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[Entwood]

Having been watching / reading for the past few weeks, I have really learned a lot, to the extent that I am now about to commence some, probably overdue, work. My research in the forum, and comparing to the invoices I have for the past 5 years of garage servicing leads me to believe the following work needs doing.

1. ATF fluid/filter change
2. Brake fluid change
3. Coolant flush/change

I also know the front discs/pads need replacing (unofficial advisory on last MOT).

I have found "how to's" for the Brakes - both fluid and parts, and the coolant, but nothing on the ATF, although there are several unconnected posts with pointers.

The advice I need, if possible ......

1. Any special tools for any of these jobs ?? I have an old fashioned tool box (sockets/rings/open ended spanners of imperial and metric) and lack things like Torx spanners - what should I get/need ?

2. For the Brake fluid the how to mentions a g-clamp - what size ?

3. For the ATF fluid/filter change.. how much clearance is required ?? The job will be done on the drive with the car on axle stands as I don't have access to a ramp, can I get sufficient clearance to drop the sump this way ?

I have my TC from autobahnstormers, I'm hoping that my local stealers will be able to give me all the right parts if I go in armed with VIN, or should I try and get part numbers myself ?

Any other advice gratefully accepted ... I know I'm never too old to learn ... :)additional ser

[Markjay]

At the very least you will need a Torx set which will include both Torx sockets and Torxs male bits.

The g-clamps I used on the front pads are these:
http://www.drapertools.com/b2c/b2citmdsp.pgm?pp_skmno=52335

I also used:
http://www.drapertools.com/b2c/b2citmdsp.pgm?pp_skmno=37316

But this is much better:
http://www.gunson.co.uk/item.aspx?item=1818

ALWAYS go to the dealers armed with the Part Numbers... they bits they will come up with will rarely be the correct ones in spite of them having EPC. Just post the question here and someone will oblige.

As for ATF change, I didn't actually do it yet but I had a look under the car and it seems that you don't need too much clearance for the sumps to come off, as long as the car is high enough for you to get comfortably underneath it then this should be OK. But keep in mind that when topping-up you will eventually need to have the car level and the engine running, so you want to make sure that the axles stands are stable and you also don't want to spend too much time down there next to the exhaust fumes... in short get a helper, not something to be done alone at night in a locked garage after the family went to sleep...

[Markjay]

Ah, I forget the torque wrench... and actually you will need more than one to meet all the different torques.

And you will also need an 18mm socket if taking off the hub carrier... I mention this because this is slightly non-standard, the more common size is 17mm so some people don't bother with an 18mm socket. And socket, not ring spanner, because you will need to torque it up...

[Markjay]

...also:

[Entwood]

Thanks for that ... is this the sort of torx set I need ?? -

http://www.tool-catalogue.co.uk/tools.php/cPath/219_283/products_id/6974

My Torque wrench goes from 30 to 210 Nm .. is that sufficient range or do I need a smaller one as well ?

[Markjay]

You will need more sockets and bits, this does not cover all sizes...

I got these:
http://www.drapertools.com/b2c/b2citmdsp.pgm?pp_skmno=35381

And these:
http://www.drapertools.com/b2c/b2citmdsp.pgm?pp_skmno=12793

And a standard socket set:
http://www.drapertools.com/b2c/b2citmdsp.pgm?pp_skmno=69667

Check the torques you will need for the job, I don't remember them by heart but I am sure there are some sub-30NM torques...

[ians]

I have got this one which should cover your torx bit (both male and female) requirements.  There is a MM in Swindon.
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/pro151-29-pce-metric-socket-set

You can get the ATF sumps off on axle stands no problem.    You normally need the engine number rather than VIN for part number id.   Also worth a call before you go in to get your AB card set up - numerous people have had problems the first time they came to use it.

You'll need a low end torque wrench sooner or later (I think the sump bolts are 12Nm from memory and there are many others needing 8Nm on the alloy engine components).
I got one of these
http://www.pvrdirect.co.uk/productinfo.aspx?kw=STW1012%20&tier1=Sealey+Tools&tier2=Sealey+Premier+Hand+Tools&tier3=Mechanics+Tools&tier4=Torque+Wrenches&tier7=1&catref=STW1012

[Entwood]

Thanks for that ... Torx set and low range torque wrench ordered  

Another, probably daft question ....  the write ups on ATF change indicate that only 1/2 the fluid can be removed by dropping the sump, should the fluid change be repeated at a short intervals to get the new/old mix down further ? 2 changes = 75/25, 3 would be 87.5/12.5, or is 50/50 acceptable ?

 :-/

[ians]

I'm a rookie at this too but you have a good point.   The recommendation I have seen, is to do the ATF change every 50k (bear in mind Vx don't specify changing it at all).

Also note there are two sumps.  The small one gets another 1/2 litre or so out.

[Markjay]

Thanks for that ... Torx set and low range torque wrench ordered  

Another, probably daft question ....  the write ups on ATF change indicate that only 1/2 the fluid can be removed by dropping the sump, should the fluid change be repeated at a short intervals to get the new/old mix down further ? 2 changes = 75/25, 3 would be 87.5/12.5, or is 50/50 acceptable ?

 :-/

50-50 is acceptable. The process of removing the entire 9.5L is extremely complicated and involves beeding the ATF out of the torque converter through the transmission radiator pipes (the autobox transmission radiator is to the left if the engine cooling radiator as you stand in front of the car).

Vx say the box is 'sealed for life' and the ATF need only be changed every 60-70k if the car is used as taxi or for towing, but even then the procedure they specify is 'short' drain i.e. only the two sumps drain and not the full torque-converter drain. So I guess that we are just 'refreshing' the ATF rather than actually changing it...

You could change it repeatedly to dilute the old ATF, but no one actually does this and I think it is OTT - usually the 'short' drain is enough to restore the smooth operation of the autobox.

[Entwood]

Many thanks - all understood ... so far at least....  right.... beast is a 99 v reg 2.5 elite

For the ATF change I need :

2 x gaskets - 1 large, 1 small
1 x filter
5 ltrs Dexron III

For the coolant flush I need

Lots of water
5 ltrs Vx red antifreeze

For the brake fluid change I need

2 ltrs Dot 4 fluid
Wife in the mood to obey instructions

For the Front Discs/brakes change I need

(http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1171805208)

1 x Disc/brake set (I assume it comes as a set for both sides)
2 x wear sensors
copper grease

Have I missed anything ?? and can anyone assist with a check of part numbers for the brake/disc set ... from the TC site red book I think it is 93175466 and the wear sensors if needed - can't find much info on them anywhere.

The brakes stuff I believe Vx stuff is preferred ... what about the other bits ?? any cheaper options that still maintain quality ?

Sorry to be a pain but the learning curve is getting steep !!

[ians]

- I think you may need a little more than 5L Dx3.  I drained 5L out and spilt some as well...

- the filter is expensive at Vx (60 quid trade ).  There is an outfit that does the gaskets and filter for 38 quid.  Have a search through recent threads and you'll find it.  However I intend to clean my filter and reuse per other suiggestion on here .   The Vx trade price on Dex 3 is reasonable c 4.50 per litre

- wear sensor - If yours is facelift (99 could be either I think), you may only need the nearside sensor as only one was fitted.  Someone better familiar with facelift should confirm.

- disks /pads comes as a set from Vx - reasonable deal on TC.  They should get the right part number for you.
(although I once asked for a dis pack, and nearly ended up with some disks and pads!)

Cheers,

Ian

[Entwood]

Ta .. mine is mini-facelift I believe ...

[VX1]

Many thanks - all understood ... so far at least....  right.... beast is a 99 v reg 2.5 elite

For the ATF change I need :

2 x gaskets - 1 large, 1 small
1 x filter
5 ltrs Dexron III

For the coolant flush I need

Lots of water
5 ltrs Vx red antifreeze

For the brake fluid change I need

2 ltrs Dot 4 fluid
Wife in the mood to obey instructions

For the Front Discs/brakes change I need

(http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1171805208)

1 x Disc/brake set (I assume it comes as a set for both sides)
2 x wear sensors
copper grease

Have I missed anything ?? and can anyone assist with a check of part numbers for the brake/disc set ... from the TC site red book I think it is 93175466 and the wear sensors if needed - can't find much info on them anywhere.

The brakes stuff I believe Vx stuff is preferred ... what about the other bits ?? any cheaper options that still maintain quality ?

Sorry to be a pain but the learning curve is getting steep !!

Gearbox Gasket set  96041210
disc set  90392559
front pads 9192124
pad sensors 90495144
I think these are the VX part numbers off my disc so should be ok.

[Entwood]

many thanks ....  jpat     http://www.jpat.co.uk   are doing :

N209 27 01 VAUXHALL FILTER 44mm 4L30E/AR25 £17.95
N209 25 01 FRONT PAN GASKET £3.76
N209 25 02 REAR PAN GASKET £5.10

plus VAT & postage .. seems a good deal so I've ordered a set. Mr Haynes mentions renewing the washer on the fill plug, is this a standard item or special ?

TC are doing disc/pad set at £69.60. Mr Haynes implies that if the brake pad warning light has not come on, the sensor does not need replacing - any comments from the experts please ??

Lastly (for the moment !!) ...  what is recommended for degreasing the new discs ??

Sorry to be a pain... I think I'm nearly out of questions now.. but don't bank on it !

Regards and thanks ...     Entwood