I'm in desperate need of some expert advice. I'm changing the tranny fluid and filter on my 99 Malibu. When I removed the filter it also said to remove the old black retaining ring that holds the filter in place ( might have been better off re-using it but I'm not sure ). I have tried everything I can think of but can not get the new retaining ring installed and fully seated into the opening where it goes. All of the old material has been removed and the surface is good and clean. I have tried installing the ring by it self as well as installing it on the filter and then trying to get it seated in the opening but nothing is working and all I do is cause the ring to lose it'* shape which causes me to have to buy replacements 2 times so far. Please any help and tips on this would be so greatly appreciated as I'm trying to get this done before my daughter heads back to school and obviously she can't drive it like this.

I always leave that seal in, but seeing you removed the old one. You start the new one, then use a deep well socket that is the same size and a plastic or rubber mallet to tap it in to place.

Hope this helps.

I've tried that twice and it loses it'* shape so bad that when you get it in plave it'* loose and then falls out.

Sounds like you might not be going in straight. But that is the proper procedure.

Is there anything I can use or do to make sure I keep it straight?

Do the new rings look any different dimensionally than the old one? Did you try re-installing the old one? Are you applying grease to the new ones to help them install?

Your eyes, that'* about it. Wiggle it straight, then put the socket on it, tap, then look, adjust as needed. If there is a good trick to this, SGP358 would know it.