Thread: 300 tdi Automatic gearbox service, tips

Ok just serviced my 300 tdi auto defender. Information on various sites indicate its a big job which requires removal of the cross member to get the bolt behind the mount. I did it in under an hour without removal of cross member. So for your info. Tools required, 19mm socket or ring, 17mm socket or ring spanner. 10mm socket and extension for auto sump.

First drain Auto transmission sump. ( I left mine over night )

Remove lower trans mount bolt on left hand side with 17 mm.

Remove 4 x 19 mm trans mount bolts.

The exhaust pipe can be removed for ease of access but I left mine in place.

With a little love slide mount sideways to access left hand sump mount. remove sump, replace filter, clean sump, replace and tighten. The locking tabs / brackets for sump have four corner and two flat brackets .

Slide mount back into alignment. Do not tighten till all bolts started this allows a bit of movement. Fit the two top bolts and then 2 bottom bolts.
Tighten , fit lower bolt back on and refill. I used a graduated bucket and refilled the auto with the amount I removed. Will give it a week and drain and fill again to assist in flushing out torque convertor.

Just my 2 cents worth for anyone doing services. Whether its transmission, gearbox or transfer.
Before you undo the drain plug, loosen the fill plug 1st. Doing this makes it certain that you will be able to refill the fluids that you drain.
There have been incidences where some one prior might have over tightened the fill pug, stripped it or rounded the plug ( like on the torx on a R380 fill plug.) If you drain the oil first then your stuffed until you repair them, could make a difference of being able to drive and not t.