Lost 3rd gear the other day
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 4,529
Likes: 41
From: CA
C5 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '19-'20
Lost 3rd gear
My 2003 Anniversary Edition is having transmission problems. It's an automatic, pan was half full with burnt fluid. I took it into a local shop today to get an estimate said they'd get back to me tomorrow, I think the transmission is going to need a rebuild. Anyone want to take a guess what it's going to cost to fix me up at transmission shop?
Last edited by coletrickle35; Oct 30, 2019 at 12:14 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,404
Likes: 1,594
From: Western NY
Back in the mid-late 90s, I had a couple of GM overdrive automatics rebuilt, by a professional rebuilder, who also did this kind of work "on the side", out of the garage at his home. However, his "side jobs" did not include the R&R work, you had to bring him the transmission yourself. He used only top quality parts, and included a re-maned torque converter, and the cost of the parts and his labor, was around $800. I'm sure that the parts cost would, of course, be more today, so if he were still doing this work, it probably be closer to $1000 (RIP, Joe.....
).
OP, this doesn't exactly answer your question, but figure the transmission rebuild will be about $1000-1200, plus the additional labor to R&R the tranny from your car.....
).OP, this doesn't exactly answer your question, but figure the transmission rebuild will be about $1000-1200, plus the additional labor to R&R the tranny from your car.....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 276
From: Wichita Falls Texas
Please keep us informed of what it cost.
I have an 03 vert with the A4 and right now I don't have any issues but I am curious about what happens to you.
How many miles were on your 03?
Good luck!
I have an 03 vert with the A4 and right now I don't have any issues but I am curious about what happens to you.
How many miles were on your 03?
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 4,529
Likes: 41
From: CA
C5 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '19-'20
Back in the mid-late 90s, I had a couple of GM overdrive automatics rebuilt, by a professional rebuilder, who also did this kind of work "on the side", out of the garage at his home. However, his "side jobs" did not include the R&R work, you had to bring him the transmission yourself. He used only top quality parts, and included a re-maned torque converter, and the cost of the parts and his labor, was around $800. I'm sure that the parts cost would, of course, be more today, so if he were still doing this work, it probably be closer to $1000 (RIP, Joe.....).
OP, this doesn't exactly answer your question, but figure the transmission rebuild will be about $1000-1200, plus the additional labor to R&R the tranny from your car.....
).OP, this doesn't exactly answer your question, but figure the transmission rebuild will be about $1000-1200, plus the additional labor to R&R the tranny from your car.....
I will keep this thread going so all my fellow motorists we'll have some current prices as a guideline any other advice is welcome
Last edited by coletrickle35; Oct 30, 2019 at 12:04 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 331
Likes: 74
From: Florida
Usually with the 4L60E people will lose 3rd and 4th gear, which happens when the forward piston accumulator seals go bad. They swell up and shrink, bypassing fluid and starving the clutch packs of fluid and burn up. I'm actually surprised you experienced just losing 3rd by its self.
Another common problem is the reaction shell. The splines are not hardened steel, that mate to the input shaft. This will completely either strip out the splines on the shell, or lock with the splines and rip the whole circular section of the shell while attached to the shaft. This is usually when you hear of someone losing all forward gears.
Here are some links below which actually show this! If I planned on keeping my car, I would maybe think about upgrading some of them. Also I'd contact sonnax to make I get the right parts because IIRC the C5s had the 30 spline count and most other F bodies and trucks with the 4L60E had a different spline count.
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2454-sm...tion-shell-kit
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2928-performance-pack
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/4583-fo...mulator-piston
Another common problem is the reaction shell. The splines are not hardened steel, that mate to the input shaft. This will completely either strip out the splines on the shell, or lock with the splines and rip the whole circular section of the shell while attached to the shaft. This is usually when you hear of someone losing all forward gears.
Here are some links below which actually show this! If I planned on keeping my car, I would maybe think about upgrading some of them. Also I'd contact sonnax to make I get the right parts because IIRC the C5s had the 30 spline count and most other F bodies and trucks with the 4L60E had a different spline count.
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2454-sm...tion-shell-kit
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2928-performance-pack
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/4583-fo...mulator-piston
Last edited by 02torchred; Oct 31, 2019 at 12:34 AM.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 4,529
Likes: 41
From: CA
C5 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '19-'20
Usually with the 4L60E people will lose 3rd and 4th gear, which happens when the forward piston accumulator seals go bad. They swell up and shrink, bypassing fluid and starving the clutch packs of fluid and burn up. I'm actually surprised you experienced just losing 3rd by its self.
Another common problem is the reaction shell. The splines are not hardened steel, that mate to the input shaft. This will completely either strip out the splines on the shell, or lock with the splines and rip the whole circular section of the shell while attached to the shaft. This is usually when you hear of someone losing all forward gears.
Here are some links below which actually show this! If I planned on keeping my car, I would maybe think about upgrading some of them. Also I'd contact sonnax to make I get the right parts because IIRC the C5s had the 30 spline count and most other F bodies and trucks with the 4L60E had a different spline count.
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2454-sm...tion-shell-kit
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2928-performance-pack
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/4583-fo...mulator-piston
Another common problem is the reaction shell. The splines are not hardened steel, that mate to the input shaft. This will completely either strip out the splines on the shell, or lock with the splines and rip the whole circular section of the shell while attached to the shaft. This is usually when you hear of someone losing all forward gears.
Here are some links below which actually show this! If I planned on keeping my car, I would maybe think about upgrading some of them. Also I'd contact sonnax to make I get the right parts because IIRC the C5s had the 30 spline count and most other F bodies and trucks with the 4L60E had a different spline count.
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2454-sm...tion-shell-kit
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2928-performance-pack
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/4583-fo...mulator-piston
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
There are several really great You Tube vids on the 4L60E and all of the improvements that SHOULD be done to it to make it more reliable. If you don't spring for the better parts its a crap shoot on how long it will last.
Good luck on the repair. Let us know what the end result is and what all was done to the trans.
Bill
Good luck on the repair. Let us know what the end result is and what all was done to the trans.
Bill
Racer
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 331
Likes: 74
From: Florida
Yeah there have been advancements, but that comes from mainly aftermarket stuff.
What does that mean in this case? "Rebuilt" is generally not as good as a "built" transmission for power and reliability. If they are just throwing OEM parts back in, that's not really advancements.
I'd ask them if it'll hold more power than stock. And if the parts are being upgraded, I'd want a receipt of the sonnax parts. The price difference is marginal so why not use them. No problem and good luck
What does that mean in this case? "Rebuilt" is generally not as good as a "built" transmission for power and reliability. If they are just throwing OEM parts back in, that's not really advancements.
I'd ask them if it'll hold more power than stock. And if the parts are being upgraded, I'd want a receipt of the sonnax parts. The price difference is marginal so why not use them. No problem and good luck
Last edited by 02torchred; Oct 31, 2019 at 01:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 4,529
Likes: 41
From: CA
C5 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '19-'20
I talked to the transmission shop about upgrades and the owner was amazingly knowledgeable about them! He was able to upgrade my transmission on paper before my very eyes to the tune of $12,000.
so far the quote is $3,800
this is how I believe they arrived at that amount:
$1,000 to remove, 1700 dollars to rebuild, $1,000 to install and $100 give the dog a bone.
you can buy a remanufactured transmission with 5 year warranty Here $1,695 with no core deposit and free shipping.
I believe there is a book somewhere it says how many hours it takes for a mechanic to remove and replace 4 L 60 e transmission. I'm guessing it's probably 10 hours at $100 per hour.
thus far in the process I believe the internet is keeping transmission prices at a certain level depending on the application
so far the quote is $3,800
this is how I believe they arrived at that amount:
$1,000 to remove, 1700 dollars to rebuild, $1,000 to install and $100 give the dog a bone.
you can buy a remanufactured transmission with 5 year warranty Here $1,695 with no core deposit and free shipping.
I believe there is a book somewhere it says how many hours it takes for a mechanic to remove and replace 4 L 60 e transmission. I'm guessing it's probably 10 hours at $100 per hour.
thus far in the process I believe the internet is keeping transmission prices at a certain level depending on the application
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 4,529
Likes: 41
From: CA
C5 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '19-'20
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 4,529
Likes: 41
From: CA
C5 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '19-'20
Talked to the shop today just to clarify things. This is going to be a completely built transmission all the bells and whistles, shift kit, improved everything and a tune. Total magically went down to $3,700
