How do you get the bolts off of the Trans. pan towards the front of the Rx. I am getting ready to take it off but it looks like a part of the frame of the vehicle is blocking the front bolts. Can you get them off at an angle?

 

Yes, just use an extension, or better yet use a 1/4inch drive setup with extension....

 

Thanks, that seems to be the only way.

 

It is, I have had to do the same thing.

 

I did the filter replacement and drained transaxle. It had a paper filter in it so i replaced it with the same. The kit came with an all rubber gasket. I don`t have a torque wrench so i had to guess at the pan bolts. i hope i did not overtighten them. I cleaned the 3 magnets on the pan but i am curious as to how they stay in position. They don`t stick very well. I tried both sides to see if there was a neg., pos. side to see if it would stick better? Seems like the oil flow could knock them loose. I put 5 q. of Mobil 1 ATF full syn. New revised formula for multi-vehicle. I did a test run of about 15 miles and then checked for leaks. Shows ok. At engine running and hot the stick shows the level at the top mark. at rest after about 15 min. the level is higher on the stick ,about a half and inch from the top mark. Is this ok? What will happen if it is to high on the stick? I have to admit it was not to easy laying on the ground getting the pan off. There was blue locktite on the screws which made them hard to get out. I will run it for about 2 months and do just a drain and fill. I am at 81,000 miles and this was my 2nd service only.2001 model,Org. transmission,2 wd. The old oil did not look too bad. Thanks

 

5 qts is too much, You might want to remove drain plug carefully and drop a little out and then screw plug back in. AWD should only take 4.2 qts, and FWD around 3.9 qts. As for the rubber gasket, tell me how it works for you, I got one for my ford Windstar and it leaked like a seive. The Lexus/toyota gasket is cork/rubber......

 

I just checked it. It has been sitting a couple hours.It is a little above the hot mark. what could happen if i have too much? does the trans axle hold about a quart? Maybe i can just drain that to get a quart out? Thanks

 

You can get a cheap siphon/suction pump with long thin tube to suck out some fluid from dip-stick. [I have not done so myself, but should be doable ... just do not make any extension of the tube (in case the lower half gets stuck in the tube).]

Salim

 

True enough. That tubing could be had at any hardware store. The dipstick pokes through in the lower left corner through the small circle. The pumps they actually sell cheaply (under $5 USD from my memory) at any auto parts store.

 

I have one for my inboard Mercruiser. It hooks to the battery. thanks guys, good idea

 

I get 5 qts when I do a drain/refill on my wife's AWD. That is from both sumps though, not just the pan.

 

Please note the proper level is measured when the engine is running and in Park, after you have shifted the gear lever through the gears and come back to Park. When cold mine usually measures at the lower end of the filled mark.....

 

Thomas, are you saying to correct way to check is at initial start at cold, shift to drive, then reverse ,and then check it right away with the engine running before it heats up?

 

I only get 4.25 out of my AWD.

 

is that the transfer case too?