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Thread: Changing manual transmission fluid

  1. #1
    Mitsu booster
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    Changing manual transmission fluid

    How I drain and refill manual transmission fluid on my 1986 Dodge Daytona.

  2. #2
    Rhymes with tortoise. Turbo Mopar Staff cordes's Avatar
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    Re: Changing manual transmission fluid

    Welcome to the site!

    You'll need to pull one of the axles and let the fluid drain out. Then you have a couple of options. There is a fill hole on the diver's side end cover. You can either unscrew the plug with a pair of channel locks if it's the large metal plug style, or pull it out if it's the rubber plug style. Some people will use a funnel to fill it through that hole, and some remove the reverse switch on the top of the trans and fill through there. I think it's easiest to use a funnel on the side.

    Although you're only supposed to fill it until oil starts running out of the fill hole, many people jack the car up a bit on the driver's side to get a little extra oil in there.

  3. #3
    turbo addict
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    Re: Changing manual transmission fluid

    the square on the end of a 3/8's socket extension should fit the hex in the fill plug

    a piece of hose that will fit into the hole , stuck on a funnel is the best fill "tool"

    usually full isn't going to be "full" on the first try as the design of the case creates something of a dam between the transmission and differential parts of the case - so when filling you could reach the fill hole but still not have enough in the diff to be really full

    to get past this fill to the hole with the car level then jack it up in the front so the oil can flow over the "dam" then put car back on the ground , check level refill as needed

    then for good measure drive it around the block and recheck it once again

    I've had the same funnel & hose just for this job in the top of my toolbox for 30 years
    keep it you'll need it again sometime

  4. #4
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor 2.216VTurbo's Avatar
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    Re: Changing manual transmission fluid

    I can't help thinking that the helpful suggestions here by members to use the side fill plug are guys thst hsvdnt viole from.the reverse light switch. Sooo much easier IMO. Pouring strait down while standing, trans style funnel with the long snout stays in place, no holding the hose etc. Just sayin when I learned about the switch a few years back, it revolutionized changing my trans fluid

    AJ (no More Alan) 84 Rampage RT TIII/568 Quaife 87 GLHS dealer optioned Red 16V Masi/568/Quaife
    90 Masi 16V White/Ginger/Black
    89 TC Masi 16V Red/Ginger/Black
    86 GLHS #110 RoadRace Built 89 CSX-VNT Recaro Car
    89 Turbo Mini 'Woody' 85 GLHT 'RedBox'
    2014 Explorer DD'r 3.5Twin Turbo Ecoboost AWD and 500HP
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  5. #5
    Super Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff 135sohc's Avatar
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    Re: Changing manual transmission fluid

    Reverse light fill FTW ! Pull the plug from the side, dump new oil in from the top until it runs out the side. Reinstall plug and dump a little more in... done.
    1994 Shadow Sedan. 2.2 N/A, A568 400,000 miles. "the science experiment"
    1987 Shelby CSX #418. Long term rebuild and restore ?

  6. #6
    Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff Force Fed Mopar's Avatar
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    Re: Changing manual transmission fluid

    I find it pretty quick to just turn the wheel and pour through the fill plug with a funnel. No socket or wrench needed. Fill plug is nice if you are in there and have air box or whatever out of the way though.
    Rob M.
    '89 Turbo GTC

    2.5 TIII stroker, 568 w/ OBX and 3.77 FD

  7. #7
    Mitsu booster
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    Re: Changing manual transmission fluid

    On my 02 Neon, I jack it up with the driver wheel off and fill with a transmission funnel. I use Pennzoil or Valvoline MTF and get a little extra in the case. On the Spirit, I just turn the wheel.

  8. #8
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor jonnymopar's Avatar
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    Re: Changing manual transmission fluid

    Quote Originally Posted by cordes View Post
    I think it's easiest to use a funnel on the side.

    Quote Originally Posted by Force Fed Mopar View Post
    I find it pretty quick to just turn the wheel and pour through the fill plug with a funnel.
    Quote Originally Posted by MaineMopar View Post
    On the Spirit, I just turn the wheel.
    +1 for me. I found a skinny funnel that I can jam between the tire and the fender. Then I extended it with some clear Tygon.

    I do however use the reverse light switch trick on my Neon.

    Did anyone ever figure out why Chrysler never drilled/tapped the drain plugs? That round boss is obviously there for that reason.
    Jon J.

    1989 Daytona ES 2.4L DOHC
    2003 Neon SXT - gone but never forgotten

    If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is!

  9. #9
    Mitsu booster
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    Re: Changing manual transmission fluid

    I'm positive that my A568 has a drain plug. I think it was added by FWDp

  10. #10
    turbo addict
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    Re: Changing manual transmission fluid

    Did anyone ever figure out why Chrysler never drilled/tapped the drain plugs? That round boss is obviously there for that reason.

    guessing it's not because of the 5 cent plug but probably the "fixture" and added process of drilling & taping the hole for the plug

    that and the trans isn't required to last longer than the warranty period so no need to ever drain the fluid

  11. #11
    Supporting Member II Turbo Mopar Contributor DOHCRT's Avatar
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    Re: Changing manual transmission fluid

    Pretty sure that hole is part of the trans handling fixture used to move these around the plant prior to installation.


    Vic in Phoenix
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    91 Spirit R/T x4
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  12. #12
    Mitsu booster
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    Re: Changing manual transmission fluid

    I spoke with my dad. He had that drilled and plugged because it's a PITA to pull an axle vs a plug. He used heavy gear oil for a while before I suggested manual trans fluid.

  13. #13
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor 2.216VTurbo's Avatar
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    Re: Changing manual transmission fluid

    Quote Originally Posted by MaineMopar View Post
    I spoke with my dad. He had that drilled and plugged because it's a PITA to pull an axle vs a plug. He used heavy gear oil for a while before I suggested manual trans fluid.
    Both of those fluids are pretty heavy for the gearsets in our 525/555/523/568 families, won't hurt it but increases the shift effort/smoothness. I think the collective has agreed that strait 30(my tans guy likes Penzoil ) weight motor oil is the way to go.

    AJ (no More Alan) 84 Rampage RT TIII/568 Quaife 87 GLHS dealer optioned Red 16V Masi/568/Quaife
    90 Masi 16V White/Ginger/Black
    89 TC Masi 16V Red/Ginger/Black
    86 GLHS #110 RoadRace Built 89 CSX-VNT Recaro Car
    89 Turbo Mini 'Woody' 85 GLHT 'RedBox'
    2014 Explorer DD'r 3.5Twin Turbo Ecoboost AWD and 500HP
    My profile page has over 20,000 views, I'm somebody LOL

  14. #14
    Mitsu booster
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    Re: Changing manual transmission fluid

    I never thought about using sae 30. The R/T has a super heavy clutch, heavier than a Hellcat, because he likes everything firm.

  15. #15
    turbo addict
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    Re: Changing manual transmission fluid

    heavy weight gear oil and cold weather makes for almost impossiable shifting .. had a buddy that thought he was going to "do it right "
    ended up coming back the next day to change the fluid .. took an hour and a half or so to warm up enough to drive the car in the middle of winter

    same guy who thought he would clean the barrel connectors on the power module plugs with my torch tip cleaner .. not knowing there is a tang inside the barrel that actually makes the contact with the pin on the module

    another night spent splicing on new pigtails

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