Transmission Filter Cut open Pics "Strainer"

For peace of mind and curiousity, I decided to replace my original "Lifetime transmission Strainer" during my recent transmission service on my 2016 Tundra 5.7
I cut open the hard case using a hacksaw and used a razor blade to open fabric bag.

Toyota calls this a strainer and claims it to last a lifetime.
When you hear the word strainer you automatically think its a metal screen of some sort, even the local toyota dealer parts and service said it would be a metal screen strainer.
in my case It is indeed a filter, made of a heavy duty felt fabric and works like a vacuum bag, the fluid goes inside the pouch then is sucked out through the walls of the filter bag fabric.
In my case, it was extremely clean inside just a few small specs of foreign material.
I can now see that this "filter" would most likely last a "lifetime" ( life of the transmission)
.
So in my opinion, its probably not worth replacing yours as it can be messy, time consuming, cost a few bucks and most important some people accidently break off oil pan bolts in the process, especially in colder snowy climates where those bolts can be difficult to remove. However, if sometime down the road your transmission needs rebuilt, youd obviously replace it at that time.

Hope this helps anyone that is considering changing theirs.

2016 Tundra 5.7, 81,000 miles

 

Thanks for posting, good info! Keep on drain & fillin'...every 3rd to 5th oil change is my Fav...

 

I did this as well on mine, posted some photos here, my filter popped open while out a saw, just wedge a screwdriver in and was able to separate it.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/my-transmission-pan-adventure.110777/