DIY How to Service a Sealed Transmission: Easy, Safe and Proper Procedures

Vehicle: 2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited
Time/Difficulty: 4-5 Hrs./Medium
Parts Needed:
  • ATF - I am using the Amsoil Signature Series Fuel-Efficient 100% Synthetic ATF instead of Toyota WS
  • Transmission Strainer/Filter #35330-60050
  • Transmission Pan Gasket #35168-60010
  • Gaskets for both the Drain and Overflow Plugs
  • #35178-30010
  • O-Ring for the Strainer/Filter #90301-31014
  • O-Ring for the Filler Plug #90301-15004
Tools Needed:
  • 24 mm Socket, 14 mm deep socket, 10 mm deep socket
  • Rachets-1/2 , 3/8 and 1/4 drives, Torque wrenches-1/2, 3/8 and 1/4 drives, Hexbit Drive 5 mm, Manual ATF Pump , Torpedo level, Eye protector and Scan Gauge (If you don't have one, you can use graduated buckets and measuring cup qt - You have to put back the same amount of fluid that come out from the transmission), Toyota Service Information
By SamDIYer
( 3 )

1 minute read

In this video, I am going to show you how to properly and safely service a sealed transmission. I heard a lot of people talking about sealed transmissions not having the need to be serviced at all. They thought sealed transmissions are made for lifetime. There is no need to change the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) and/or the transmission filter/strainer. But, that is a misconception or misinformation.

Sealed transmissions, just like transmissions with dipsticks, need to be serviced too. In fact, Toyota is recommending to change the ATF at 100K miles for the first time, and every 50K miles thereafter.

Just like all oils and fluids, the protective properties of ATF break down as time goes. As they are subjected to constant heat when you drive your car or truck, the transmission fluid becomes less ans less effective in protecting your transmission. So, they need to be changed too just like your engine oil, only it takes longer.

And if you wanted to go further, then replace the transmission filter too. Transmission filter is also called transmission strainer. Inside the transmission filter housing, which is made of metal, there are metal mesh whose primary function is to filter out, as the name suggests, debris from going to the transmission itself, thereby preventing any damage to the transmission. The meshed strainer, in time, got clogged up too. So, it needs to be changed too.

The goals of this project are: change the transmission filter and change the automatic transmission fluid. For this project, I am going to use our 2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited. It is a 5th Generation Toyota 4Runner. It is a rear wheel drive (RWD). It has a sealed transmission. It has Aisin Transmission. It has the A750E transmission. Aisin Transmissions are known to be ultra reliable transmissions. I never had any issue at all.

My 4Runner already has almost 100K miles on its belt. Actually, this is already the second time that I changed both the transmission filter and automatic transmission fluid. I did the first one at 70K miles. It is my strong conviction that automatic transmission fluid and transmission filters are way much cheaper than having to have my transmissions repaired or rebuilt or totally replaced in case it becomes inoperable due to damage done by not servicing my transmission.

For this project, as I always do, I am using OEM parts from Toyota. I got my parts from www.toyotapartsdeal.com. Here is the list of the parts I used:

Strainer: #35330-60050
https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/t...)

Transmission Pan Gasket: #35168-60010
https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/t...)

O-Ring for the filter/strainer: #90301-31014
https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/t...)

O-Ring for the Filler Plug: #90301-15004
https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/t...)

Transmission Drain Plug Gasket: #35178-30010
https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/t...
Make=Toyota&Model=4Runner&Year=2014&Submodel=&Filter=()&Location=power_train_chassis/transmission_case_oil_pan_atm,,35106B

And for the automatic transmission fluid, I used Amsoil 100% synthetic, fuel-efficient Signature Series.
https://www.amsoil.com/p/signature-se...

I hope this video help you in your Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects. You are going to save a lot of money, and when I say a lot of money, it's really a LOT OF MONEY. So, why don't you have your hands get dirty. Do your own car repairs and maintenance yourself.


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