bolt broken on transmission pan

[pvchaitanya]

hi all,

I attempted transmission filter change on my lx 570 and two of the corner bolts on the transmission pan broke off. (I have already soaked them with penetrating oil and tried to be gentle back and forth, yet they broke off.

Any good tips or suggestions on how to remove the remaining bolt (stud) stuck in the slot?

I am thinking of trying to use pliers to drive it out from the top. The two screws go all the way and come out on the other side. I am thinking of using the part of the bolt which is still sticking out on the other side with pliers and see if it goes counter clock wise and come outside.

The only other way i know is to use a thin threaded drill hole in between the bolt but I fear it damage the threads.

 

[CharlieS]

Weld a nut onto the stud, and back it out. The heat will most likely help break the bond. If you or a friend doesn't weld, you might find someone like a mobile welder willing to come to you.

 

[bloc]

Search in this section.. at least one or two people have dealt with this.

I think it is because the corner bolts aren’t blind holes and the bolt protrudes through then corrodes.

 

[pvchaitanya]

thanks, seems like this is a common surprise. I am thinking of tapping it out with extraction kits.

Now I am stuck with another problem altogether, the pan is not dropping with all bolts removed. The two bolts which got broken are not it the way for pan to fall off.
I tried pulling it hard, slow hammering with mallet and try prying with hammer end. Its not even moving.

I am thinking for putting new fluid and warm it and see if it makes it easy to drop off.
Otherwise I dont see any other options.

 

[bloc]

The gasket is just suck. Start pulling on one corner, to get it started. If needed you can pry.. instead of prying against the sealing surface I’ll try to brace against something else and catch the edge of the pan.

It is also possible someone before you used rtv along with the gasket. Maybe check for evidence of that.

 

[vcheng]

I think it is because the corner bolts aren’t blind holes and the bolt protrudes through then corrodes.

Oh great. Another item to check and lubricate during my next under-vehicle visit.

 

[vcheng]

The gasket is just suck. Start pulling on one corner, to get it started. If needed you can pry.. instead of prying against the sealing surface I’ll try to brace against something else and catch the edge of the pan.

It is also possible someone before you used rtv along with the gasket. Maybe check for evidence of that.

Is there a gasket from the factory or just FIPG?

 

[pvchaitanya]

there is gasket from factory. The fluid looks really dark enough that I highly doubt if its touched after it came from factory. It currently has 138k miles on it.
I tried using plastic putty knife but I dont see much pay. Tried to pry but I fear the pan will start bending at edges.
I am almost inclined to put the bolts back on and just refill new fluid rather than changing filter and gasket.

 

[pvchaitanya]

I read somewhere that someone use a paint scraper (thin metal) and tried slow hammering.
I can use a sharp knife to cut the gasket between pan and body but this should be so hard. even if someone used FIPG on the gasket, it doesn't make sense that its stuck that way. they have to use fipg on both sides of gasket to jam it so tight to both the body and pan.

 

[Lester did that]

Be gentle as possible. A 5-in-1 painters tool works well. They are thin but sturdy enough to lever on. Use a block of wood or plywood to establish a fulcrum point on the pan only. Do not lever on the transmission itself. If you scratch or bend the seal on the transmission itself it's going to be a world of pain. You will have to use some sort of RTV. If the pan gets damaged just get another pan.

Amazon product ASIN B071XDP685
Those 2 bolts are the ones that always cause issues. Get the best extractor set that includes the proper drill bits that correspond to the extractor. The drill bit is an odd size. It could be something like 49/128". Believe it or not being off a 64th" will make a huge difference. It's the same as tapping a hole in cast iron. A welder was mentioned above but unless you have a lot of experience welding very small pieces like a boss I would avoid that. Those transmission bolts are small and delicate. If you accidentally heat up the transmission too much there is a small chance something could warp. Transmissions are not something to be approached with brute force.

Good Luck!

 

[bloc]

Bending the edge of the pan wouldn’t bother me at all. It is steel and can be straightened, plus the number of bolts will help pull it straight anyway.

A kink in the flange is a different story.

 

[Fisher23]

I have seen a few posts about this now.

Is it a good idea to put some high heat anti-seize on these like one does on glow plugs going into aluminum heads?

 

[bloc]

I have seen a few posts about this now.

Is it a good idea to put some high heat anti-seize on these like one does on glow plugs going into aluminum heads?

Probably not a bad idea, and obviously this is low risk so it's not like you'll hurt anything. Though I doubt high-heat is required.. the whole area is just going to see typical transmission temps. Even marine grease like people use on KDSS valves should work.

I do think it is much more of an issue in salty areas but given the conditions in that spot I'd bet those won't be the only rigs with this problem.

Think I'll go exercise those bolts and put some goop on mine too.. thanks for the idea.

 

[grinchy]

I broke one when I did the auto tranny fluid exchange.
Pan dropped easily though. The gasket is thick and plastic, it shouldn’t adhere on its own.

 

[pvchaitanya]

lucky you. I tried paint scraper gently and its not moving at all.
my plastic putty knife is disintegrating in smaller pieces with my wiggling.

My only other option is to put all the bolts back loose and fill up the transmission and drive or warm it and see if the pan is going to drop or leak.
If its not leaking, I am going to call it a day and wait for it to start leaking so I will take it to a shop.

Will let you know what i do.

 

[pvchaitanya]

 

[pvchaitanya]

finally the pan dropped.
The only trick which worked is to fill it back up with fluid, drive it and then tried with the paint scrapper gently and it drop off.
Now I have to remove the stuck bolts.

 

[pvchaitanya]

I am having issues extracting the broken bolt.
I am getting grip with the ryobi size 2 bolt extractor, but the grip on the adjustable wench is giving up.
Vice grips and others are also not getting enough grip on it. Any other ideas how I can turn the extractor?
The size of the extractor end is little less than 4 mm.

 

[grinchy]

Amazon product ASIN B01M6VWWAW

 

[grinchy]

Or a tap handle