Transmission, Mine went what is the adverage price

[phillyturbosix]

Well it looks like my transmission is toast. Makes a grinding sound in first. 2nd is fine and 3rd but when it goes to overdrive makes the grinding sound again. Also does it in reverse. I took it to the shop and he said it's gonna need a rebuild. It still shifts fine but he said the computer will make up for the failing transmission and make it seem all is well till it just stops one day.

Trans shop says 1500 to rebuild it. All new guts, torque converter, rebuild the electronics, and everything else they do. I guess for a trans like that it's a ok price.

 

So let me know when yours went. Or if it didn't. My truck has 79K on it now. And I don't beat on it. Changed the trans fluid a few times over the years as well. Thank god for mister credit card!

[simsmarine]

That sucks, but 1500.00 is a good quote. I'd be standing over his shoulder during the whole process though, if at all possible.

I know they "hate that" but it's the only way I'd have any confidence in the work.

 

4L60E ?

[MCourson]

Original 4l60E here at 192,600

[waynetd]

My 98 extcab Z71 with the 4L60E has almost 78,000 miles on it and it still shifts great. I just replaced the filter and fluid the other day and the inside of my pan was almost spotless. The magnet had a little buildup on it but the rest of the pan was clean. I have a drainplug in my pan so I drop and refill the fluid about every 6,000 miles so I always have pretty fresh fluid in it. Its probably overkill but I've heard to many horror stories about these trannies and had a bad experience with one myself.

 

I had the 4L60E in my 93 S-10 4x4 that I bought new and did 15,000 miles fluid and filter changes. I also added a tranny cooler to it. The tranny started going out at about 37,000 miles. I hope mine lasts quite a while.

 

Wayne

[phillyturbosix]

wow 192K on the original! d**n.. Well this is the luck I have. I don't beat on my stuff and don't pull or haul anything but transmissions seem to like to go on me I'm still driving it. It's weird it shifts totally fine.. just has this god aweful grinding sound when going thru first and then in overdrive. Just hate to dump 1500 into it. Tight on cash right now so I guess I'll dump it on the credit card and pay it off in time.. Guess I'll start changing the fluid at least ever 10K

 

MCourson: How often do you change the fluid? What are your driving conditions?

 

The trans guy said with 79K on my truck the transmission is considered 75% worn out by then!

[99-2door]

Mileage is a poor indicator of how worn anything on a truck is.

The nature of anything mechanical is to eventually fail. I've had lots of trucks with over 100K miles and no problems with the trannies. The only tranny problem I've ever had was a 97 2wd that went at about 80K miles. I put another tranny into it and drove it for another 20K with no problems. Just one of those things. Believe it or not we had a 95 shop tuck that had 350K on the original 5.0L engine and 4L60e tranny.

[mcreyaufmiller]

I have 140k on my 98. I put in a shift kit at around 110k and have no problem. Philly, there is a great shop here in Delaware that is about the same price and they have a great rep for their work. They are known for their work in the area. Del-Trans on Old Baltimore Pike in Newark.

[phillyturbosix]

Thanks for the info guys! Mike C I'll check that out! So you think a shift kit makes a difference on helping the trans last longer? I know milage is hard factor to judge when a trans is going to let go but your 97 went at 80K and that's where I'm at! The trans guy shocked me when he said a truck with 80K on it is considered 70% worn out. This guy did alot of race transmissions as well. If I have to rebuild something I just like to make it last as long as possible. How often do you guys think the trans fluid should be changed to prolong the life of the trans? The only plus side is once I do this I'll have everything from the trans back pretty much rebuilt. My mech just did rear axel bearings and seals as they were worn.

 

Is there anything I should have the trans guy do that is something simple or cheap that will make it a better trans? Thanks again guys for all your posts and help on this! This board is the besT!

[mcreyaufmiller]

I changed my fluid first at 90k. I believe the shift kit does make the tranny last longer. the kit increases pump pressure and changes the direction of the flow in a few places. With the increased flow, the tranny works better and does not starve for fluid. The other thing I would have done is the 4th piston to be replaced with a metal piston. I started having problems with my tranny at 90k and installed the shift kit, I have not had a problem since.

[desrtrat]

.

 

Is there anything I should have the trans guy do that is something simple or cheap that will make it a better trans? Thanks again guys for all your posts and help on this! This board is the besT! 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

from the looks of the pics of your truck, it looks like a keeper.

i would spend the extra money and up grade to a 4L65e, shift kit, vette servo set up for

ferm shifts and NOT KILLER NECK BREAK SHIFTS !!!! also a good after market trans.cooler rated at 24000 or above. this should give long life to your tranny for years too come

 

good luck

 

[phillyturbosix]

thanks for the posts guys! She is going in tomorrow. One good point I just found out my brother like grew up with the guy who owns this trans shop so I should get some good service and a better price. I told him about the shift kit. I does install one that is mild where it won't snap your neck but it builds the pressure in the trans. He also said they use a corvette servo already in these transmissions. I wish I had the money to make it better but for now I'll go with as strong as I can without going broke! I'll let you know the total and what he's done when I get it back. He said about 2 days to do it up!

[ridnlow]

Welcome to the Club! Mine just went at 73K... If everything goes right I should be giving FLP or Jag Performance a call in the next couple of days.

[phillyturbosix]

Well got my truck back today. It shifts awesome! This guy is really good. He upgraded all my electronics and gave me a new upgraded shift kit. The shifts are nice and firm but smooth as well. The plant gears failed was the main issue. This sent debree all thru the trans causing the full rebuild. The pan was loaded with metal chuncks when he dropped it. Some of the parts and stuff he did..

-Master overhaul kit

-torque converter

-OD Plantgears

-EPC solenoid

-flushed entire system inc trans cooler

-Plus all the other ods and ends that come with it

 

He used a corvette servo and the pistons are steel. The kit he uses comes with them. It came out to be 12 hours labor and he charges $78 an hour so it was $1700 total with tax and all. I think it was a pretty good price for all that work. I love the way it feels now so hopefully I'm good for the rest of the truck's life with me! I told him ever 10K or so I'm bringing it back for fluid changes!

 

So that's my transmission sauga. Now others will know what to expect!

[Garage Mechanic's Companion]

Good to hear your up and running again!! Sounds like your tranny is working like they all should. Just curious, what shift kit did you put in?

 

Cheers,

 

Derek

[phillyturbosix]

thanks Derek.. He said it was a few steps up from stock. One thing I noticed driving around today is it kicks down now when slowing down! It never did that.. once you were under say 50 or so and you let off the gas it would almost never kick down untill you started braking. Now it kicks down like it should. Feels great to drive it around again. Nothing like getting some majot work done like this so now I have something to listen for while I drive The only thing that drives me nuts is no matter when or where you take your car or truck.. it smells like parts cleaner for a few weeks after! If only they could test drive it with someone with fresh clothes on!