How do you change the transmission fluid in a 4 wheel drive 97 Ford Explorer?

Answer 1

First, you need to purchase a transmission filter and gasket kit and about 5 quarts of Mercon V Transmission Fluid. Make sure you get the right gasket, there are two transmissions for a 1997 Explorer. (one has 16 bolts for the pan and one has 18) Place an oil pan and a lot of newspaper under the transmission. Make sure it is cool. Remove the catalytic converter heat shield from the lip around the transmission pan. It's clipped on. Remove the bolts from the front of the pan first. Loosen the rear ones, but don't remove them yet, because this way you can let the pan hang down and drain. The pan may need to be pried loose, but support it with your hands and be sure not to bend or damage the pan or gasket surface. May be very messy. Remove rear bolts. Clean pan with solvent, and also there should be a magnet in the pan to collect metal sludge. Clean it. Remove the old filter, held in by one screw, and a spacer and o-rings behind it. Put the new filter in, don't forget the spacer and new o-rings. Clean and dry the gasket surfaces and remove any old sealant or gasket. Replace the pan and heat shield and torque the bolts to 108-132 inch pounds. Be very careful to never get any dirt or debris in the transmission. Add fluid very slowly in filler tube and chech level often. After adding 3 1/2 to 4 quarts start engine and, while holding brake down, move through all the gears and return it to park. Check fluid level with dipstick with engine idling and transmission in park. Don't fill to operating level yet, leave it low because you won't get a true reading until you drive 15-20 minutes to warm it up. When its warm check the level again and add to the crosshatched area on the dipstick. It's very important not to overfill or underfill it because this will cause foaming and bad shifting and damage the transmission.