I was wondering if it is possible to somehow drain all of the old fluid out of my tranny. Also, I am planning on replacing it with Dextron III fluid. Is this a good fluid to use?

 

Dextron 3 if ine so are the synthetics.
As for draining out all the fluid, no, the ZF tranny does not have a drain plug in the torque convertor so at best you will be able to drain out about 5.5 qts. If your tranny didn't have that much mileage you could try a flush, but with your milaege this will do more harm then good.
My suggestion would be to drain the tranny, add one bottle of Lucas tranny additive and Dextron drive it for 3 or 4000 miles and do it again. This will clean it out pretty well and prolong it's life.
Alos do your regular tranny services at 20,000 mile intervals for longer life.
Mike

 

Thanks Mike! You are the Dr. House of Land Rovers!

I am ashamed to admit that I have never changed the fluid!!! I thought it was a 90k thing!!! I will do as you suggest.

thanks again

 

If this is the first time, do a filter chabge also. Do you know the procedure for refilling the tranny after draining the fluid, if not, send me your tele number and I'll go thru it with you.
Mike
mikeljacobs@comcast.net

 

Yes, somewhat I gess. I know I am suppose to fill it, then start the motor to top it off while it's running. I did buy a filter and pan gasket kit so I will replace that.

I am not sure about were to refill it or how. I don't see a dipstick!

 

Just sent you my phone numbers.

thanks Mike

 

Thanks to Mike's advise I sucessfully changed my tranny fluid and filter last night. When he says get six quarts of fluid he was not kidding! I used a bottle of Lucas additive then,using the Lucas bottle as an aplicator, I squeezed5 1/2 quarts of Dextron III in to the hole in the pan.

I bought the truck with 30k miles and I am guessing it must have been done at least once since the fluid really was not as dirty as you would think. It didn't really smell "burnt" either. Maybe it's because I only drive it on short trips since I live and work in the same small town. Also, I don't pull a trailer or anything else. Just to be on the safe side I will drain and fill again in the near future.

One other thing though... while I was down there letting the pan drip I greased the driveshafts. Are the only points to grease on the slip yolks and on the regularU joints? I did'nt see a place togrease the double-cardon styleU joints or any places on the steering parts either???

 

If your double cardon doesn't have grease fittings, get it rebuild with new greaseable u-joints ASAP, cause when they fail, and they all do, it can and usually will take out the tranny also.
Mike

 

Mike,

Is it possible to drill a hole and install a grease nipple on the stock joints?

If so, is it also possible to do this on the front end joints aswell?

 

NO, not at all and besides your U-joints are most likely fried at this point. So you can spend around $200 and have it rebuilt or about $7000 when it blows and takes out your trannt with it.
Mike