C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Installing speed sensor in transmission

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 11, 2014 | 01:19 PM
  #1  
samsonb's Avatar
samsonb
Thread Starter
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
Default Installing speed sensor in transmission

Got a 700R4. Had a leaking speed sensor (VSS) oring. Removed the speed sensor and put on the blue GM oring. Lubbed it up with transmission fluid, but the VSS won't press into the transmission housing.

When the oring on the VSS hits the transmission, the VSS won't press in any further.

Is there a special tool or something needed to press the VSS in?

Last edited by samsonb; Feb 16, 2014 at 08:23 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2014 | 01:27 PM
  #2  
WVZR-1's Avatar
WVZR-1
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,348
Likes: 2,728
Default

Originally Posted by samsonb
Got a 700R4. Had a leaking speed sensor (VSS) oring. Removed the speed sensor and put on the blue GM oring. Lubbed it up with transmission fluid, but the VSS won't press into the transmission housing.

When the oring on the VSS hits the transmission, the VSS won't press in any further.

Is there a special tool or something needed to press the VSS in?

Tried to see if I could hammer it in, but not enough room.

Here's what the speed sensor looks like:


And do the gears self align and automatically mesh when installing the VSS, or is it possible the gears could get smashed up?
The VSS needs to be properly orientated for the drive/driven to mesh correctly. That I would assume is your issue. If that is the style of VSS you have with the connector in the center the retaining device will show you the correct orientation of the VSS. It might require some "wiggle" but it should NOT require what would normally be considered "force". No hammers!

Do you recall the part # of the seal that you purchased?
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2014 | 01:53 PM
  #3  
samsonb's Avatar
samsonb
Thread Starter
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
Default

Originally Posted by WVZR-1
The VSS needs to be properly orientated for the drive/driven to mesh correctly. That I would assume is your issue. If that is the style of VSS you have with the connector in the center the retaining device will show you the correct orientation of the VSS. It might require some "wiggle" but it should NOT require what would normally be considered "force". No hammers!

Do you recall the part # of the seal that you purchased?
I've got the VSS started into the hole to the point where the oring first hits the transmission. Then I screwed on the retainer so I could get the two VSS square pieces lined up with the two forks on the retainer. But the VSS won't go in any further.

I do know it was very difficult to get the VSS out of the transmission. Had to put channel locks on the outer metal piece and rock and rotate it out.

I used the #15552872 blue oring from the dealer. I had read it was the updated version of the original oring, as the original part number for the oring out of my GM parts catalog isn't good anymore. The original part number from the catalog is #25518664.

Last edited by samsonb; Feb 11, 2014 at 01:59 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2014 | 02:06 PM
  #4  
WVZR-1's Avatar
WVZR-1
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,348
Likes: 2,728
Default

Originally Posted by samsonb
I've got the VSS started into the hole to the point where the oring first hits the transmission. Then I screwed on the retainer so I could get the two VSS square pieces lined up with the two forks on the retainer. But the VSS won't go in any further.

I do know it was very difficult to get the VSS out of the transmission. Had to put channel locks on the outer metal piece and rock and rotate it out.

I used the #15552872 blue oring from the dealer. I had read it was the updated version of the original oring, as the original part number for the oring out of my GM parts catalog isn't good anymore. The original part number from the catalog is #25518664.
You've got the correct part and there shouldn't be issues. An exception could have been IF the rear ratio was changed and someone has rotated the VSS to accommodate a larger gear then there would be issues. How many teeth are on your driven gear and what is the VSS color. White is for gears up to 39 tooth and a black VSS would be for 40+ tooth counts.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2014 | 03:25 PM
  #5  
WVZR-1's Avatar
WVZR-1
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,348
Likes: 2,728
Default

[QUOTE=samsonb;1586147524]The plug on VSS is black, the gear is green. I looked it up and looks like the green gear is supposed to have 42 teeth. 3.07 rear end.

The VSS was oriented correctly with the retainer when I had removed it.

Your parts are all correct.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2014 | 05:52 PM
  #6  
samsonb's Avatar
samsonb
Thread Starter
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
Default

Originally Posted by WVZR-1
Your parts are all correct.
It's definitely the oring. Removed the green gear and tried to install the VSS, and it wouldn't go in. The VSS stops going in when the oring hits the transmission housing. Looks to me like there isn't any clearance for the oring.

What grease is safe to use on the oring? I had put on transmission fluid to lube it for install.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2014 | 06:07 PM
  #7  
WVZR-1's Avatar
WVZR-1
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,348
Likes: 2,728
Default

Originally Posted by samsonb
It's definitely the oring. Removed the green gear and tried to install the VSS, and it wouldn't go in. The VSS stops going in when the oring hits the transmission housing. Looks to me like there isn't any clearance for the oring.

What grease is safe to use on the oring? I had put on transmission fluid to lube it for install.
You can use most anything as a "lubricant". Vaseline should be everywhere! Remove the o-ring and fit the VSS to the transmission without it and see what you've got. Lubricate both the VSS and also the bore of the tail-shaft housing when assembling.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2014 | 07:59 PM
  #8  
383vett's Avatar
383vett
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,697
Likes: 1,666
From: moraga ca
Default

Vaseline will be fine. That's one heck of an oring. I can see why you are having trouble. The orientation is only important so the retainng fork lines up. The gears will mesh with no problem. If pushing doesn't do it, you'll have to get the oring started in one side with a small screwdriver without tearing the oring. Putting pressure on the housing, work your way around. The thing will eventually snap in unless you were given the wrong oring, in which case, you are up a creek. Are you sure the oring was leaking? Usually a leak in that area is caused by the vss leaking, not the oring. They sometimes go bad and leak through the terminals. Mine did that. Good luck.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 11, 2014 | 08:26 PM
  #9  
samsonb's Avatar
samsonb
Thread Starter
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
Default

Originally Posted by 383vett
Vaseline will be fine. That's one heck of an oring. I can see why you are having trouble. The orientation is only important so the retainng fork lines up. The gears will mesh with no problem. If pushing doesn't do it, you'll have to get the oring started in one side with a small screwdriver without tearing the oring. Putting pressure on the housing, work your way around. The thing will eventually snap in unless you were given the wrong oring, in which case, you are up a creek. Are you sure the oring was leaking? Usually a leak in that area is caused by the vss leaking, not the oring. They sometimes go bad and leak through the terminals. Mine did that. Good luck.
I've read the VSS should just pull out by hand. But I had to put channel locks on it to work it out.

The oring should be the correct GM blue oring.

I don't see how the VSS could leak other than from the oring.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2014 | 11:55 PM
  #10  
383vett's Avatar
383vett
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,697
Likes: 1,666
From: moraga ca
Default

Originally Posted by samsonb
I've read the VSS should just pull out by hand. But I had to put channel locks on it to work it out.

The oring should be the correct GM blue oring.

I don't see how the VSS could leak other than from the oring.
I've had to plier mine out many times. The oring really seals tightly and I don't think it leaks often. The shaft within the VSS somehow contacts the terminals. The terminals go from inside the VSS to the outside. The plastic seal around the terminals doesn't seal after a few decades. This is a common source of a leak in the VSS area. Mine leaked and a buddy of mine that owns a tranny shop said this happends often. I even tried epoxying mine but that didn't work. Dollars to donuts your problem is the VSS and not the oring.

Last edited by 383vett; Feb 11, 2014 at 11:58 PM.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Installing speed sensor in transmission





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:33 AM.

story-0
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE