Greetings from Kentucky! Tonight I decided to change the fluid and filter in my 99 XJ sport Daily Driver. All went well until the very end when I was tightenig up the trans pan bolts. All but one snugged up, and the very last one would tighten until the head was touching the pan, and then free spin. I think the trans threads are stripped, as the bolt looks fine.

My question to you is this: If the pan doesn't leak, should I even worry with rethreading? I drove it some this evening to try and get it to leak, but it is still dry. Also, IF I end up having to rethread, should I remove the pan or can I simply rethread through the bolt hole in the pan? The trans internals are sealed off by the gasket, so no metal shavings should be able to get inside, right? What would you folks do?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

The right way, is to pull the pan, heli-coil the hole and be done, but if you decide to leave it, I'd definitely keep an eye on it. You'd probably be fine lettin sleepin dogs lie, but thats a big dog with big teeth($$$$$) if it wakes up

 

well said, i like the analogy. If it doesn't leak, don't stress about it, but make plans to take care of it in case it does start leaking.

 

+3. One bad bolt out of all of them shouldn't be any issue.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I just "fixed" it, using a 1/4 self threading bolt. It snugged up good and tight so, for now at least, its fixed. Simple and quick. Thanks again.