DIY: T-56 Manual Transmission Fluid Change

Discussion in 'How-To/Tech Database' started by Kevan, Jan 30, 2008.

  1. Kevan

    Kevan SRT-10 Owner

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    T-56 MANUAL TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE PROCEDURE

    Make sure the vehicle is level and allowing the lubricant to settle for a minute before checking. This will ensure an accurate check and avoid an underfill or overfill condition.

    HARD SHIFTING
    Hard shifting is usually caused by low lubricant level, improper or contaminated lubricants. This will cause noise, excessive wear, internal bind, and hard shifting. Substantial lubricant leaks can result in gear, shift rail, synchro, and bearing damage. The first indications of component damage is usually hard shifting and noise.

    Shift component damage, clutch adjustment, worn pressure plate or disc are also causes of increased shift effort. If clutch problem is advanced, gear clash during shifts can result. Worn or damaged synchro rings can cause gear clash when shifting into any forward gear. In some new or rebuilt transmissions, new synchro rings may tend to stick slightly causing hard or noisy shifts. In most cases, this condition will decline as the rings wear-in.

    TRANSMISSION NOISE
    Most manual transmissions make some noise during normal operation. Rotating gears generate a mild whine that is audible, but generally only at extreme speeds.
    Severe, highly audible transmission noise is generally the initial indicator of a lubricant problem. Insufficient, improper or contaminated lubricant will promote rapid wear of gears, synchros, shift rails, forks and bearings. The overheating caused by a lubricant problem, can also lead to gear and bearing damage.

    STANDARD PROCEDURE - DRAIN AND FILL
    • (1) Raise and support vehicle.
    • (2) Remove drain plug (Fig. 2) on transmission tail housing and drain fluid.
    • (3) Install drain plug.
    • (4) Remove transmission fill plug on left side of the transmission case.
    • (5) Fill transmission with Mopar Synthetic Manual Trans Lubricant 75W-85 (Part # ????????). The transmission is full when the fluid level is even with the bottom of the fill hole.
    • (6) Install transmission fill plug.

    DO NOT use Red Line D4 ATF on pre-2000 transmissions!
    DO NOT use Royal Purple ATF on pre-2000 transmissions!
    They will eat the blocker rings inside the transmission (as per T56rebuilds.com).

    Mobil 1 ATF is a suitable option (as per T56rebuilds.com).

    REMEMBER: Using anything other than the OEM recommendation will probably void your warranty. Check with your local 5-star tech before changing it to the Mobil1 or any other fluid.

    OEM Recommended T-56 Transmission Fluids:
    • Mopar 75W-85W Manual Transmission Fluid (p/n#4874459)
    • Castrol Syntorq LT Manual Transmission Fluid

    Optional T-56 Transmission Fluids:
    WARNING: USE OF THE FOLLOWING MAY VOID YOUR TRANSMISSIONS WARRANTY!
    • Mobil 1 ATF
    • Syncromesh (Pennzoil, Valvoline, others)
    • GM Synchromesh (p/n#12345349)
    • Red Line ATF D4
    • Honda ATF-Z1
    • Royal Purple Synchromax
    • Amsoil ATF
    • O’Reilly Dexron III ATF

    -If it's not in this list, don't use it.

    -If you have a 1998 thru 2000 T-56 transmission, you should NOT use synthetic transmission fluid. Damage to paper blocker rings can occur.


    (If you have products, fluid weights, or part numbers to add, please post them so we can get this list updated and complete and then pasted into the first post. Thanks everyone!)
     
  2. 500snakz

    500snakz New Member

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    How much fluid to refill?
     
  3. 1bad4dr

    1bad4dr Mr. Meany

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    lmao Great catch.

    I can't believe Kevan did not include minimum fluid requirements.
     
  4. Kevan

    Kevan SRT-10 Owner

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    In the SM, it says:

    "2.27L (4.8pts)"
    Since tranny fluid doesn't come in pints (man, that sounds bad....), I did the conversion to quarts (2.40 qts), but just didn't add it to the original post.

    I had hoped all the spiffy formatting and info about paper/kevlar blocking rings would have made up for that. LOL

    TIP: Get 3 qts. You'll probably need it.
     
  5. 1bad4dr

    1bad4dr Mr. Meany

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    lol Not often I get to give you a hard time Kev. hehehe
     
  6. 500snakz

    500snakz New Member

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    Thanks guys. It makes it easier to get the right amount of fluid before you start. This is such a great place for info.
     
  7. TNCHARGER

    TNCHARGER Moderator

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    You heard it here..at the connection..