Gidday,
I've just bought the above vehicle and priority one is to give the transmission some love. The car has a reasonably complete service history but there's no mention I can find of any transmission service presumably because they were allegedly sealed for life.
Anyway I'd like to give it a little extra life...
Currently there is what I suspect is some faint pump noise once warm, and a lazy shift between 1 and 2. Also the shifter feels a little sloppy but have had no actual problems with it. Might be a lazy shift on one of the higher changes too but not so pronounced as 1 to 2.
My intention (likely next week) is to drop the transmission pan, change the filter, and probably follow that up with a couple more drain and fills a couple of thousand km apart as I understand only about 40% of the fluid is changed each time with this method.

Questions:
Are there any other relatively straightforward preventative items I should consider while the pan is off given the above symptoms and mileage?
Is sealant acceptable when refitting the pan? I've used it many times on other automatic transmissions (with care!) but see no mention of it on this vehicle.

Since I'm down the bottom of the world the fluid type won't be relevant to most here, but it will be Mercon V.
Any assistance gratefully received, I'm very keen on preventative maintenance with all vehicles and given the relative complexity of this one I'm extra keen to keep ahead of the 8 ball as far as is reasonable.
Thanks.

 

The ZF 6HP26/28 requires service every five years or 100,000 km, which includes changing the pan/filter and refilling with clean fluid.

 

Check the two bolts with 8mm heads that attach the shift cable to the gearbox as they tend to loosen with the vehicle then not shifting out of the 'P' position or not starting.

Care must be used whilst removing the pan bolts as they have a tendency to shear off.

Replace the seal on the metatronic sleeve as it can only be removed when the pan is off.

No sealant is necessary on the pan.

 

MerconSP would be better if available....make sure car is level if on jackstands and make sure you can get fill plug loose before draining...i make these suggestions asuming it has a zf trans....if not,then probably not applicable

 

Sorry folks I omitted to mention it's got the earlier Ford transmission. Thanks for the ZF related advice but should have realised 2002 could be either!

 

The Ford 5R55N should also be serviced every five years or 100,000 km to ensure proper operation.

 

So my filter/fluid change followed by a couple more drain and fills in a few thousand km would be all that is needed?
With the pump noise and 1 to 2 shift observation I'm curious to see if there is any improvement with new fluid. Will report back if I see any change!
Thanks for the advice.