Just picked up an AC filter from my dealer, and compared it to the Wix 57701...being a "Show Me" boy I had to see it myself, and sure enough, the Wix filter has like 8 holes evenly spaced near the center of the filter and the magnet COMPLETELY covers them! So I grabbed the AC, with the holes on the outer perimeter, and the magnet clears...

[On a side note: I had to run by the dealer to pick up some other stuff, so I figured I'd grab some filters and service the truck before our trip tomorrow...I grabbed both the spin on & internal tranny filters, as well as an air filter...anyone wanna take a guess at what THOSE cost me? Try $85! And I didn't even get a kiss! LOL!! I learned my lesson...FleetFilter, here I come!]

Did the parts man light up a cigaret after you paid him?

I just changed out my spin on filter after reading about wix holes covered by magnet.I called around stealer, wanted $39.95, Interstate (allison dealer) wanted $8.00. Thats the second time allison dealer has been cheaper than local gm dealership. Now I'm going straight to allison.

MikeL: actually, he *was* smoking! LOL!! Just one of those things...dad decided to take the truck on his trip Thursday, and I didn't have any filters put back...soooo, the stealer was my only option. I about choked! But what can ya do?

Anyway, for giggles I took a picture of the GM/AC Delco spin on Allison filter versus the Wix replacement...nevermind the broken magnet, it's off another truck and just for comparison's sake...

http://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/AllyFilters.jpg

I do not like the wix at all.

I do not like the wix at all.

Hey,

I agree. The Wix looks like a cheap low quality knock off!! Thanks for the pics 454chevy.

I took the last AC-GM filter our closest dealer had for my truck, but another guy here in town saw us servicing my Dmax and wanted us to do his before his big trip...well, I called around to some big truck places trying to find another filter, and happened to mention the magnet thing to one of the mechanics at an International dealer...he said if you go with an aftermarket filter, DO NOT use the magnet! Anyway, being as our local parts house was trying to sell me a Wix ('cause they don't keep the GM-AC filter 'cause it's too expensive!), I took filters and the magnet in to show them *why* I was wanting the right filter...still don't think they believed me, as they said Wix couldn't stay in business making faulty parts...oh well, I did finally get them to agree to stock the correct filter, though!

I took the last AC-GM filter our closest dealer had for my truck, but another guy here in town saw us servicing my Dmax and wanted us to do his before his big trip...well, I called around to some big truck places trying to find another filter, and happened to mention the magnet thing to one of the mechanics at an International dealer...he said if you go with an aftermarket filter, DO NOT use the magnet! Anyway, being as our local parts house was trying to sell me a Wix ('cause they don't keep the GM-AC filter 'cause it's too expensive!), I took filters and the magnet in to show them *why* I was wanting the right filter...still don't think they believed me, as they said Wix couldn't stay in business making faulty parts...oh well, I did finally get them to agree to stock the correct filter, though!

Hey,

Sure Wix could stay in business, FRAM is. Glad to hear you got them to stock the correct filter. They are brainwashed by NAPA ( or whoever.... ) into thinking WIX is the king of everything!! IMO, I don't think they are.

:stirthepo

I run the WIX with ZERO problems.

Drove 2400 miles in 95°F+ weather towing a loaded enclosed car trailer and didn't have any transmission heat (or engine heat) issues at all.

My contention is that the magnet does not actually block the holes when the filter is installed. Pictures don't lie...but you haven't taken the right pictures...

Put the magnet on the tranny and then screw on the filter...you will see that there is a good bit of clearance between the holes and the magnet. The magnet can actually move up and down on the thread portion of the filter mount when the filter is installed...tough to get a picture of that;) .

I think the oil flows into the center of the filter and out through the holes...MikeL can you confirm this? If this is the case the high oil flow rate would tend to push the magnet up out of the way anyway. I'd even argue that since the WIX has more holes it might be less restrictive...kind of depends on how much restriction is caused by the filter media itself.



Just my $0.00001

That magnet isnt moving once its in contact with the top of the filter.

I do not like the wix at all.



since when? you've been telling us that's it's fine to use, and if you say it's fine, i can only assume it's great for the alli. i mean, this is coming from the same guy who cares so much about our allisons that he recommends spinon changeds @ 5K

That magnet isnt moving once its in contact with the top of the filter.

Why not? It is not pinched between the filter and the tranny. It can float up and down on the filter housing threads. If you're saying it won't move because magnitism is holding to the filter I don't buy it. It has a large surface area and I don't think it would take much oil flow to over come the magnetic attraction. If it was actually causing a flow restriction I would think the fluid force acting on it would definately be enough to lift it off the filter. I haven't tested this but I don't think it is an unreasonable assumption.

I've run that Wix filter on my last two Ally's - ZERO problems. And I abuse the crap out of my tranny, check my vids, (plus I pull a heavy gn trailer to each and every sled pull with another Dmax on it. The way the base plate is formed the magnet doesn't plug/block the holes. Think of it this way: you're giving the oil more contact with the magnet to catch the shavings.

By the way, Wix is not a cheap knock off filter.

since when? you've been telling us that's it's fine to use, and if you say it's fine, i can only assume it's great for the alli. i mean, this is coming from the same guy who cares so much about our allisons that he recommends spinon changeds @ 5K

Sorry, forgot to put the winky in.:D At one time I was using the SPX filter which looks like the Wix and so was Suncoast. We had no problems with them at all flowing pressure. When the filter subject came up a couple of years ago on the DieselPlace I decided as did Suncoast to switch to the OEM filters so there could be no argument. I am seeing filter companies changing their design on their spin on's to the 6 hole instead of the 8 hole because of the controversy. The Wix filter does not scare me at all and I would not hesitate using it on my truck; but because of this contrversy I will not use it on customers trucks.
mike

MikeL. - what's the purpose of that filter? There's the sump filter, is this one like a bypass filter? Not trying to show ignorance here but I've never known why this spin on one is there.

MikeL. - what's the purpose of that filter? There's the sump filter, is this one like a bypass filter? Not trying to show ignorance here but I've never known why this spin on one is there.

Hey,

Good question. I second it on all counts. Could you give us some insight please MikeL?

Why not? It is not pinched between the filter and the tranny. It can float up and down on the filter housing threads. If you're saying it won't move because magnitism is holding to the filter I don't buy it. It has a large surface area and I don't think it would take much oil flow to over come the magnetic attraction. If it was actually causing a flow restriction I would think the fluid force acting on it would definately be enough to lift it off the filter. I haven't tested this but I don't think it is an unreasonable assumption.



Im not positive but i do believe the flow is reverse of what your thinking. Besides if there is pressure on one side of the magnet there will be pressure on the other side. That magnet isnt going to move either way.

MikeL. - what's the purpose of that filter? There's the sump filter, is this one like a bypass filter? Not trying to show ignorance here but I've never known why this spin on one is there.

The spin on filter is called the control main filter. This filter runs 125 psi through it and feeds the valve body and solenoids. This filter should never be allowed to get dirty because it starts to limit pressure that the valve body and solenoids use. You will not know when it begins to restrict untill it gets so bad it starts slipping. The magnet is there because all solenoids are magnets also and attract metal so Allison intercepts the metal at the filter before it gets to the electronics. There is also another tiny filter screen in the valve body for B trim solenoid. A trim solenoid does not have a screen.

The spin on filter is called the control main filter. This filter runs 125 psi through it and feeds the valve body and solenoids. This filter should never be allowed to get dirty because it starts to limit pressure that the valve body and solenoids use. You will not know when it begins to restrict untill it gets so bad it starts slipping. The magnet is there because all solenoids are magnets also and attract metal so Allison intercepts the metal at the filter before it gets to the electronics. There is also another tiny filter screen in the valve body for B trim solenoid. A trim solenoid does not have a screen.

Hey,

Thanks for the explanation Mike. Now I understand why it is so important ( and cheap insurance ) to change the spin on every oil change.

Oil flows around the magnet then through the holes and out the big hole in the center, there may be 125 PSI, but it still has ample flow volume to ensure lube and cooling pleasures of the tranny. All of this is assuming this ONE filter is not different than ALL the other spin on filters on the market.

Just my 2 cents

Im not positive but i do believe the flow is reverse of what your thinking. Could be...Tolliwacker thinks so too. Would blow my theory to pieces...:( Whatever happens with interaction between the magnet and the Wix filter it hasn't caused me any problems and I don't think using the Wix filter is bad for the truck.

Besides if there is pressure on one side of the magnet there will be pressure on the other side. That magnet isn’t going to move either way. If the pressure on both sides of the magnet were the same then there would be no flow restriction:D ...no flow actually. Anyway, there is more than pressure acting on the magnet: Gravity pulls the magnet down, Magnetism could pull the magnet toward the filter or the transmission depending on which one it is closest too, the pressure differential between the top and bottom of the magnet push it in the oil flow direction, and the impulse of the flowing oil "hitting" the magnet also pushes it in the flow direction. Think of a pebble bouncing along a river bottom...the pressures on the upstream and downstream sides are very nearly the same. The impulse of the flowing water causes the pebble to move.

Anyway...I'm not trying to argue with anyone (well maybe a little;) ) but after reading all the threads about this filter it starts to become clear that many people take what's written here as absolute truth:hail: . It's not. Many people seem to have "freaked out" over the Wix filter and IMO wasted lots of time and money returning them, hunting down OEM filters, agonizing about ruining the transmission etc. I don't particularly care which filter anyone uses. I just hate to see them react to statements like, "XYZ will void your warrantee, make you blind, take your first born son, destroy the universe, cause itchy discomfort and oily discharge.”, that don’t have any supporting details or information to back them up. Where was I going with this? My posts must be soooo boring to read…

Gravity pulls the magnet down, Magnetism could pull the magnet toward the filter or the transmission depending on which one it is closest too,
IIRC, the surfaces above the filter are Aluminum.

Have you pulled that magnet off of the filter with your hand yet?
It's not going to move by itself.

Could be...Tolliwacker thinks so too. Would blow my theory to pieces...:( Whatever happens with interaction between the magnet and the Wix filter it hasn't caused me any problems and I don't think using the Wix filter is bad for the truck.

If the pressure on both sides of the magnet were the same then there would be no flow restriction:D ...no flow actually. Anyway, there is more than pressure acting on the magnet: Gravity pulls the magnet down, Magnetism could pull the magnet toward the filter or the transmission depending on which one it is closest too, the pressure differential between the top and bottom of the magnet push it in the oil flow direction, and the impulse of the flowing oil "hitting" the magnet also pushes it in the flow direction. Think of a pebble bouncing along a river bottom...the pressures on the upstream and downstream sides are very nearly the same. The impulse of the flowing water causes the pebble to move.

Anyway...I'm not trying to argue with anyone (well maybe a little;) ) but after reading all the threads about this filter it starts to become clear that many people take what's written here as absolute truth:hail: . It's not. Many people seem to have "freaked out" over the Wix filter and IMO wasted lots of time and money returning them, hunting down OEM filters, agonizing about ruining the transmission etc. I don't particularly care which filter anyone uses. I just hate to see them react to statements like, "XYZ will void your warrantee, make you blind, take your first born son, destroy the universe, cause itchy discomfort and oily discharge.” , that don’t have any supporting details or information to back them up. Where was I going with this? My posts must be soooo boring to read…


:funnypost :lol:

IIRC, the surfaces above the filter are Aluminum.

The threaded portion of the filter mount is steel and it has a beefy shoulder on the transmission end. I stuck my magnet to that before I screwed on the filter. I sent a kid off looking for a brass magnet one time...they must have aluminum magnets too:D .

Have you pulled that magnet off of the filter with your hand yet? It's not going to move by itself.

I never said it would move by its self.

Are the Napa Golds fron fleetfilter.com Wix?

Should be, Wix and Napa roll down the exact same assembly line - seen it myself.

Mental note to self #27 just goto my dealer and pay 7.65 for my ally filters instead of getting them through fleetfilter.