tranny line disconnect

[coolzzy]

Hi, I need some help. My return line on my 05 GT is dripping trans fluid. Previous owner hit something, put a big dent in the front subframe cross member, cracked the engine oil pan (had it welded back up last week) and must have nocked the cooler return line too. I'm assuming it cracked the Oring in there or something and I just need to replace it and not the entire line. Trouble is I'm not sure how to remove the line from the transmission. The dealer says there is a threaded stud that the line connects to, it looks like I could put a wrench on it and unscrew it but there is some sort of metal spring clip in the nut and I don't wanna damage anything by plunging in unprepared. Can anyone shine some light on this for me? Do I need a special disconnect tool before I unscrew the nut or amd I way off base here? Please let me know, thanks!

2005 Grand Prix GT, 105k miles

[Airjer_]

You can remove the metal clip with a pick. The line will pop out after the clip is removed and the fitting will screw off. The new fitting will have a new clip already on it. Save the old clip for future use! The do make a tool that unlocks the clip without removing it but I don't its worth purchasing for this situation.

[coolzzy]

got the fitting from the dealer today, less than $5. How much oil can I expect to come out of that fitting when I remove it, will it drain the tranny pan? I'm hoping its behind the pump seal or something so it doesn't all just pour out, though if it did it would be a great time to replace it with Dexron VI. I picked up two bottles of Dex VI, hope its enough for what leaks out or I'll be walking to the store :o)

[Airjer_]

Maybe a quarter of a quart at the most. Most of it will be draining out of the cooler.

[wafrederick]

There is any easy way to remove it instead of picking the clip out.There is a special release tool to remove the lines and I have a set using the 3/8 release tool.You seat the tool in and rotate it pulling the line out.Any parts store will sell the special release tool as a set.Any Mac,Snap On,Cornwell and Matco dealer sell them too.It is not cheap,I paid $28.00 for the 3/8 release tool from the Cornwell dealer that used to come around I bought from

[coolzzy]

thanks for the info, didn't feel like spending the money on the tool so i just used a pick to remove the clip. came out pretty easily and installed new fitting with new clip. No more leak! my only concern is the OEM replacement part from the dealer seems to be made of aluminum and is not as long on the threaded shaft part. The original one was longer and made of steel. Both were of the same dimensions and had the appropriate orings installed though. Just worries me threading an aluminum fitting into steel but I guess they wouldn't sell the replacement part at the dealer if it wasn't going to work.

[tblake]

Originally Posted by coolzzy

....but I guess they wouldn't sell the replacement part at the dealer if it wasn't going to work.

Are you sure about that?

[Airjer_]

Originally Posted by coolzzy

Just worries me threading an aluminum fitting into steel but I guess they wouldn't sell the replacement part at the dealer if it wasn't going to work.

Um, most of your car is designed to stop working between 40 and 100k!