Can't Remove 99 I30 Transmission Filter/Strainer

[loystock]

Hi: I did a pan drop this morning on my wife's 1999 I30 to remove the transmission filter/strainer and clean the magnet. I have removed all of the bolts (7x2.5", 2x1.5" & 2x 0.5") on the strainer, except for one, which is not a bolt but rather is a combination of a nut and a threaded screw. I used a spotlight and even took digital pictures to confirm it. I'll try to attacht the picture in this post. Does anybody know how to remove this nut-screw combination? I just can't understand why Infiniti could have such part in there. Background info: The car has 42,000 miles in it. I did a drain and fill of the transmission last week using Nissan Matic D fluid. The car is still under warrantly so I'm required to used the Nissan Matic D fluid. I bought all of the parts from InfinitiPartsUSA of Scottsdale, AZ (except the fluid which they can't ship) - drain gasket, pan gasket and filter. I added LubeGard Automatic Transmission Flush to the ATF and drove the car for > 5 minutes before draining the fluid and dropping the pan. The fluid looks very good and the internal components are like new. I have another 97 I30 and a 97 Q45 which I intend to do pan drop and filter replacement in the weeks ahead. All cars were serviced in the Infiniti dealership previously. Your help will surely be appreciated. The car is needed by Monday morning so if I can't remove the filter, I'll just re-install everthing tomorrow afternoon and add LubeGard ATF (Red) Protectant to the ATF. I also did a similar post at YahooInfinitiCarClub.

Thanks,Rod

[IvoryJ30t]

you cant just wrench it off?

[loystock]

Decided to include a red arrow with the picture. And no, I can't just wrench it off because it just keeps on turning, nothing more.

[IvoryJ30t]

what is it, 10mm? if so you might have to use a 10mm wrench while holding the stud with a screwdriver.

[NY94J30]

How about a pair or vice grips to hold the very end of the bolt and a box end wrench to loosen the nut? Should be good once you get it loosened, I'd think.

[Q451990]

Something doesn't sound right here! Do you have the FSM (Factory service manual)? If not, I'd download it at http://www.infiniti-techinfo.com ($20) as a .pdf file and check up on this before you break something.

I'd also check with someone familiar with the I30/Maxima transmission before you go in there with vice grips and screwdrivers... Might also check over on the forums at http://www.maxima.org.

Heath

[loystock]

Heath: I was able to download the 99 I30 Service Manual but I can't find info about removal of the transmission filter/strainer. If I still can't remove the filter, I'll just re-install everything back. BTW, the "infiniti-techinfo.com" site is one of the least user friendly site I've ever used and it's slow (I have DSL).

Rod

[Q451990]

[quote=" loystock [BBTW, the "infiniti-techinfo.com" site is one of the least user friendly site I've ever used and it's slow (I have DSL).[/quote]

I agree... I think the site was designed more for dealerships that have a continuous subscription and just pull up whatever page they need. I spent about 15-18 hours downloading as much as possible in my one day subscription.

Heath

[loystock]

I was not able to replace the strainer. I tried to use a vise grip (latex glove wrapped around the thread to protect it), 10mm open end wrench and even WD-40, but with the stud protrusion of @ 1/4", there's not much room to work. To ensure the filter is Ok, I used cleanroom wipes to clean as much as I could. The filter looks Ok (compared to a new one). I filled up the transmission and added LubeGard (Red) protectant. The transmission is shifting very smoothly.

Thanks for your help.Rod

[loystock]

Worked on my son’s 97 I30 yesterday. The pan drop and filter change went smoothly. To pre-empt any problem with the stud, I sprayed WD-40 before loosening the nut. I also inspected the undercarriage and sprayed silicon lubricants to the rubber hangers and bushing while waiting for the transmission fluid to drain. Then cleaned the throttle plate and body . Test drove the car and it ran smooth as silk.

With so much time remaining, I did a pan drop and filter change on my 97Q. Replacing the filter in the Q is a breeze, with only 4 bolts to deal with (unlike the I30 with numerous bolts with 3 different lengths plus the stud)). However, removing/re-installing the oil pan is not that easy due to metal tube restricting access to the front pan bolts. I used a big screw driver to get the tube out of the way. I’m glad I got a complete kit from Scottsdale Infiniti – filter, gasket, pan bolts and drain plug gasket. As before, I used LubeGard Automatic Transmission Flush prior to pan drop then added LubeGard Red ATF Protectant during the fill.

[VA99Q45]

Quote »metal tube restricting access to the front pan bolts[/quote]

I had a tough time removing the screws under that metal tube also. Unlike you, I was not brave enough to try to move that metal tube out of the way. I end up spent around 45 minutes to remove those screws.

BTW, what is the metal tube for?