Took my H2 to the dealer for a new Radiator install. While there since they had to break the tranny cooling lines lose and the oil cooler lines lose I figured I'd have them do a tranny service and flush and refill With New Tranny Fluid. There's 72 K on the clock and it was serviced @ 50 K. So I was told by the Mechanic that day that GM does not recommend changing the filter out anymore. So I said ok.

So I have a Bud That works for GM and he's in the know with Service and Warranty Authorization and has access to GM Service Bulletins. He called BS on the not changing filter and sent me the procedure in "PDF" format. There is a new seal that comes with the filter that is inside the upper body of the tranny that has to be removed and the new seal installed which requires two special tools Some guys just use a socket to drive the seal in. Anyway..the trick is getting the old one out.

At 50K they did not change the filter either...they just flush the system with new fluid. Looked at my old receipt. My Bud said that most dealer techs don't want to drop the tranny pan because the exhaust is in the way and the PDF calls for disconnecting the Catalytic Converter as it's in the way. Youtube shows a guy removing the heat shields bolted to each side of the tranny and prying a bracket out of the way to pop the pan. He also never changed out the seal that the tube pushes into.

So Now My fluid is perfectly clean and clear so I'll wait to 100K to have the filter changed. Problem is... I don't trust the dealers anymore and you can forget about any of those chain Tranny shops. Now I have to find a Place I can trust.

So What's your Experience with having your filter and seal changed out?

 

I do it myself, I do think that a flush prior to a filter change is a good idea.

If I didn't do it myself I would find a local trans shop that people trust and get them to do it.

What is the world coming to when you cannot convince the dealer to do what you want?

Its easier for them to connect it to a machine and flush instead of pulling the pan but still charge the same money.

Neal,

 

Problem was I trusted this dealer and had the H2 in there for years and they always did me right, So at the 50 K mark when I asked for a 50K tranny service I just paid the invoice and the guy that works on it all the time said all done your good to go. The filter thing came up when I was told by the other hummer meck that No filter is needed according to GM @ 72K. My original guy had retired. So I swallowed that Hook line and sinker. My Bad.
So did you drop any part of the exhaust or did you just wrangle the pan out?

What did you have to disconnect to get it out?

Also ..did you change the seal up in the tranny?

I will be looking for a Shop that can do it.

 

a 2009 may be different, so worth checking capacities etc.

 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Filter p/u tube needs to be sealed TIGHT! Easy to remove:

Peel & Pull!

Many YT videos show removal, look here (start at 3:00)

 

Thank Guys for the Video's.. I saw a few on Youtube... One showed not removing the collector's and dropping the pipes down... That guy removed the heat shield's on either side of the tranny. Then he pried the shift bracket away as shown in the video and dropped the pan. Anyway... I'm not doing this myself. I need to find someone near me who knows how to do this.

I'm in South Joisey near Atlantic city. So I guess I'll have to hunt up someone who can do the job right. Thanks for the replies.

 

Properly performed transmission flush, doesn't completely clean the filter & pan. Drop/clean the pan & replace the filter for longevity!

 

That's the way I roll.... But these clowns faked me out. It's my fault. I had to much trust since I have been going there since 2007 when I bought my H3 there. My H2 Came from a Florida Dealer as it was the last of it's kind left in the USA. It was serviced at my dealer since 2009 Brand new. The new tech told me not to worry as the filter is just paper and GM doesn't require changing it any more. I could kick my self now for not questioning that. Everything else on the H2 has been done .... all fluids and rotating tires Etc. The tranny was the last thing. So now I'll try and find a place and have them drain the new fluid and hold it and pop in the new seal and filter an refill with what came out. The fluid is nice and clean.

Thanks Again for posting the Videos. I to spent time on there looking at servicing the tranny.

 

Yes, I pulled the motor and did some upgrades and while I had the motor out I pulled the tranny pan and did some maintenance on it. I pulled the factory exhaust and replaced everything with a custom built exhaust. I would think with the 6L80 and the way the pan is extended just about all the way to the cross member it would be very hard to get the pan off without removing the exhaust. I have a lift, tranny jack and everything needed to do this work so its a little easier for me to do it then most. I own a lift and most tools needed to do it because I don't trust most shops to do it correctly and i like working on my own vehicles with my boys.

I did pull the old seal and replaced it with the new one that came with the new filter.

The 08's and 09's have the 6L80 a good bit bigger then the 4L's

The filter seal is a good bit up in the trans and a challenge to get to when they get stuck in the trans.

Neal

 

Hey Neal,
Thanks for the reply. Yeah ...if I had a Lift I'd do it myself. Like you I don't trust these guys or any tranny shop. I do all my own work on my 65 Vette with a 502 BB. I been wrenching for years. I was with the Combat Engineers in Vietnam and worked on Heavy Equipment of all kinds. Did my Frame off resto on my Vette so I'm familiar with wrenching. Never did a Service on an Auto tranny though. Yah gotta have a lift. I only have a one car garage and the H2 lives out side. I also have detached garage next to the house but the H2 won't fit...L.O.L.

As far as the filter goes ... the way I have seen it done in several YT videos is to use a Fine pointed punch and ding the edge of the steel ring in without damaging the housing and then get yah a pair of needle nose plyers and pull it out. I even have the special GM tools to insert it. I got a few Mechanics I know that I might be able to have do the job. I'll make some calls and see what Happens... Or I'll drive out to your place and we can do some beers and wrench on my H2 ...L.O.L Wher do you live....LMAO.