[EastoftheRiver]

Hey TN Folks,


89 Camry LE wagon, 130,000 and getting ready to completely restore. I would like to chg. the regular trans oil to synthetic trans oil - do I simply drain the old oil or do I need to do a complete flush of the trans oil? What would be a great synthetic oil to use? Additionally, I need to replace one of the rear struts - is it a cartridge type or do I need to have the spring compressed like the front. I replace one of the rear several years back but can't recall the procedure. Finally, I would like to replace my tires 185/70/14 with 205/70/14, will these fit without spacers......until I get new 15 - 18 rims this spring with a fresh paint job....


Thks all

SouthEast Washington, DC
Capitol Hill - Trumpville - LOL

 

[white90dx]

It is generally suggested to just do successive rounds of drain-and-refills to change out the trans fluid. There is no need to hurry on this one. Just drain what is in the pan, replace, drive for a while (20 miles or 5000 miles, whatever) and do it again. When the fluid is red enough, go back to a normal 15-30k drain/refill schedule. Make sure you check fluid levels when the transmission is fully warm (10+ miles of driving) with the engine running, transmission in Park after running through all gears (P-R-N-D-2-1-2-D-N-R-P) while on a level surface.

Whether or not your rear struts are cartridge type doesn't affect whether you need a spring compressor. In all cases you need one to safely remove the top-had from the strut and put the spring back on the new strut. You can tell if you have cartridge type struts by looking at the top of the strut housing where the shaft comes out - a large nut (a couple visible threads) = serviceable, a welded section = non serviceable.

Not sure why you want to go with larger tires. Are they easier to get? Cheaper? Anyway... those tires will fit and generally not rub. They may hit the frame rail at full lock and the inner plastic fender liner in some cases.

-charlie

 

[66conv6]

Yeah, I just drain and refill the trans fluid every year or so. Not all of it comes out but over time there's a bigger percentage of fresh fluid in the auto trans. Don't need synthetic.

 

[EastoftheRiver]

Hey Charlie, I had a 87 Toyota Celica years back and once I placed 205 size tires on it - it was a completely different car. Washington, DC is notorious for having poor street and pot holes - esp. after a cold snowy winter - which we had last year; and man the streets are terrible. Currently, I have the small 185's and I may just put 195's on the 14" rims until I upgrade to 15" in the spring. Additionally, I noticed last week that my brake light came on during braking and that the fluid was low - once I added fluid - the light went out - today, I noticed the fluid level was lowing - should I chk the brake line and or caliber for leaks? I read on TN that synthetic trans oil would give a smoother shift - I just want to give this classic the best of the best. I have had at least 8 people trying the buy this 27yr old car since coming out of 3 year storage - Station Wagon are becoming popular again. I pull the plug from fuse box daily to prevent theft until I place an alarm on it in December.


Thks again TN Folks

 

[71Corolla]

Royal Purple ATF works great in these cars. Best practice is to drop the pan and clean it along with the magnets the filter you can either clean or replace. Assuming you have the 3S-FE your brake fluid leak is likely from the wheel cylinders.

 

[Chrisnone]

I recently had A Remanufactured transmission by ETC put in my 95 Toyota Camry with the 5sfe motor and the A140E Auto Transmission. Most rebuilders are supplying Synthetic Transmission Fluid for their Transmissions. It does lower the operating temperature by a few degrees. This is basically all they have to use as well. Yes I have A lot of Money in a car with 185,000 miles. If it is wreaked I'll just buy it off the Insurance Company. It was My Mother's last Car and My 17 Year old son is no longer with Me. He drove the Car as well. But hey I have several Automotive Degrees. Their is really nothing I can't do even if I would have to take two and build one. Is Synthetic a Improvment? Yes even in brakes. If your a frequent Oil Changer I don't know if I Would spring the Cost for Synthetic. I'll always keep it, Plus the design just makes since.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[mcx]

..I recommend switching to synthetic after you do a couple drain and refills...it shifts excellent on Castrol synthetic version....just remember, if you have some drips from torque convertor seal or cv axle seals, it will make it worse....also, remember the A140 has two seperate drains and refill plugs...one is for the valve body and the other for the differential...drain and refill both parts.

 

[heartdisease]

What benefit does synthetic transmission fluid offer?