Transmission questions
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Transmission questions
Bastet44's 1987 is acting REAL weird of late... it started the other day.
Well... it's been going on since I first started riding in it almost 2 years ago!
It is hesitent getting into OD. Now, it's become a serious bucking.
I am thinking governor, but I am scared of transmission. My first try will be to put some Seafoam tranny cleaner and flush it out...
How much are parts to rebuild one of these things? How hard are they to rebuild? I would DIY it, versus paying someone 1500.00 to do it.
thanks!!!
Well... it's been going on since I first started riding in it almost 2 years ago!
It is hesitent getting into OD. Now, it's become a serious bucking.
I am thinking governor, but I am scared of transmission. My first try will be to put some Seafoam tranny cleaner and flush it out...
How much are parts to rebuild one of these things? How hard are they to rebuild? I would DIY it, versus paying someone 1500.00 to do it.
thanks!!!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
I think it's just about toast. I spent some bucks, years ago, for the tools to do a DIY overhaul on a TH400. I R&Red the trans in my driveway and followed the book, as best as I could. Long story short... the car still didn't move after I was done. I was so PO-ed (at myself) that I paid a buddy who knows autos to do the job, including the second R&R. If I had been smart enough to realize my limitations, I could have saved myself some money. If you precede, good luck.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
After my recent experience with the A4 rebuild I too would prefer to R&R it myself next time. I just had my 700R/4 rebuild with hardened parts, a new 2,000rpm TC and a TransGo shift kit to the tune of $2,100. And it took three tries and as many weeks to get it set up right.
I believe this would require the proper tools, the GM Shop Manual and the complete A4 manual. Even then I would expect to have to do it over again but that would be far better than paying a shop to screw it up. Also, if you buy parts from a good house their tech support line will be there when needed. I talked to a tech at TransGo about problems that the rebuilder had blamed on the shift kit and the tech was very helpful and informative.
I feel the biggest danger with doing an A4 for the first time is lack of a good image as to were eveything goes. And then there is the diagnostic & setup procedures. However, as with most things, "it ain't rocket science" and you can learn to do it.
I believe this would require the proper tools, the GM Shop Manual and the complete A4 manual. Even then I would expect to have to do it over again but that would be far better than paying a shop to screw it up. Also, if you buy parts from a good house their tech support line will be there when needed. I talked to a tech at TransGo about problems that the rebuilder had blamed on the shift kit and the tech was very helpful and informative.
I feel the biggest danger with doing an A4 for the first time is lack of a good image as to were eveything goes. And then there is the diagnostic & setup procedures. However, as with most things, "it ain't rocket science" and you can learn to do it.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
My feeling is thus - I can rebuild an engine, why not a transmission?
I hope that it's not toast... but if it is... I will deal with that when the time comes.
thanks for the advise!!
I hope that it's not toast... but if it is... I will deal with that when the time comes.
thanks for the advise!!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,517
Likes: 19
Originally Posted by bogus
My feeling is thus - I can rebuild an engine, why not a transmission?
I hope that it's not toast... but if it is... I will deal with that when the time comes.
thanks for the advise!!
I hope that it's not toast... but if it is... I will deal with that when the time comes.
thanks for the advise!!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: Maple Valley WA
I did a Dodge 518 in my Jeep a year or two ago and it came out fine so I figured I'd do my 4l60e when it went a couple weeks ago.
After soft parts, hi po frictions and steels, a pump upgade, kevlar band, 5 pinion planetary, beast shell, transgo shift kit, input gear, sprag, super servo, upgraded separator plate, lo/rev clutch spring asm, servo release check valve, bushings, bearings, and thrust washers I'm out about $850 incl shipping.
One thing that impressed me was how relatively simple the 4l60e was compared to the 518.
GL,
Jay
After soft parts, hi po frictions and steels, a pump upgade, kevlar band, 5 pinion planetary, beast shell, transgo shift kit, input gear, sprag, super servo, upgraded separator plate, lo/rev clutch spring asm, servo release check valve, bushings, bearings, and thrust washers I'm out about $850 incl shipping.
One thing that impressed me was how relatively simple the 4l60e was compared to the 518.
GL,
Jay
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
And ain't worried about hi-po parts!
I am thinking I can get stock parts for about half the performance parts... that's affordable.
How long did it take you to do the labour? I am thinking one serious weekend and it would be done.
I will know more once I pour the seafoam in.
I am thinking I can get stock parts for about half the performance parts... that's affordable.
How long did it take you to do the labour? I am thinking one serious weekend and it would be done.
I will know more once I pour the seafoam in.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
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Andy, the first time I experienced tranny trouble on my Dodge, I did a simple filter change. That fixed it. But about a month later it acted up again.
I've watched Tommy from Anger Management build trannies, that isn't something I want to try without someone like him supervising.
I know you already have the service manual, so that's half the battle.
He does it all from memory(because he does 3 or 4 a day).
Just be careful with where you get the parts. I visited his dealership one day and he was building a 4L60E for a C5 and one of his coworkers was building a 4L60E for a Camaro and both of them got bad pumps from two different sources. These were new parts.
I've watched Tommy from Anger Management build trannies, that isn't something I want to try without someone like him supervising.
I know you already have the service manual, so that's half the battle.
He does it all from memory(because he does 3 or 4 a day).
Just be careful with where you get the parts. I visited his dealership one day and he was building a 4L60E for a C5 and one of his coworkers was building a 4L60E for a Camaro and both of them got bad pumps from two different sources. These were new parts.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
Last year someone on the forum rebuilt their tranny-with their parts package they got a step by step video-said it was invaluable. I've done many a standard, but when it comes to autos-I'll leave it to the pros.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,517
Likes: 19
Originally Posted by bogus
And ain't worried about hi-po parts!
I am thinking I can get stock parts for about half the performance parts... that's affordable.
How long did it take you to do the labour? I am thinking one serious weekend and it would be done.
I will know more once I pour the seafoam in.
I am thinking I can get stock parts for about half the performance parts... that's affordable.
How long did it take you to do the labour? I am thinking one serious weekend and it would be done.
I will know more once I pour the seafoam in.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
that's the problem... I don't have 3 weekends.
I found a local shop that does automatics only, Jay's Automatic Transmissions, here in Torrance. They can turn it around in 2 days, for about $1300.00 - if I remove it.
Seems cheap at the price. Less downtime, more drive time.
I will know more later today or tomorrow. When I mentioned a sticky governor, he agreed, that could cause a hesitant shift into OD, also, the problem eases as it drives a bit... which makes me think stuck up governor. If so, I expect some seafoam transmission flush would release that in no time.
I will know soon enough.
Keep you all posted! As I said, the car is in the garage right now, so once it gets home, I will start testing.
Thanks!
I found a local shop that does automatics only, Jay's Automatic Transmissions, here in Torrance. They can turn it around in 2 days, for about $1300.00 - if I remove it.
Seems cheap at the price. Less downtime, more drive time.
I will know more later today or tomorrow. When I mentioned a sticky governor, he agreed, that could cause a hesitant shift into OD, also, the problem eases as it drives a bit... which makes me think stuck up governor. If so, I expect some seafoam transmission flush would release that in no time.
I will know soon enough.
Keep you all posted! As I said, the car is in the garage right now, so once it gets home, I will start testing.
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by bogus
When I mentioned a sticky governor, he agreed, that could cause a hesitant shift into OD, also, the problem eases as it drives a bit... which makes me think stuck up governor. If so, I expect some seafoam transmission flush would release that in no time.
RACE ON!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
i 2nd checking the governor and filter, i was having similar problems and was just about drop the trans for a rebuild when i decided to pop out the governor and saw the nylon gear had no teeth on it and picked a new one up for around 25 bucks. i have also known guys to have luck changing the filter. its cheap and easy to do yourself compared to a the price and work of a rebuild.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: Maple Valley WA
Originally Posted by bogus
And ain't worried about hi-po parts!
I am thinking I can get stock parts for about half the performance parts... that's affordable.
How long did it take you to do the labour? I am thinking one serious weekend and it would be done.
I am thinking I can get stock parts for about half the performance parts... that's affordable.
How long did it take you to do the labour? I am thinking one serious weekend and it would be done.
It's been sitting for the last week or so while I find the time to get back to it.
Again, GL,
Jay
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
Ya might even consider one from Ebay. There is like 1 or 2 builders on there that seem reputable. Order the correct one, swap them and rebuild the old one at a leisurely pace.(???) Go over there and type in something like 4L60 or 200r4 in the search field of car parts/transmissions. Read the ads and see what they include and do in the rebuilds.
Another thing is if you ask around and network enough, you will find a guy that has been doing them for awhile and does them on the side out of his home garage or someplace. I found a guy like that. VERY reasonable on prices and I've stood there as he meticulously blueprinted a trans.
Let us know how this turns out. Sounds like a trans swap party is coming up.
Shoulda done it when the engine was out. (am I the first one to say that?....-sorry)
*edit: I forgot to say that make note of the current shift points for comparison later.
Another thing is if you ask around and network enough, you will find a guy that has been doing them for awhile and does them on the side out of his home garage or someplace. I found a guy like that. VERY reasonable on prices and I've stood there as he meticulously blueprinted a trans.
Let us know how this turns out. Sounds like a trans swap party is coming up.
Shoulda done it when the engine was out. (am I the first one to say that?....-sorry)
*edit: I forgot to say that make note of the current shift points for comparison later.
Last edited by pablocruise; Jun 9, 2005 at 10:58 PM.
I'm getting there...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
At this time, the transmission is gonna have to wait... thank God...
We went to pick up the car and before we left, I checked the plug wires (something bugging me, actually) and found that the #6 wire had fallen clean off! Reattached and all is ok...
whew.
We went to pick up the car and before we left, I checked the plug wires (something bugging me, actually) and found that the #6 wire had fallen clean off! Reattached and all is ok...
whew.