Can transmission pan filter torx screw leak

Tiny
CASMIHOK
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 JEEP LIBERTY
  • 3.7L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 1,630,000 MILES
I was attempting to change my gasket and trans pan filter. I got as far as cracking one torx screw but the second one won't budge. I tried to be very careful but I did mess it up, I figured at that point I already messed it up let me hail Mary and I tried to hammer a little bit larger bit into the screw. I was able to hammer it in and it stayed but then when I put on my screwdriver or ratchet it also turned and just continue to mess up the torx screw.
I'm posting a video of the screw because I'm worried that I hammered so deep it might leak through that whole but I don't know if that's even possible. I imagine the physics of the screw is that it's solid all the way through so you can Hammer deep and you wouldn't make any holes because there's going to be metal in the way regardless. However I'm just a kid and I barely know anything, it almost looks like there is a small hole but I can't tell if it's my eyes playing tricks on me. So I wanted to ask you guys for clarification.

As far as changing the filter, my dad and my brother said I shouldn't worry about changing it. My fluid was a good color, still red. I did have a good bit of gray sludge, nothing crazy but definitely a little bit on the bottom of my pan. I also had a few tiny bits of metal but nothing crazy, it was better than I expected.

not only am I perfectionist but I wanted to change the filter to see if it would help with the slight gear slip I have, but at this point in time I need to travel 13 hours either tomorrow or the next day so I just have to get out of here. I don't have time to drill it out, so as long as you can clarify that it's physically impossible for it to leak through the hole I just hammered - I'm just going to reassemble it with the new gasket, cleaned very well - put in my new fluid and run through my gears.

I appreciate the clarification, have a great night.
Saturday, January 25th, 2020 AT 4:21 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
See my answer from 2011 (last one) in this post as far as removal of a "hard to turn" torx.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/2008-saturn-outlook-remove-rr-brake-rotor-outlook-necessary-torx-retainer-same-o

Looking at your video, it looks as though that you might be able to grab the shoulder of the bolt with just a pair of vise-grip pliers and turn it. Even if it might be only an 1/8th of a turn at a time until it will screw out easily.

Replace the bolt. "Fastenal" may have something to replace it, it may be a hex bolt.

The Medic
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Saturday, January 25th, 2020 AT 4:38 PM
Tiny
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Okay, I will try it, but hypothetically speaking; is that an actual hole? And could fluid leak through that screw if I left it?
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Saturday, January 25th, 2020 AT 5:18 PM
Tiny
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Here's some picture now that I cleaned out the metal from the inside of it. Looks flat to me, what do you think? Would it be okay to leave for now?
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Saturday, January 25th, 2020 AT 8:47 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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Is that fastener part of the pan or is it all by itself? Your pictures are so close in to tell.

The Medic
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Sunday, January 26th, 2020 AT 8:01 AM

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