Loose Trans Pan bolts

[JonJon68]

I had a pan drop and filter change several months ago by an ATRA reputable transmission shop. While I had my car on ramps to inspect the underside a few days ago, I noticed that several of my trans pan bolts, like around half of them were loose and leaking small amounts of fluid. While I was down there I tightened everything up to 10 ft/lbs and that took care of that. My question is why would these bolts loosen like this? Is there some kind of thread lock that should be used? I checked my tranny fluid and it's right on the full mark after the car was warmed up to operating temperature. Fortunately, I caught it in time. I'll keep checking them and if it happens again, I'll take the car back and have them look at it. Also, for any of the moderators, I accidently posted this thread in the "Tips And Maintenence Forum" and I can't delete from there. If you would please delete. Thanks.

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1997 GPGT 130,000 3.8 Dark Teal Metallic.
4 door sedan
No Mods

[BNaylor]

No problem Paul. The post at Tips has been deleted.

I've never had any problems with the pan bolts loosening on their own. Did the shop properly torque them? Did they use the old or a new pan gasket?

But it would not hurt to use low/med strength threadlocker on the bolts.

[CrazyHorst]

Should the gasket be the cheap "cork" gasket...it can relax under the bolt preload.

I've never had much faith in a cork trans gasket...I supplement with RTV and the appropriate cleaning "prework" when doing my own servicing.

[JonJon68]

When I purchased the car back in 04 it had the cheap cork gasket and I specifically had that replaced when they did a pan drop and refill. I'm assuming they didn't torque the bolts properly. Thanks for the help.