Power Flush or Drop Pan? - I have a very similar truck that I just changed the tranny fluid on. It was not easy, but not difficult either. With some ...

I have a very similar truck that I just changed the tranny fluid on. It was not easy, but not difficult either. With some patience you can slide the pan between the exhaust and the tranny filter. The linkage bracket was a bigger pain in the behind for me. I just bent it out of the way after I got tired of messing around trying to remove it.

All in all it took about an hour and a half, not too bad.

Anyone done this on a '08+?

I dropped the pan on my '09. My first time ever performing transmission service, went fine once I removed the linkage.

Did you have to fight the cross pipe to get the pan off the filter?, and what did you mean by removing the linkage? just unbolting it or?

Yes, unbolting the linkage slowed me down a bit...had to buy a new torx bit and since it was facing up I had a little trouble reaching it. I didn't have any real issues getting the pan off after that.

I was planning on doing this, I guess I need to get under there and see what is involved in this process.

Hi Guys, I thought I would add my .02 centavos here, I have 50 years of preventative maint. experience from Initiating it in the USN in the early 60's to 20 years field service PM's on Caterpillar heavy equipt. in the field, I've learned something new everyday, First, Unless a transmission was designed to be backflushed I wouldn't do it, Backflushing a transmission would only put the impurities back where they came from, also, there is a reason for no drain plug in the tranny, the magnet needs to be cleaned when the filter is changed. Hope this helps, Ed

So are you saying these systems are meant to be back flushed because there is no drain plug?

Well... Guess I'll add my 2 cents worth. I believe in the value of flushing auto trans. BUT I also believe in the value of doing it correctly. In my case that means taking the vehicle to a trans specialty shop. Some things I've learned:
1) Never back flush. Always "forward" flush. Start the truck, put it in gear, and let the truck's pump push the fluid out.
2) ALWAYS drop the pan first and replace the filter. You don't want to "flush" dirt, metal, and other assorted debris through the system.
3) Obviously, keep filling the system with clean new fluid as the truck pumps out the old. This is why I go to a trans specialty shop - they have the knowledge and equipment to do this correctly.
I do this EVERY time I take our Corvette out on the track and have never had a problem with the trans. The truck has it done every 30,000 miles "just because."
I know my experience is my own and others may not agree with me. But this is what has worked for me for the past 40 or so years of driving.
Best wishes.
Glen

Do you suggest doing a tranny fluid change with someone who has done it before? I have never done it but i don't consider myself mechanically retarded. I have basic experience but i'm trying to teach myself so I can truely know my own vehicle.