10 spd trans pan removal

kmeleon · December 31, 2023

So just hit 40k on my 21 5.3 Sierra Elevation w/10spd and in case I decide to keep it long term (thinking about a 2500 in 2 yrs) I'm going to change the fluid since I tow an 8k lb car trailer a dozen times a year. My plan is to pull the pan, change the filter and weld a drain plug in the pan. Then I'll just change pan fluid (4qts) a couple times a year.

My question is, the pan looks pretty easy to pull except for the exhaust. Has it been determined that we can just put a 2x4 on the frame and ratchet strap the exhaust down a bit to get clearance? Thanks!

Mark

kickass audio · December 31, 2023

I have not serviced the trans on my 2023 yet but on my 14 I got around the problem of the trans pan drop issue by unbolting the 2 nuts that secure the trans to the cross rail and jack the tail house up as high as I can and then unbolt the trans pan, swing the gasket around to get that extra 3/8" of room and fight to get the pan down and change the filter and clean the pan and magnet.

I don't know if the service plug you use on the side of the trans to fill it up with can go directly down to the bottom of the pan. On my 14 I had a dipstick for the trans and shoved the tube for my vacuum pump down the tube and drain the trans pan as much as I could get so I don't get as bad of a bath of trans fluid on my head and arms. If the fill plug can reach the bottom of the pan then it won't be so bad and I strongly advise to use a pump to siphon out as much fluid as you can get from the pan before dropping it.

Naughty Donkey Performance · January 15

Agreed pump it out first as you will want a pump to fill it anyway.

My 2020 did not require any removal or jacking up of anything to remove pan thankfully.

6.2 10 speed

kmeleon · January 18

On 1/14/2024 at 10:18 PM, Naughty Donkey Performance said:

Agreed pump it out first as you will want a pump to fill it anyway.

My 2020 did not require any removal or jacking up of anything to remove pan thankfully.

6.2 10 speed

Thanks for the info! I've got everything in the garage except for the new pan gasket, finally found one on ebay. Some sort of national backorder. I'll be ready to go next weekend

Naughty Donkey Performance · January 18

2 hours ago, kmeleon said:

Thanks for the info! I've got everything in the garage except for the new pan gasket, finally found one on ebay. Some sort of national backorder. I'll be ready to go next weekend

Gasket is meant to be reusable bolts should be replaced though

Mshawn · January 20

On 1/14/2024 at 9:18 PM, Naughty Donkey Performance said:

Agreed pump it out first as you will want a pump to fill it anyway.

My 2020 did not require any removal or jacking up of anything to remove pan thankfully.

6.2 10 speed

Was yours a 4wd?