Oh No...transmission Grind After Fluid/filter

sternforpres · August 30, 2009

I think I killed my 2000 Sierra. I had a low RPM, low speed 2-1 downshift clunk, so I went to my local Cottman to get everything checked out. Since I am almost at 100k, I did a transmission fluid and filter change (they DID drop the pan). They told me the rear end might be going, but just to keep running it unless it starts clunking on like 50% of the shifts.

SO, the very next day, only 12 hours after the darn fluid change, my tranny seems to have blown up. I felt a hard upshift from 1-2, a pop, then a loud whirring noise that changes with engine speed. I pulled it over and could hear the whirring (like a wah, wah, wah, and VERY loud, it sounds horrible).

I know I am going to have to get the tranny pulled, and hope its not a total rebuild. Anyone know if this might just be a torque converter? Is it going to be better off replacing the tranny with something NON-GM? My wife wants to keep it forever, but its only worth like 5K, is it worth dumping 2.5K into it with 100k on it?

Matt_ · August 30, 2009

#1: did the shop properly fill the trans

#2: did they use the correct fluid

#3: did they install the filter correctly

I used to be a tech.... so im not all for pointing blame right away at the shops. BUT, for a trans to blow 12 hours after a fluid change isn't right. The low speed/low RPM downshift cluck could be a number of things; that's generally not an indication of transmission failure (more like the output shaft splines, U joint, or backlash in the carrier)

dlewis1111 · August 30, 2009

I think I killed my 2000 Sierra. I had a low RPM, low speed 2-1 downshift clunk, so I went to my local Cottman to get everything checked out. Since I am almost at 100k, I did a transmission fluid and filter change (they DID drop the pan). They told me the rear end might be going, but just to keep running it unless it starts clunking on like 50% of the shifts.

SO, the very next day, only 12 hours after the darn fluid change, my tranny seems to have blown up. I felt a hard upshift from 1-2, a pop, then a loud whirring noise that changes with engine speed. I pulled it over and could hear the whirring (like a wah, wah, wah, and VERY loud, it sounds horrible).

I know I am going to have to get the tranny pulled, and hope its not a total rebuild. Anyone know if this might just be a torque converter? Is it going to be better off replacing the tranny with something NON-GM? My wife wants to keep it forever, but its only worth like 5K, is it worth dumping 2.5K into it with 100k on it?

Does the truck still drive? And if so, what gears do you have and not have? Do you have reverse? You talk about not being a total rebuild....If the tranny is out, all the parts have to be removed for a repair anyway, and the price difference between the kit to fix the problem and the overhaul kit is not even fifty bucks.

sternforpres · August 30, 2009

I had a friend look at the fluid with me, it looked new and at the right level. I don't know about the filter.

I was able to drive it for about a quarter mile to get it safely off the road, I think I could have driven it further. I know I have first and second gear still and probably all the foward gears, did not dare move it after I had pulled over.

I agree, the fluid change altered something...maybe just dislodged some gunk and clogged something? I trust the shop I brought it to, I think, but I don't think they are going to take responsibility for the new problems tho.

I had it towed to the tranny shop that did the work, so will have more info Monday. Anyone have an opinion on which is better, a total rebuild or a GM factory rebuit unit (if it gets that far)? Thanks

Irv · August 30, 2009

I had a friend look at the fluid with me, it looked new and at the right level. I don't know about the filter.

I was able to drive it for about a quarter mile to get it safely off the road, I think I could have driven it further. I know I have first and second gear still and probably all the foward gears, did not dare move it after I had pulled over.

I agree, the fluid change altered something...maybe just dislodged some gunk and clogged something? I trust the shop I brought it to, I think, but I don't think they are going to take responsibility for the new problems tho.

I had it towed to the tranny shop that did the work, so will have more info Monday. Anyone have an opinion on which is better, a total rebuild or a GM factory rebuit unit (if it gets that far)? Thanks

Sounds like the Sun Shell gear to me? I recently did my 97 Sierra before I sold it.

If you plan on keeping the truck, make sure you get the new updated hardened gears to replace it. It is a common problem from what I understand. Mine cost $2,250.00 Canadian to fix mine but I was told I paid a premium

http://www.automotiveforums.com/t700333-19...nny_issues.html

96chevy7.4L · August 30, 2009

the gm replacement units come with a 3 year 50,000 mile warranty. can't go wrong and they fix it any gm dealer. I bought 3 trucks ago and it was great couldn't beat it. The 700R4 was 850 out the door with a new converter. The 4le65 will prob be more. But just my opinion.

WilliamBos · August 30, 2009

WHo did your trans?? If mine ever blows, I do not want to put a wrecking yard trans in, for fear the same thing could happen sooner than later.

Sounds like the Sun Shell gear to me? I recently did my 97 Sierra before I sold it.

If you plan on keeping the truck, make sure you get the new updated hardened gears to replace it. It is a common problem from what I understand. Mine cost $2,250.00 Canadian to fix mine but I was told I paid a premium

http://www.automotiveforums.com/t700333-19...nny_issues.html

brims · August 30, 2009

When my trans goes I'm getting it built to better specs, no stock replacement for me. I want the trans to last.

sternforpres · August 31, 2009

Back from Cottman...dropped the pan, filter still in place and ok...LOTs of black powder in the bottom of the pan, lots of sludge type material on the magnet. No reverse, so its a total rebuild. Got a reasonable rebuild price of about 1700-1800 out the door with a 2 year, 24k warrantee, for 100 more I can get one more year and 50k miles, not sure if its worth it, we only put about 12k a year on it.

Price includes replacing everything as new and:

"Beast" sun shell (and the upgraded piece that fits into it)

Bore and resleeve the TTC

Rebuilt torque converter straight from GM

They didn't know any reason to remove the 5 springs on the 3-4 clutch. They told me it would probably produce a real hard upshift from 3rd to 4th...can anyone explain to a newbie why I should get him to remove them? He may not anyway, based upon the warrantee.

Price seems reasonable to me...what do you guys think?

jrrod2004 · August 31, 2009

Back from Cottman...dropped the pan, filter still in place and ok...LOTs of black powder in the bottom of the pan, lots of sludge type material on the magnet. No reverse, so its a total rebuild. Got a reasonable rebuild price of about 1700-1800 out the door with a 2 year, 24k warrantee, for 100 more I can get one more year and 50k miles, not sure if its worth it, we only put about 12k a year on it.

Price includes replacing everything as new and:

"Beast" sun shell (and the upgraded piece that fits into it)

Bore and resleeve the TTC

Rebuilt torque converter straight from GM

They didn't know any reason to remove the 5 springs on the 3-4 clutch. They told me it would probably produce a real hard upshift from 3rd to 4th...can anyone explain to a newbie why I should get him to remove them? He may not anyway, based upon the warrantee.

Price seems reasonable to me...what do you guys think?

Its seems ok, the new Serta transmissions from GM carry a 3 yr /100 k warranty (unless the warranty was revamped within the last yr or so)

dlewis1111 · September 1, 2009

Back from Cottman...dropped the pan, filter still in place and ok...LOTs of black powder in the bottom of the pan, lots of sludge type material on the magnet. No reverse, so its a total rebuild. Got a reasonable rebuild price of about 1700-1800 out the door with a 2 year, 24k warrantee, for 100 more I can get one more year and 50k miles, not sure if its worth it, we only put about 12k a year on it.

Price includes replacing everything as new and:

"Beast" sun shell (and the upgraded piece that fits into it)

Bore and resleeve the TTC

Rebuilt torque converter straight from GM

They didn't know any reason to remove the 5 springs on the 3-4 clutch. They told me it would probably produce a real hard upshift from 3rd to 4th...can anyone explain to a newbie why I should get him to remove them? He may not anyway, based upon the warrantee.

Price seems reasonable to me...what do you guys think?

Uh, you need to remove the springs to get to the 3-4 clutch pack to replace the steels and the discs......you know the total rebuild thingy.....

sternforpres · September 1, 2009

The didn't know any reason to PERMANENTLY remove those springs...I have seen some people say "throw them away"

ie...The inside parts from a 700R4 and 4L60E interchange except the valve body and wiring.One improvement in the 700R4s and 4L60Es are inside the direct drum,which have 5 black springs.GM says to put them back in and the aftermarket says to throw them away.The aftermarket found out those 5 black spring restrict the clutches from floating,burn up the top clutch first and burning up the rest right away.

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They didn't know any reason to remove the 5 springs on the 3-4 clutch.

Uh, you need to remove the springs to get to the 3-4 clutch pack to replace the steels and the discs......you know the total rebuild thingy.....