Hello all. New user aboard, with a problem.

1996 LT1 coupe, auto. Transmission just let go with a pretty loud bang. It actually sounded like something in the driveline broke, however I was able to limp home in a lower gear.

I get nothing when I select drive 1 or 2. Second seems to work some, don't know about first. Reverse feels pretty solid.

Two questions. What likely went, and are there any recommendations for a competent place to take it for repair in the Binghamton - Elmira region of New York? This unit was rebuilt once, just before I bought it, and it didn't last that long.

One more question - any recommendations, either way, about purchasing a rebuilt unit online? Automotix has them for a pretty cheap price. I've also looked at ATK.

Thanks and regards...

 

Pete K is the transmission guru around here. A number of us. . . including myself. . .rebuilt the transmission as a DIY. There are some very detailed threads regarding this along with numerous high quality pictures. If you have good and experienced mechanical skills and a good eye for detail, this is something that you could possibly do yourself.

You have a 1996 like myself...so therefore your shifting is controlled electronically and your transmission has even less moving parts than earlier C4s. Looking back, I thought that the 4l60e rebuild was not terribly difficult. I took my sweet time however.

If you dont do it yourself, at least you will know what parts should go into your rebuild to get it rebuilt right.

If you buy a transmission online, you are going to have to do a search for more reputable outfits. Maybe Pete K can recommend some. My humble advice is to have a local reputable shop do it so you have a warranty and someone to scream at if it doesn't work properly.



In any regard, good luck to you and welcome!!

 

You likely broke the rear planetary gearset, and cracked the output shaft. The gearset likely broke due to an oiling issue.

 

I would say go to Rossler Trans at www.rosslertrans.com since they were recommended by Lingenfelters. Also I have used them 3 times in the past. Once with my first 383 and Lingenfelter personally warning me after he tuned it that the trans would go within a year. 6 months was all it lasted. 3 yrs later, I broke the sun shell gear among other things. That was fine with me since that was a Daily Driver and I beat the trans several times a day. This time was because the tailshaft housing came loose from me using the wrong bolts and wrecked the trans.

 

I too did my own rebuild on my 700R4 thanks to PeteK. I hounded him to death with questions. I don't know about your trans but the trans in the earlier C4's were Corvette specific. Keep this in mind if you buy a reconditioned trans from someone, make sure it is a Vette unit and not just a plain 4L60E. If you decide you want to try it yourself, get a good manual, they are loaded with good pictures to aid the instructions.
I would also check with Pete, he may have a fresh one ready to go for you.

 

You should also check out Dana at ProBuilt transmissions. He specializes in 700R4s and 4L60es. You can find him at 700r4l60e.com. I bought all my parts from him including vigi
lante 9.5 in. TC for my current rebuild.

He has answered ALL questions I've had and regularly helps me over the phone (or even email) for 30 min or more - even on saturdays and sundays at 2 in the morning. Definitely consider him when shopping for a new trans or a rebuild. The others mentioned are also VERY reputable trans builders.

 

Guys - thanks for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it.

I wouldn't mind doing the transmission work myself. It's the in and the out that would be difficult and I'd have to find someplace to do the work since I have no garage at the moment.

I'll check back after finding some financing (I'll probably end up selling my Harley so I can fix the car properly).

 

I'll have some time to post the rest of my pics this next week and update my month old thread on my trans rebuild. I am just finishing the rebuild and have tons of pics.

If you do the work yourself, you will need certain trans specialty tools - click on my name and find the 700R4 rebuild thread - I have pics of all the tools needed thus far for the rebuild. Its definitely been a learning experience, but with all the money I saved over the 3 estimates I received I was able to buy ALL those tools in that rebuild thread, a 33 gal air compressor, air tools, the best dremel with MANY extras, 50 ft. 1/2 in. chemical-proof air hose, 20 ton hydraulic press, creeper, halogen work lights, 7 piece Craftsman torx-bit set, 137 piece craftsman mechanic's tool set, a lot of little things, and just today - a nice Craftsman ball-bearing chest and rolling 4 drawer tool storage.

Even with all that, I am STILL under the highest estimate I received AND even rented a car for one week! I know everything is done with the utmost care and precision, cleaned well, and I have WAY better parts than would have come with either estimate (one was at 2,600 and another at 3,600!!!! ).

Good luck with whatever path you decide on,

Jonathan

P.S. - If you want to save on buying all those tools and lift equipment, I would be more than happy to bring all my tools and help you if you live close enough. It wouldn't be a bad idea to fill out your profile some more....

* I just saw you're located in NY - if only you were a little closer!

 

Same thing happened to my 94 a few years ago. I took it to a shop just outside on Oxford NY recommended by a Vette friend of mine. They did a great job (cost me a grand though). I can get you the name & phone number if you want.

 

Hey, Jonathon, that was a really nice offer of help. This is quite the forum, lots of good people.

D - yeah, Oxford is reasonably close. What is the name of your shop?

Still trying to decide how I'm going to swing this. Money is not plentiful unfortunately. I just got this car out of mothballs where it sat for close to 2 years. Drove it for a week! Now this. Oh well

 

Gordon's Transmission Service
4731 County Road 32
Norwich NY
607-334-2335

 

I believe I have a garage lined up for the car. I'm thinking about at least pulling it out myself.

A few questions...

What height must the car be lifted to for transmission r+r?

Where are the proper places to jack with a floor jack?

Where to position the jackstands?

What is the recommended way to support the engine?



Transmissions jacks are not cheap. I haven't found one for under $400 except for a non-hydraulic scissor type one. Is it possible to buy a transmission jack that will double as a floor jack? (ie, interchangeable heads) Any recommendations on make and model?

How much does the 4l60 transmission weigh? (thinking about doing it the hard way)

Regards -

 

Click on my name and check out my 700R4 transmission thread (the 4l60e is pretty similar to the 700R4). Get a 450-lb tranny jack from harbor freight for $60.

Get 3 ton high-lift jack stands from Sears and set them to the highest position. The transmission was too tall strapped onto the Harbor Freight tranny jack so I pulled it off onto a piece of MDF and slid it out from under the car without incident.

If you put the jacks on some thick pieces of wood, you will be able to roll it out on the tranny jack. Just remember the higher up it is (on jack stands), the less stable it is, IMHO.

For the front, I jacked at the frame forward of the factory jacking positions (indicated by the space between 2 arrows on the rocker panels - get on your knees to see them). I also put the jack stands here for the front of the car. For the rear, you can lift up both wheels at the same time by placing the jack (with wood) on the rear end. You have to remove the rear exhaust first for this or have an after-market that has a void in that area, IIRC. Personally, I jacked up on side at a time.

A regular hydraulic floor jack and a cheap 4 ton bottle jack makes easy work of lifting the car. Just make sure you have plenty of wood for the jacks to sit on because you will be jacking the car VERY high.

The tranny can't weigh more than 200lbs. I was able to pick it up myself off the ground with fluid and all of it inside and place it on my work bench. I also took it from a vertical position (with the output shaft in a hole in my bench) and set it horizontally several times by myself, in addition to taking it down off the workbench once it was rebuilt. If you have good strength and a good back, you can lift it yourself. Its much easier though if you have even one other person helping - especially important if your back is bad.

To support the engine, place a piece of thick plywood between your normal car jack and the oil pan and support it like that. DON'T forget to remove your distributor cap or IT WILL CRACK.

I have a Microsoft Word document with all the instructions for tranny removal I got from members on the forum and archive searches - PM me if you want a copy.

Jonathan

 

Getting very close to starting this job. I am trying to plan ahead as much as possible.

Regarding rebuild kits - I see the same kit listed twice, the difference being vacuum modulator or no vacuum modulator. Is this a mod? Adding a modulator to a transmission that originally was not equipped with one?

- Tony

 

Show us the kit you are referring too. Can you post a picture? 4l60e does not have a vacuum modulator. Downshifts are computer controlled.

Here is a kit I bought on Ebay:





Both parts from Performance Warehouse Transmissions of CAlifornia. The second pic is the Beast Sunshell. . . .an absolute must for your rebuild. For the 3/4 pack, I would recommend the Z Pack. I got rid of the band you see on the right and got a wider one with better friction material. Don't remember where I got now.

Pete K may have that wide band, or could tell you where to get quality parts locally.

Good luck man,,,,,,,take your time....it pays.

 

Pro Built Transmissions. Several users have directed me there. Their rebuild kit includes a beast sunshell as well as a shift kit.

I didn't think the 4l60e had a modulator. Wondering why you would want one. Seems like a step backwards.

Without:

https://www.700r4l60e.com/store/prod...&cat=22&page=1

With:

https://www.700r4l60e.com/store/prod...&cat=22&page=1

Don't worry, I'm not in any rush. They don't get any more meticulous than me.

 

Tony, check your PM inbox. And if you have a question about the no / vacuum modulator just give Dana a call yourself and ask him why. You never know - it may just be a technical error.

Jonathan

 

The project is off the ground (literally)

The car is up on stands and I went underneath to soak the fasteners with penetrating oil. I was somewhat dismayed to find that the entire exhaust system appears to be a welded assembly. It looks like everything comes off together
.