How do you change the transmission fluid out in a 1994 Chevy truck with the cross member?

Answer 1

I'm having the same problem right now but this is the options I have come up with... If you can, remove the cross member. On my truck the bolts are rusted and seized, I tried copious amounts of penetrating oil to no avail. Be careful with heat because there is a gas line hidden on the frame member right above where the cross member is bolted on.(I'd avoid heat.) Option two... Drill holes through the cross member and make them large enough to get your socket through to the bolts. Care must be taken line the holes up with the bolts. It shouldn't weaken the cross member enough to worry about. Option three... and I do not know if this will work. Remove the bolts from the motor mounts and check and remove anything that can be crushed between the motor and the firewall. Then jack your engine and tranny up just enough to give you enough clearance to get those pesky bolts out. I think this would be a last resort though. Option four... Heat and bend a wrench to fit onto the bolts but still clear the cross member. Let the wrench cool down before use... Or maybe buy an offset box head wrench? Option five... When in doubt, phone your local Chevy dealer and ask to speak to a mechanic. Ask him (or her), something like... "Hey, how do you change the Transmission Fluid out in a 1994 Chevy truck with the cross member?" "Is there a special tool or trick?" Option six... Go to a Jiffy Lube or some such place and let them worry about it... Ask the price first. Good luck, please post what works best.

NEW ANSWER: You don't have to do any of that stuff. Just get a 1/4 inch drive socket and it will fit right on the back bolts of the transmission pan and remove them. Then tilt pan foreward and it will come right out. It's no big job what so ever. Easy.