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CoconutMilkFrog
Member
Hello,
I believe I have a 4R44E transmission in a 1996 RWD 3.0L V6. I was doing a transmission fluid change because it had never been done by the previous owner at 160k miles. I set my newly bought torque wrench to 8ft lbs thinking I was doing the right thing. I used the short bolt that came with my new filter. I was tightening and then heard a loud noise and then the bolt never tightened further past a certain point. Stripped the transmission filter bolt. I took the bolt back out, and I could see on about 1/5 of the bolt a spiral metal piece. Assumedly a whole section of the threading in the valve body.
Not having much of a choice, I tightened it with a smaller ratchet as much as I could before it would spin and feel loose again (I put the spiral metal shaving back on the bolt thinking maybe it could help keep it in place some how). The filter is snug and doesn’t move at all, but obviously concerned the bolt could back itself out / loosen with vibration.
I tested the transmission around a few neighborhood streets and is shifting fine, but how likely is that filter bolt going to loosen?
Should I try to use the original long bolt and modify the filter to make it sit flush? That would be great if I don’t have to drop the pan, and just leave it be. Because it’s a huge pain.
Other important info:
-The transmission dip stick is wildly inaccurate. Followed owner’s manual instructions. Ended up putting in roughly 4 quarts as that’s roughly what came out, but don’t have exact measurement unfortunately.
-The transmission pan was replaced with a 4x4 slightly deeper pan with the 4x4 filter. Not sure if that is effecting anything.
I believe I have a 4R44E transmission in a 1996 RWD 3.0L V6. I was doing a transmission fluid change because it had never been done by the previous owner at 160k miles. I set my newly bought torque wrench to 8ft lbs thinking I was doing the right thing. I used the short bolt that came with my new filter. I was tightening and then heard a loud noise and then the bolt never tightened further past a certain point. Stripped the transmission filter bolt. I took the bolt back out, and I could see on about 1/5 of the bolt a spiral metal piece. Assumedly a whole section of the threading in the valve body.
Not having much of a choice, I tightened it with a smaller ratchet as much as I could before it would spin and feel loose again (I put the spiral metal shaving back on the bolt thinking maybe it could help keep it in place some how). The filter is snug and doesn’t move at all, but obviously concerned the bolt could back itself out / loosen with vibration.
I tested the transmission around a few neighborhood streets and is shifting fine, but how likely is that filter bolt going to loosen?
Should I try to use the original long bolt and modify the filter to make it sit flush? That would be great if I don’t have to drop the pan, and just leave it be. Because it’s a huge pain.
Other important info:
-The transmission dip stick is wildly inaccurate. Followed owner’s manual instructions. Ended up putting in roughly 4 quarts as that’s roughly what came out, but don’t have exact measurement unfortunately.
-The transmission pan was replaced with a 4x4 slightly deeper pan with the 4x4 filter. Not sure if that is effecting anything.
