Transmission Service

Service the Borg-Warner T56 6-speed manual transmission by draining and refilling with fresh fluid, and inspecting the drain plug condition.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Transmission drain plug gasket/washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission fill plug gasket/washer × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Mopar MS-9224 or 75W-90 GL-4 — 4.2 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake.
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels.
3. If vehicle was recently driven, allow transmission to cool for at least 30 minutes.
4. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated front jacking point.
5. Secure vehicle on jack stands placed under the frame rails.
6. Verify vehicle stability before working underneath.

Procedure

1. 1

   Locate transmission drain and fill plugs
   Position yourself under the vehicle near the transmission tunnel. The T56 transmission drain plug is located on the bottom of the transmission case toward the rear. The fill plug is located on the passenger side of the transmission case, approximately mid-body. Identify both plugs before proceeding. Both use a 1/2" square drive socket.
2. 2

   Clean drain plug area
   Use a wire brush and brake cleaner to remove debris and buildup around the drain plug. This prevents contamination from entering the transmission during service. Wipe clean with shop rags.
3. 3

   Break loose fill plug first
   Using a 1/2" square drive ratchet or breaker bar, carefully break loose the fill plug approximately 1/4 turn, then retighten it finger-tight. This verifies you can refill the transmission after draining. If the fill plug is seized or stripped, do not proceed with draining until it is freed.
   ⚠Always verify the fill plug can be removed before draining. If you drain the transmission and cannot remove the fill plug, the vehicle will be immobile.
4. 4

   Position drain pan and remove drain plug
   Position the drain pan directly under the transmission drain plug with adequate capacity for 4-5 quarts. Using the 1/2" square drive ratchet, slowly remove the drain plug. Allow fluid to drain completely; this may take 5-10 minutes. Inspect the drained fluid for metal particles or debris that would indicate internal wear.
5. 5

   Inspect and clean drain plug
   Examine the drain plug threads and magnetic tip for metal shavings. Some fine metallic dust is normal; large chunks or excessive material indicates internal wear. Clean the plug thoroughly with brake cleaner and a shop rag. Inspect the drain plug gasket/washer and replace if deformed, cracked, or hardened.
6. 6

   Clean drain hole and reinstall drain plug
   Wipe the drain hole area clean with a shop rag. Install a new drain plug gasket/washer onto the drain plug. Thread the drain plug in by hand to avoid cross-threading, then tighten to specification using a torque wrench.
   Torque spec

   Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove fill plug and prepare for filling
   Fully remove the fill plug using the 1/2" square drive ratchet. Clean the fill plug and threads with brake cleaner. Replace the fill plug gasket/washer with a new one. Insert the funnel with flexible extension into the fill hole.
8. 8

   Fill transmission with fluid
   Slowly pour 4.2 quarts of Mopar MS-9224 or 75W-90 GL-4 transmission fluid through the funnel. Fill until fluid begins to seep from the fill hole, indicating proper level. The transmission is properly filled when fluid reaches the bottom of the fill plug threads with the vehicle level.
   ℹ️Do not overfill. Excess fluid can cause aeration, foaming, and shifting problems.
9. 9

   Reinstall fill plug
   Remove the funnel and allow excess fluid to drain back to proper level. Thread the fill plug with new gasket/washer in by hand, then tighten to specification using a torque wrench.
   Torque spec

   Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Clean up and lower vehicle
    Wipe any spilled fluid from the transmission case and surrounding areas. Verify both drain and fill plugs are properly tightened. Remove jack stands and carefully lower the vehicle to the ground. Dispose of used transmission fluid at an appropriate recycling facility.

Reassembly

1. No disassembly was required for this service procedure.

Verification

• Start the engine and allow to idle for 2-3 minutes.
• With engine running and parking brake engaged, cycle through all gear positions, pausing 2-3 seconds in each gear.
• Return to neutral and check underneath the vehicle for any leaks at the drain or fill plugs.
• Test drive the vehicle through all gears to verify smooth shifting operation.
• After test drive, recheck for leaks while transmission is at operating temperature.

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