Transmission - Internal Filter Change
 

Andrew (AmazonParrot) was experiencing a few problems with his SVX, which were outlined and discussed in this thread: Tranny Slipping?

Going on Harvey's (oab_au) suggestion, Andrew and I devoted Saturday afternoon to changing the internal atf filter on his transmission. Many thanks to Tom (Svxfiles) for the expert telephone support and guidance he provided us throughout the day! :)

On a scale of 1-10, difficulty level of this job is about a 4, and surprisingly only two main tools are needed: 17mm wrench and 10mm socket w/ extension.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/24615.jpg

In terms of parts, besides 7-8 quarts of ATF you'll need and the container to collect it in, get a transmission pan gasket (Subaru Pt #31397AA040) along with the internal trans filter (Subaru Pt #31728AA011). Advanced Auto Parts sells a gasket and filter kit for our cars together as one item for $29.98, with the part # shown below:

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/24622.jpg

Start by jacking your SVX up on the passenger side and place a jack stand under a reinforced part of the frame before going underneath to undo the transmission drain plug with a 17mm wrench.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/24617.jpg

Once that's done, use the 10mm socket on an extension to undo the 20 bolts that hold the transmission pan in place. The pan should drop down very easily, but if not, use a thin pen knife blade to gently pry the pan off. More ATF will drip down once the pan is removed...

Take the pan and clean the inside very thoroughly with a rag:

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/24618.jpg

You'll now be able to look up and see this (The stock atf filter is the dark 'L' shaped object in the bottom right-hand side of the pic):

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/24619.jpg

To remove the filter, you'll need to loosen the 4 gold 10mm bolts holding it in place. The filter won't drop out as there's a dark metal tube that runs across one side of the filter. This tube is held in place with 2 black 10mm bolts which will need to be removed as well. The tube can be hard to remove once the bolts are undone, but a gentle tug will soon break it loose.

Here's a pic of the removed metal tube next to the old atf filter. Notice the very visible black grime coating screen on the inside of Andrew's old filter.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/24620.jpg

Now, take the new filter and install - be sure to use the new rubber o-ring provided that goes around the circular opening that goes up into the trans.

The metal tube can now be reinstalled and bolted into place. (Note: All the 10mm bolts around the internal filter/tube as well as the ones that hold the pan in place, should only be tightened to 8-10 ft-lbs).

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/24625.jpg

With everything bolted back in place, put the new gasket around the cleaned trans pan and bolt it back onto the bottom of the transmission. Be sure to put the drain plug back in as well. ;)

After adding a couple quarts of ATF (through the dipstick hole - use appropriate sized funnel), start the car up. You should then add the remainder of the ATF while your transmission is in gear. Use the atf dipstick to determine when the correct level is reached.

-Chike

P.S. Allocate about 3 hours to do this job.

A few more pics of the Advance Auto Filter...
 

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/24626.jpg

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/24623.jpg

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/24624.jpg

If you don't have the part # with you, there are two filter kits that they stock for our cars. You'll need to select the one that has a 'curved shape' around the circular opening that goes up into the trans. This 'curve' gives the appropriate room to the solid metal tube. The other filter kit is more rectangular in this area and bumps against the tube - if in doubt buy both and return the one that doesn't fit.

-Chike

Step-by-step pics are also in my locker here:

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/use...Chiketkd|24614

And the outcome?
 

Prior to changing the internal filter, Andrew's car would move when cold but cease to move when the transmission came up to temp. After installing the new internal filter, I drove Andrew's car back-n-forth along the road infront of his house for close to 40 minutes. His car is now driveable, but there's a few more issues to be fixed on his car - a leaking power steering hose and a ticking noise that sounds very much like a cracked flex plate (comes from behind the engine but infront of the transmission).

-Chike

AWSOME JOB!!!
 

Totally awsome write up there Chike. You need to do my documentation on the stuf that I do.
What do you charge per hour for a tech writting?:p

I just added a pics to my locker under Tranny Tear Down of a really dirty internal filter. My last dead tranny.

Again great job man.

Steve

Well now... I didn't know it was that easy! From everyone's previous descriptions, they made it sound all difficult and tedious. I'm definitely changing mine soon!

nice write up. :)

the filter kit should add some horsepower, because there is a WS6 picture on the box. :D

Re: AWSOME JOB!!!
 

What he said ^^^^^^

Hi Chiketd,
thanks for your write-up, i am about to do this job sometime later. Just i am waiting for some time to spend on it. You guys are helping eachother very much, but here i am not having anyone near to me who can help me out on this work.

Anyway can i know where the magnet is located which collects all the metal debris?

Also can you tell me how to drop off our front bumper, so that i can get access to the place infront of the a/c condenser imean just behind the front waterfall grill to install my cooler?

thanks in advance,
Pavan.

This write-up needs to go into the "How Too" section!
Great job Chike!

Nice job Chike and I agree, this should go into the how to section.
You know, other than some occassional babbling, you are a real asset to this site!;)

Well, you are in luck. I just did a write up and put it into PDF format and it will go into the How-To Documents under transmission. :)

It has been put there now. It is here. :)

Good write-up mate, hope it all goes well for Andrew.:)

Harvey.;)

Thanks a million guys!
 

I really appreciate the comments and the How-To. :) I was definitely glad to help Andrew with this project and get his SVX back on the road...

-Chike

I'm babbling less these days...but a comment like that really brings a smile to my face! :)

I really should thank Tom (svxfiles) and Harvey (oab_au) for the expert advice they bring to this site. Thanks guys!

-Chike