Transmission side cover help!

[wrpfctr7]

Gonna change the pressure solenoid for my 97 GP and have removed everything needed to get to the side cover of the transmission, but now i'm stuck! Does anyone know what size are the four lower Torx bolts and what is the best way to remove them? I hav'nt lowered the cradle yet, but want to find out if I need to lower the cradle first, then remove those bolts or is it best to remove the bolts first, then the cradle? ANY help would be appreciated! Thanks!!!

[redlinepontiac]

lower and support cradle first

[BillBoost37]

I forget if you can get a straight shot at them before you lower. I think you need to lower first. Then I am guessing because I know it's the 2nd or third in my set.

check the bottom link (I can't view here) and see if it's in there.
http://www.grandprixforums.net/trans...nks-42428.html

[stuzman]

Gonna change the pressure solenoid for my 97 GP and have removed everything needed to get to the side cover of the transmission, but now i'm stuck! Does anyone know what size are the four lower Torx bolts and what is the best way to remove them? I hav'nt lowered the cradle yet, but want to find out if I need to lower the cradle first, then remove those bolts or is it best to remove the bolts first, then the cradle? ANY help would be appreciated! Thanks!!!

The lower four torx bolts are T-40 and you want to make sure that the splines on the torx fitting are excellent. If they are twisted, don't use the torx fitting as it will probably strip the head of the bolt. I always used a new one when breaking these bolts or any torx bolt.

Terry

[BillBoost37]

There's Terry again.

One trick I do use is to put the torx bit in them and give each of the four a good tap with a hammer to try and break the steel to aluminum bond.

[stuzman]

There's Terry again.

One trick I do use is to put the torx bit in them and give each of the four a good tap with a hammer to try and break the steel to aluminum bond.

Yes Bill, that's a good point. I also do the same thing, but forgot to mention it.

[stuzman]

Gonna change the pressure solenoid for my 97 GP and have removed everything needed to get to the side cover of the transmission, but now i'm stuck! Does anyone know what size are the four lower Torx bolts and what is the best way to remove them? I hav'nt lowered the cradle yet, but want to find out if I need to lower the cradle first, then remove those bolts or is it best to remove the bolts first, then the cradle? ANY help would be appreciated! Thanks!!!

Oh, almost forgot. I believe the torx bolts are accessible before you drop the cradle, but you'll want to go ahead and lower the cradle and let the transmission and engine tilt to allow the cover to come off. I would take all the bolts out at that point.

Terry

[wrpfctr7]

Thanks for the help! Gonna get the T-40 Torx, then lower the cradle first.

[BillBoost37]

FWIW and I don't mean to be posting this a pieces. Get Craftsman torx bits. They'll always get rounded etc as you use them on this kind of thing. Then you simply zip over get your free replacement and it's all good.