HELP stripped the threads from the transmission drain pan

[Steve Gutman]

My friend stripped the threads from the transmission drain pan on his 1993 BMW 525i. I actually think it’s a GM transmission. Nonetheless, what is the best easy repair? Can JB Weld for Aluminum be used? Can he just tap it to the next larger size? It only takes 9 ft/lbs of torque. I don’t think there is a lot of room to helicoil. Any suggestions would be most greatly appreciated.

[Mike Murrell]

If it were my vehicle, I'd pull the pan and take it to a good machine shop and let them make the repair. I would envision them simply over-sizing the hole and installing a new drain plug to fit the new hole.

It's my understanding that BMW used a GM 4L-30 unit in some of their cars. This may be what he has and they ain't cheap, not that any of them are.

If you go this route, be sure to thoroughly clean the inside of the pan to ensure any metallic debris stirred up from the surgery is removed.

My 2 cents.

[manny]

Mike

It sounds like the threads are stripped on the transmission body, not the drainplug.
If so, I would helicoil them.

[Mike Murrell]

Manny:

I thought he said transmission drain pan as in the drain plug? Maybe I misunderstood?

[Steve Gutman]

Sorry for the lack of description. THe bolt that holds the pan must have pulled out the threads, which I assume are in the transmission housing. On the Benz it is the housing, right? When I changed mine on my SL I recall that there was little room on the bosses. Please advise, if you can...

[Mike Murrell]

Steve:

I have a '95 Rodeo equipped with a GM 4L-30 transmission. Have had that pan off many times and if the threads in the body(not the drain plug) are the issue, Manny may have your answer.

The unit I'm speaking of is shown at the following URL. If his looks like this, be sure to drain BOTH pans - part 1 and part 73.

http://www.slhondaparts.com/browse.asp?Model=PASSPORT&Year=1995&TrimLevel=4DR+LX+4X2+V6&TransLevel=4ATKA&Section=C&Category=ATM04++%7CAT++++++TRANSMISSION+OIL+PAN%2D+OIL+CONTROL&Doors=4&Emissions=KA&PartCatalogId=50691+&ViewParts=true