Inside the tranny fluid pan hidden under a cover is a fine mesh screen
filter.  While annual replacement is probably over the top it does collect
some stuff that you don't want in there.  It's fairly inexpensive and, once
you get past the mess of dropping the pan, is easy to replace.

Chuck
'85 Wolfsburg Westy -- 'Roland the Road Buffalo'

In a message dated 5/3/01 6:19:44 PM, lalofs@enteract.com writes:

<< > I have almost 4 years on an '84 I bought in '97.  Had fluid and filter
> changed then and have changed in annually since then even though I only put
> about 10K miles annually on the van.  No problems with transmission.
>
> John Lauterbach
> Macon, GA

Filter?  What  filter?  Are you sure there is a filter?

Larry A. >>