hasn't been changed, don't do it. I know the shops will all say ALWAYS change and 130k doesn't seem like a ton of mileage, it's more the 24years that concerns me and I don't have any major history on this.

***while I'm at it, I suppose I should change out the transfer case and possibly the rear diff and front diff? Again, any fluid recommendation on these?

***maybe I should mention it needs to go up on lift for the front brakes, maybe replace brake line that looks corroded and then exhaust is also on my too do list. Another post on that to come.
 
I don't have any advice on the actual job itself, but just a heads up that if you are going to drop the transmission skid you must first support the weight of the trans, the skid plate also serves as a cross member for the transmission and transfer case.

I found this out the hard way. 😬
 
I don't have any advice on the actual job itself, but just a heads up that if you are going to drop the transmission skid you must first support the weight of the trans, the skid plate also serves as a cross member for the transmission and transfer case.

He's probably referring to the trans. pan skid plate up front.
 
01 Sport and transmission pan leaking. roughly 130k miles and it's an auto.

Was leaking, I tightened up the bolts and it really slowed down to maybe a drip if that. That was only month or two ago. Yesterday, noticed another decent size spot on garage floor again. I figured maybe not bad idea to just take it in and have her serviced, but they can't get it in until next Wed at earliest, which is ok, except it is my daughters daily and as a college kid she gets pretty busy. I'm now debating if I just do it myself, I do have a 4 post lift, it's really just taking the time to do.

So, how bad are these? Looks like just drop skid plate, undo the bolts, yank the filter and replace, then re-install everything. I haven't really messed with a transmission in about 30 years and even then more just on standards. Is it better to just pay them to do? I've always been more of a DIY maintenance type of person, but I'm getting pickier the older I get. My fear is a stripped bolt or some other unknown....like why are the bolts seeming to loosen?

IF, I do it myself, how many quarts of fluid do I need? What fluid do you all recommend? I'm guessing FelPro Gasket? What about the filter? I know there are those that say if it hasn't been changed, don't do it. I know the shops will all say ALWAYS change and 130k doesn't seem like a ton of mileage, it's more the 24years that concerns me and I don't have any major history on this.

***while I'm at it, I suppose I should change out the transfer case and possibly the rear diff and front diff? Again, any fluid recommendation on these?

***maybe I should mention it needs to go up on lift for the front brakes, maybe replace brake line that looks corroded and then exhaust is also on my too do list. Another post on that to come.


IMO, not changing fluid because it's been a while is geared toward the reverse flushes done at lube shops.
Dropping the pan and changing the filters is always a good idea.
However, that does not get all the fluid out of the torque converter.
I use a Lube Locker gasket instead of RTV, with no issues.
Any ATF-4 is good enough.
 
We did mine a few months ago in the street at 9pm, tools 45 minutes maybe, not too bad of a job. Iirc, not all the bolts are the same size so be sure to keep those in order.