Changing Transmission Oil 92 SHO

[Nessa]

I have a '92 SHO, and trying to change the transmission oil has been a nightmare! I bought this car in May and have had some issues with a stiff transmission in hot weather. We found the drain plug for the transmission oil, and it took a **** of a lot to break, so it probably hasn't been changed in a very long time, if ever.


My question: I have a Chilton's manual, but it doesn't seem to match up with my car. Anyone have any pictures that might be a little clearer to help me find the filler plug? A spec would be great if someone has one, or maybe just a little better explaination of where to find it? All help is appreciated.


A search of the forums came up with this thread, but it didn't seem to have what I was looking for:

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=113360&highlight=transmission+oil

 

[Ishodu]

Well the thing is there is no factory drain plug. There is a bolt you can remove that holds the shift linkage in place that will remove around half of the oil. If you remove this bolt and touch the shifter or linkage in anyway you may need to pull the trans apart to get the bolt back in place.
The fill plug is on the front of the trans about 1/2 way up. Its a square hole. Use a short 3/8" extension or the ratchet itself to remove it.
If you go to www.shotimes.com there is a section there that shows you where to add a drain hole if you wanted one. Lots of people just suck the oil out of the fill hole as well quite effectively with a hose.

 

[Nessa]

That's what I'm starting to figure out. We actually pulled out the shift linkage bolt by accident, assuming it's the bolt in the back of the transmission. No oil came out. If what you just said is true, that must mean I need oil. That's scary.

 

[kevinspann]

The bolt he is referring to is in the front of the trans.

 

[Nessa]

That would be the shift linkage bolt? The one he broke was in the back. Just talked to the BF, he said he broke it, but didn't actually take it out. I'm trying to learn so I can do this stuff myself, but please forgive me for the time being for my lack of knowledge. Transmission is just stiff, especially so in hot weather. Think the oil hasn't been changed in a really, really, really long time. So the bolt in the back of the transmission isn't the shift linkage bolt? And if not, what is it?

 

[kevinspann]

Is there anyway you can take some pictures for us?

It might be low on fluid, but how is the clutch?

 

[Nessa]

Pretty sure the clutch needs replaced soon, if not already. What would you like a picture of? I know that the oil is definitely an issue. Whether the oil is low or old, I don't know yet. Everyone who looks at it says it's different than any car they've ever worked on, so repairs are taking a long time, considering I can't just go to a shop and drop a couple thousand dollars in their laps.

 

[kevinspann]

Just wondering what bolt on the back is broken. A dying clutch won't fully release, making it hard to shift.

These things aren't hard to work on, people are just scared of them.

 

[Racer X]

I'm trying to wrap my head around which bolt at the rear of the transmission will allow fluid out?

 

[Nessa]

Not broke as in broke, broke as in loosened it. So that way I could go back and change the oil myself. I'm not that strong, so he was just trying to loosen the bolt so I could get it off. He just loosened it though, he didn't pull it out. I thought it was the shift linkage bolt, but I'm really not sure what it is, though it's been tightened back up since. The clutch we plan to replace, the clutch kits are expensive though. I was hoping the oil would help until I can save up the $300 for the clutch kit. We're going to look again for the fill plug when he can get home before dark. He's been working lately, and I know better than to think I know enough about cars to do anything without supervision.

 

[Ishodu]

The fill plug is your best bet. Just suck the fluid out of there with a turkey baster and a length of hose on the end. The fill plug is also indicates the full level. When you can't fit anymore fluid in its full then reinstall the plug. 3 quarts is what it takes. And the only bolt I can think of on the rear is for either the brackets on the rod shifter or cable shifter.

 

[Nessa]

The manual says 6.2 quarts, but 3 is what I'm seeing a lot. Is that a misprint?

 

[93rev2sev]

Dunno what manual you've got. I'm going to break out my google and find you some pictures. Perhaps if you identified the bolt that was loosened, the rest of us can sleep tonight.

 

[93rev2sev]

Here's pic one of the back of the trans.

And the driver's side...

Here's some line art of the bottom of the front of the trans, looking at the fill hole from in front and below

 

[19sho90]

You may have the manual for a regular Taurus in Auto form. Cause if you take the drain plug out of an auto it will not fully drain the ATF. So i think thats the case.

 

[Nessa]

I don't see the bolt there, but I didn't get a good look at it. The bolt is back in place however, we did figure out it wasn't a drain plug, and tightened it right back up. And the owner's manual says 6.2 quarts. We thought it seemed like a lot, but that's what it said. I'm hoping to get to the point where I can do most of my own regular maintanance, I appreciate all your help answering questions. I don't like the helpless woman thing.

 

[93rev2sev]

Here's a line art view of the fill plug from the perspective of a squirrel about to have a bad day.

 

[kevinspann]

3 quarts is all you need, any more than that and you'll make a big mess. Valvoline MaxLife ATF is what most people try first, and seems to work well.

The shift linkage bolt has an 8mm if I remember correctly. It is on the "front" of the transmission (the side facing towards the front of the car). If you guys take it out and don't move the shifter, it will be fine. You'll be able to drain approximately 2 quarts (not quite) out of the transmission this way. Then reinstall the bolt, and fill through the fill plug.

As said before, you use a 3/8" ratchet with NO socket on it to remove the fill plug. It will be the only square drive thing you see (it is up and to the left of the shift linkage bolt)

It can be tough to remove, so make sure the end of the ratchet is fully seated in it so that it doesn't get stripped.

If you choose, you can try to remove the remaining fluid from the transmission through here, or you can fill it - you'll need a funnel with a length of hose attached to the bottom in order to do so.

There are inexpensive "fluid transfer pumps" available, but I have never found them to work well. The turkey baster as suggested may work better.

 

[itwonder]

It's very simple to install a drain plug. Instructions, unbelievability detailed ones at that, are here:
http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/mod...le=article&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&sid=93

Use Mobil 1 ATF. After 500 miles, you should notice improvement in shifts.

 

[Ishodu]

Not sure if you finished this job or not but I found a post with one of my old pictures in it that may explain quite a bit.
http://www.shoforum.com/showpost.php?p=829545&postcount=6