A4 transmission fluid change
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 6,904
Likes: 6
From: Long Valley NJ
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'08,'11 thru '17, '21
A4 transmission fluid change
I'm in the middle of changing the fluid ion my 98 A4. It's drained, the pan's off, and I removed the filter. I can't get the little filter seal out of the transmission body. Is there a special tool, something I can pick up at Autozone or wherever?
I made a metal bar with a hook on the end, but I can't get enough of a bite on the seal to pull it out. (Seems like a pretty good press fit in there) I'm reluctant to get too aggressive & gouge up the aluminum where the seal presses in.
I made a metal bar with a hook on the end, but I can't get enough of a bite on the seal to pull it out. (Seems like a pretty good press fit in there) I'm reluctant to get too aggressive & gouge up the aluminum where the seal presses in.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,088
Likes: 61
From: NY- 2013 Corvette Challenge Champion-2013 Index Combo Champion 2015 CC/MM Champion
St. Jude Donor '07
If I remember,I had a bolt that kind of screwed into that seal and welded a hook on it And pulled it out with a small slide hammer,Just to give you an idea....................Paul
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 6,904
Likes: 6
From: Long Valley NJ
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'08,'11 thru '17, '21
That's not a bad idea; I'm sure I can scrounge up a suitable bolt & give it a try.
I just got back from 3 auto parts stores, & all said they had nothing that would work. So I guess I need a homemade tool.
The Autozone guy told me it's just a rubber seal that I can pull out with my finger. I said no, it's bonded to a metal sleeve. He just shhok his head "no, it's just a rubber ring". Azzhat.
I just got back from 3 auto parts stores, & all said they had nothing that would work. So I guess I need a homemade tool.
The Autozone guy told me it's just a rubber seal that I can pull out with my finger. I said no, it's bonded to a metal sleeve. He just shhok his head "no, it's just a rubber ring". Azzhat.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,088
Likes: 61
From: NY- 2013 Corvette Challenge Champion-2013 Index Combo Champion 2015 CC/MM Champion
St. Jude Donor '07
Yea its in there pretty good,When you put the new one in,Get it started and carefully tap it in with a small socket thats the same diameter has the new seal.You might need an extension on the socket.................Paul
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 6,904
Likes: 6
From: Long Valley NJ
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'08,'11 thru '17, '21
I tried bending the lip & & grabbing it with needlenose pliers, with no luck. So I made this fine precision tool from a small steel bar, nut & bolt, and a piece of pipe. Sort of an improvised slide hammer thing:
The end of the bar needed a deep notch with a hook shape to get above & over the soft rubber part at the top of the seal. The hook end then contacted the metal shell of the seal, so when I used the pipe slide, it pulled the seal down a little bit with each hit. I changed the position of the hook a few times, and after about 5-6 hits, the seal came out. Tapped in the new one with a socket, filled it up, & I'm back on the road.
One note: You have to have the transmission fluid up to working temperature in order to check the level, and the fill hole is somewhat close to the now-hot exhaust pipe, and transmission fluid on your skin seems to intensify the burn you can get from a hot piece of metal. I'm just sayin'...
The end of the bar needed a deep notch with a hook shape to get above & over the soft rubber part at the top of the seal. The hook end then contacted the metal shell of the seal, so when I used the pipe slide, it pulled the seal down a little bit with each hit. I changed the position of the hook a few times, and after about 5-6 hits, the seal came out. Tapped in the new one with a socket, filled it up, & I'm back on the road.
One note: You have to have the transmission fluid up to working temperature in order to check the level, and the fill hole is somewhat close to the now-hot exhaust pipe, and transmission fluid on your skin seems to intensify the burn you can get from a hot piece of metal. I'm just sayin'...
Last edited by Stevedore; Jun 3, 2007 at 09:35 PM.
