I am new to the forums but wanted to offer my experience on the changing of the transmission filter and fluid from a DYI point of view.
First of all, I have 55,856 miles on my 2008 T&C. Runs great but I was getting some slight hard shifting, mainly between 2-3 gears or when coasting and coming to a stop, it would downshift a bit hard. I took my T&C to the dealership and there was no software update for my vehicle but they did reset the transmission computer to "new" so it would "learn" my driving. It immediately shifted better. The dealership reminded me that I should have the filter and fluid changed on this vehicle and asked if I wanted to schedule and appointment... I figured I would attempt to do this repair on my own, after reading the forums for a few days.
First and foremost, my T&C has the 6 speed transmission and I found out that the kit (Filter & gasket) is a bit harder to find (locally) than the kit for the 4 speed transmission. Purchased the kit from Autozone. It was about $25. It wasn't coming in for a day so I figured that would give me plenty of time to get the old pan off and clean everything very good.
Got the car jacked up and loosened all of the 12 bolts that secure the pan to the transmission. As I loosened the bolts, fluid begin to drip out slowly. I then realized that I am gonna have a mess when this pan lets loose so I got a big garbage can lid to catch all of the fluid. (Glad I did). The fluid looked dark, almost black. I drained the fluid into a few containers so I can accurately measure how much fluid came out so I know how much to put back in. I measured a slight bit less than 6 qts.
I took the pan down and immediately began to clean the pan and get it looking like new. There was some, not much, metal dust on the magnet. Nothing to be concerned about.
I then removed the filter. It looked VERY dirty inside. Because I was waiting for the new part to arrive, I had plenty of time to let the old fluid drain out and get everything clean. I made sure all of the old gasket material was off the pan. I used a gasket removing solvent but it didn't seem to get any more off than I was able to get off with just lightly scraping with a razor blade, being VERY careful not to etch the metal.
So, the new part arrives and the drips under the car have stopped. I install the new filter with the two bolts. The new part arrived with a rubber gasket. I was asking myself how will I be able to keep the gasket in place while finger tightening the bolts? I decided I would use twist ties. You know, the ones that are in your junk-drawer in your kitchen. I put those around the hole in the pan and the rubber gasket just to hold it in place. As a put a bolt in, I slide out the twist tie. It made the job VERY VERY easy and fast. Had the new pan on and secured in about 8 minutes. I filled the fluid with 6 qts and started it up and put it in neutral and waited... NO LEAKS so far. I will drive it for a few days and re-torque the bolts but all went very well.
Overall, this was the easiest project I have ever done on a car. It was an easy-off/easy-on replacement.
Just wanted to share my experience... I am new so be gentle with your criticism. (haha)
First of all, I have 55,856 miles on my 2008 T&C. Runs great but I was getting some slight hard shifting, mainly between 2-3 gears or when coasting and coming to a stop, it would downshift a bit hard. I took my T&C to the dealership and there was no software update for my vehicle but they did reset the transmission computer to "new" so it would "learn" my driving. It immediately shifted better. The dealership reminded me that I should have the filter and fluid changed on this vehicle and asked if I wanted to schedule and appointment... I figured I would attempt to do this repair on my own, after reading the forums for a few days.
First and foremost, my T&C has the 6 speed transmission and I found out that the kit (Filter & gasket) is a bit harder to find (locally) than the kit for the 4 speed transmission. Purchased the kit from Autozone. It was about $25. It wasn't coming in for a day so I figured that would give me plenty of time to get the old pan off and clean everything very good.
Got the car jacked up and loosened all of the 12 bolts that secure the pan to the transmission. As I loosened the bolts, fluid begin to drip out slowly. I then realized that I am gonna have a mess when this pan lets loose so I got a big garbage can lid to catch all of the fluid. (Glad I did). The fluid looked dark, almost black. I drained the fluid into a few containers so I can accurately measure how much fluid came out so I know how much to put back in. I measured a slight bit less than 6 qts.
I took the pan down and immediately began to clean the pan and get it looking like new. There was some, not much, metal dust on the magnet. Nothing to be concerned about.
I then removed the filter. It looked VERY dirty inside. Because I was waiting for the new part to arrive, I had plenty of time to let the old fluid drain out and get everything clean. I made sure all of the old gasket material was off the pan. I used a gasket removing solvent but it didn't seem to get any more off than I was able to get off with just lightly scraping with a razor blade, being VERY careful not to etch the metal.
So, the new part arrives and the drips under the car have stopped. I install the new filter with the two bolts. The new part arrived with a rubber gasket. I was asking myself how will I be able to keep the gasket in place while finger tightening the bolts? I decided I would use twist ties. You know, the ones that are in your junk-drawer in your kitchen. I put those around the hole in the pan and the rubber gasket just to hold it in place. As a put a bolt in, I slide out the twist tie. It made the job VERY VERY easy and fast. Had the new pan on and secured in about 8 minutes. I filled the fluid with 6 qts and started it up and put it in neutral and waited... NO LEAKS so far. I will drive it for a few days and re-torque the bolts but all went very well.
Overall, this was the easiest project I have ever done on a car. It was an easy-off/easy-on replacement.
Just wanted to share my experience... I am new so be gentle with your criticism. (haha)
