TO: All ATP Technicians
FROM: James Strong, Customer/Technical Service Mgr.
RE: Transmission Filter Lip Seals
Many automatic transmission filters require a seal when they are installed in the transmission assembly. These seals are commonly called “lip seals”. These lip seals are used on Chrysler, General Motors and Ford models.
If not installed correctly, the transmission assembly can be damaged.
When performing a transmission fluid and filter exchange, make sure the old filter's lip seal is removed from the transmission pump bore prior to installing the new filter and seal. At times, the old seal will come out of the bore when removing the filter. However, in most cases, the seal will tend to stay inside the pump bore when the filter is removed.
To remove the seal from the pump bore, a pair of hooked mechanic picks will be your best tool to remove the lip seal. By grasping the inner part of the seal with the picks, rock the seal left and right, back and forth to allow the seal to walk out of the bore. Take caution to not allow any scratches or burrs on the pump bore when doing this procedure.
When installing, the lip seal must be installed in the pump bore before the installation of the filter. To accomplish this installation, use a socket that is an appropriate size of the seal or a seal driver tool and drive the seal into the pump bore until the seal has fully seated. Install the filter into the lip seal by apply upward pressure and twisting motion. The use of transmission assembly lube is recommended since it is a tight fit. Do not hit the filter with any types of rubber mallets to install the filter. Most filters are of plastic constructions, breaking or cracking of the filter will result.
NEVER install the seal onto the filter's neck before the installation procedure of the filter. This will cause the filter to sit incorrectly onto the pump bore resulting of ingestion of air, and/or the filter falling off inside the pan.
All of the ATP-Inc filter kits that require a lip seal contain an important notice sheet regarding the installation of the lip seals (sample illustrated).
Remember! FAILURE TO INSTALL THE LIP SEAL FIRST INTO THE PUMP BORE WILL CAUSE COMPLETE TRANSMISSION DAMAGE.
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