Which transmission filter kits have RUBBER gaskets?

[mrdctaylor]

I'm getting ready to do a pan drop on my 2002 Trailblazer and wanted to know (1) what brands of filter kits contain a rubber gasket (instead of cork) and (2) where can I buy that brand of filter?

Thanks in advance!

PS. As long as I'm posting, does it seem like a decent idea to do a pan drop/filter replacement on a Trailblazer that (1) has 150K miles, (2) has never had the ATF changed, but (3) the ATF is dark but does not smell burned? It is my parents' truck that they just gave to my daughter. My mom drives it easy. Lots of highway miles. Has never towed anything. Everything seems fine on the tranny. It shifts well. I just want to extend the life as long as I can. I was thinking about putting Dex VI in it, and just replacing the fluid that comes out (~5 quarts) for now. I may replace more a few miles down the road.

 

[02TrailBlazer]

Amazon is your friend.

Seriously though, an ACDelco kit or Wix kit are probably the way to go and are generally widely available local auto-parts stores or Walmarts should have some stock.
Have you thought about getting a Dorman pan w/ drainplug? Or installing a drain plug kit? Makes it easy to change 4 quarts every oil change.
These are also pretty helpful for changing all the fluid if you decide to go that route.
http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179148
http://www.tbssowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4027

 

[mrdctaylor]

Well, Amazon is part of the reason I asked on here. I've heard that Wix might have the rubber gasket, but when I look up the part on Amazon the photo shows a cork casket. See?

http://www.amazon.com/Wix-58904-Automatic-Transmission-Filter/dp/B000C9TDCK/ref=au_pf_ss_6?ie=UTF8&Make=Chevrolet|47&Model=Trailblazer|489&Year=2002|2002&carId=003&n=15684181&s=automotive

So Wix tranny filters come with rubber gaskets? If anyone has used both Wix and ACDelco, which kit is better?

 

[jpimp]

I'm currious why you need\want rubber? both should seal perfectly fine.

 

[mrdctaylor]

I've just heard that they are easier to get situated properly (without using some sort of sealant in a tube) and that they are going seal better in the long run. I've read that multiple places. Basically, they are supposed to be easier to work with. That *IS* what it came with from the factory, so I'd just prefer to stick with it.

 

[Hypnotoad]

I'm currious why you need\want rubber? both should seal perfectly fine.

Probably because rubber is more reusable.

 

[mrdctaylor]

If no one knows, that's cool. But if someone has dropper their pan and used one that has a rubber gasket I'd love to know what brand it was. Thanks!

 

[KNBlazer]

ac delco uses a composite IIRC...
TF337..... I used a paper thin layer of black rtv between the pan & gasket...

 

[Robbabob]

O'Reilly's is where I got ours and it was rubber.

 

[jpimp]

yea...I think the delco one is rubber iirc

 

[02TrailBlazer]

If no one knows, that's cool. But if someone has dropper their pan and used one that has a rubber gasket I'd love to know what brand it was. Thanks!

My bad, I just bought a Wix from Amazon. It's for a deep pan so make sure that's what you have if you pull the trigger.

But... reviews are great for finding info on items. Especially on Amazon.

The ACDelco one is some form of rubber also.

EDIT: Reviews are generally the best info for sites like amazon, product pictures however are not.

 

[Sparky]

I think the one I used was Pro King or something like that from Autozone or Advance. Rubber gasket.

 

[mrdctaylor]

My bad, I just bought a Wix from Amazon. It's for a deep pan so make sure that's what you have if you pull the trigger.

But... reviews are great for finding info on items. Especially on Amazon.

The ACDelco one is some form of rubber also.

EDIT: Reviews are generally the best info for sites like amazon, product pictures however are not.

Cool. I really like Wix products and O'Reilly Auto carries them. I'll be sure to check on which pan I have. I've seen example photos online. So does everyone agree that it is reasonable to do a pan drop at this high (152K) mileage? I've pretty much decided to do it, but there are always those dissenters.... :-/

 

[jpimp]

yea man.
I'd go all out and flush it.

 

[jsheahawk]

Both cork and rubber stick to the pan. I have had to wire wheel both types off of my pan. They both seal though.

Jared

 

[Robbabob]

So does everyone agree that it is reasonable to do a pan drop at this high (152K) mileage?

Do the pan drop and replace it with the Dorman pan mentioned above.

 

[Sparky]

I pumped my trans out, dropped the pan, replaced the filter, and refilled with all new fluid at around 115-120k miles. It had never been done before and the fluid was more brown than red.

Works great at 199k. Fluid is still nice and pink looking too.

 

[JerryIrons]

I got mine from Napa, and it was rubber. I'm pretty sure it was Wix.

 

[KNBlazer]

If your tranny is already damaged, changing the fluid won't necessarily be the cause of your tranny going out....as far as I know, heat is what kills transmissions....

 

[triz]

The Wix filter gasket is rubber. Part no. 58847 for the deep pan.

 

[The_Roadie]

I've never seen any compelling evidence that an neglected transmission is improved by extending the neglect.

Personally, I think it's an urban legend made up by some bottom-of-the-barrel cheapskate as an excuse for abject laziness. But I'm a hardass about timely maintenance.

 

[meerschm]

clean the pan off nice on the inside (including the magnet)

hand start the bolts back in

and use a torque wrench for the proper behavior. it is very easy to over torque,.


if they never changed the ATF, how about transfer case and differentials?

 

[mrdctaylor]

Nope. Never changed the diff (it is 2WD, so no xfer case). What is the generally agreed upon best fluid for a 2002 Trailblazer diff?

 

[Sparky]

Nothing special, 75W-90 gear oil basically.

 

[mrdctaylor]

I use Mobil 1 75w90 in my Tacoma. People have good luck with M1 in the diff?

 

[meerschm]

more free advice.

check the filter when you get it.

I had an experience with the local NAPA place which had the wrong filter in the box marked for the deep pan part number.

the one on the right is the correct part, the one on the left is the wrong part. note the lower left notch in the filter.

see how the notch fits into the corner of the pan?

I am pretty sure they all get this pan, with the notch in the corner. ( Deep pan)

note how nice and clean this pan is, magnet in place, and rubber gasket held in by a couple of the pan bolts.

make sure you hand start all the bolts. and use a 1/4 inch drive torque wrench. (97 INCH-lb)

 

[Mark20]

I ordered a Wix from Amsoil. It came with a rubber gasket.

However now that the notch issue has been pointed out I am going to check it and the pan again.

 

[gmcman]

At your mileage I would replace the fluid in the pan then drive it for about 500 miles. Then I would change the filter again and perform a full flush or complete fluid change. Reason is with the new fluid in the pan (about 4-5 qts) it will likely suspend some fine particles and by not changing out the entire 13 qts, you are less likely to suspend a whole lot of particles likely restricting flow through the filter. I doubt that would happen but I feel this method is better.

Valvoline Max Life is a great trans fluid as well as Amsoil, I have Max Life in mine.

When you get to the full fluid change, I would very strongly recommend replacing the seperator plate There are a few other things you could do if you are up to it like the vette servo and the PWM TCC eliminator and I can't recommend this enough.

The fluid changeout is simple, just pull the pass side cooler line and let it dump into a 5 gal bucket. Run the motor until it sputters then refill another 4 qts. Repeat about 3 times, won't get 100% but close enough.

I wanted to add the filter and gasket at the dealer has been rubber, they have just changed to the paper recently. When replacing the filter, set the new one alongside the old one and ensure they are the same height..should be for a deep pan.

 

[JerryIrons]

I use Mobil 1 75w90 in my Tacoma. People have good luck with M1 in the diff?

That's what I use works great

 

[Mypetropig]

I used the autozone kit and it came with a rubber gasket. For the trans fluid I used Walmart super tech brand (dex vi) and super tech 75w90 gear oil for the rear end. Both meet all the spec requirements for the fluid.
While I had the pan off I installed the dorman drain plug in the pan. It was approx $3 at Advance. Good luck.

 

[mrdctaylor]

more free advice.

check the filter when you get it.

I had an experience with the local NAPA place which had the wrong filter in the box marked for the deep pan part number.

the one on the right is the correct part, the one on the left is the wrong part. note the lower left notch in the filter.

see how the notch fits into the corner of the pan?

I am pretty sure they all get this pan, with the notch in the corner. ( Deep pan)

note how nice and clean this pan is, magnet in place, and rubber gasket held in by a couple of the pan bolts.

make sure you hand start all the bolts. and use a 1/4 inch drive torque wrench. (97 INCH-lb)

I had read elsewhere that the specs were 120 inch lbs (10 ft lbs). Do you have a manual that says 97 inch lbs?

 

[meerschm]

I passed(sold) my manual to another, having sold the car.

pretty sure the transmission pan bolt torque spec is 97 inch pounds. really need to use a 1/4 inch torque wrench with this value in the middle third of the range. this is the same as it has been on the 4L60E and earlier.

120 will probably not strip the threads, and may not bend the pan or crush the seal.

 

[JerryIrons]

I still have my manual, oil pan to transmissio case bolt 97 inch pounds, good memory meerschm