Guys, need your help on a 93 automatic trans leak. The leak is coming from the front seal. I have friend who owns a repair shop and he has told me that I need to replace a bushing that supports the input shaft and also replace the front seal. Any experience with this repair would be appreciated. Also, what would be the symptons of a bad torque converter?

Thanks,
93cruiser

 

I pressed in all new bushings and seals on my 91's 700R4 a little while ago. The front pump seal is easy to remove with a screwdriver (don't scratch the sidewall, just get under the lip of the seal) and the bushing is pressed in with a hydraulic press with a special bushing adapter.

Pics:
View of tranny w/ TC removed. See the retaining clip and the front pump seal? Remove the retaining clip with a flathead screwdriver (it'll fly off, so watch your eyes). Then use a flathead or a seal puller to remove the front pump seal. I don't know, nor want to know, how difficult it is to do with the tranny still in the car. The bushing needs to be pressed out from the inside so you will at least need to remove the front pump if you want to replace the bushing, unless there is another way to get the force-fit bushing out.

The new bushing is pressed in with a special bushing adapter. Clean the front pump area with a razor blade to remove any old paint from the old seal. If you scratch anything, take some fine emory paper and go over the surface in a circular motion. I used a flat block of wood to tap the new seal in with a mallet. Then put the new retaining clip on.



Pump face off trying to remove the old front seal, I'll admit it almost beat me.....I should've tried a seal puller.



New seal and retainer, looks very nice if I may say so.



Have fun.

 

Did some reading on TC shutter and I believe this what I am experiencing and I have a significant oil leak out of the front seal on the transmission. Can this be repaired with new bushings and new TC? How difficult is the repair?
Thanks,
92cruiser

 

I would contact forum member PeteK first to verify the problem. He is the resident expert on 700R4 transmissions.

Good luck,

Jonathan

 

92, once you have the transmission on the floor you'll have to remove the pump to replace the bushings. The pump is the first thing out of the front of an automatic transmission. It does not require any special tools to get it out, but you should have the proper bushing driver to install the new parts.

A shudder could mean that you have internal transmission problems. Can you be more specific? What are the conditions when the shudder occurs? Does the transmission slip? Does it shift okay? Throwing any codes?

 

If after more diagnosis you discover the front pump bushing also needs to be replaced, shoot me a PM about the special bushing adapter.....

 

The vibration/noise occurs in 3rd and OD while cruising. 3rd gear is not to bad. The transmission shifts really good and crisp. No codes. I first noticed the problem after changing the tranny fluid some 5k miles ago. At that time I did not think too much of it so I did not research the forum for the cause.

Thanks
93cruiser

 

From what you say the lockup clutch in the converter could be fried. It sounds like the problem occurs when it would be locking up. When you pull it out also check the torque converter clutch solenoid for any problems - cracks, proper function. It's an on/off solenoid so it should be either open or closed. Readily accessible with the pan off.

 

Guys,

I guess I will let someone else rebuild my tranny. I talked to the guys at Finish Line Transmission. Does anyone here have any experience them? There pricing is about $1,800.00 with TC.

Thanks,
Sam

 

Is that with stock components, fluid included, and a warranty?

 

I had the same thing happen to me on an 87 700r recently. doesnt need a rebuild, just the repairs the guys above are talking about.

 

Yeah, the lockup clutch is part of the converter so a new converter will take care of that. Question is why did it go? That's why you want to check the solenoid and fluid pressures.

$1800 isn't a bad deal if they do it right. I spent more that that doing it myself, although a good part of it was for tools. The transmission was actually rebuilt just before I bought the car but it only lasted 10k miles. That was because the rebuilder neglected to replace a $30 bearing. They did a nice job, but reused hard parts that should have been replaced.

 

Yes, stock components,no fluid, 6 month warranty.

I have changed my mind though, I am going to rebuild or repair. The tranny is out so I am going to do some checking and hopefully get some help on the forum so I can properly assess the condition of this transmission.
93cruiser

 

I would suggest investing 30 bucks in the "Zank" video.

Available here and many other places.