50k miles: Transmission Questions

[ebod]

My 2001 Suburban (1500 2wd) just crossed 50,000 miles. What transmission servicing needs to be done at this point? To date, the only transmission stuff that I've done is to change the fluid, through the drain plug, not a flush. My dealer recommends a flush, but I've heard that flushes can do more harm than good.

 

Also, the steering clunk is back. My sense is that this time the dealer won't do it for free (my truck is out of warranty, but they've done the "intermediate shaft lube" a couple of times for free for me). Is there a permanent fix for this? Is fixing this something better left to a dealer (god knows, that they've seen this a million times) or can any gas station mechanic do it?

 

Finally, if the tranmission servicing I need is complex, does anyone have good recommendations for an independent shop in West Los Angeles (I'd like to avoid my dealer if possible)? Is such servicing something to trust to an AAMCO-type chain?

 

Thanks in advance!

[ken1mod]

Never trust aamco---ever. just follow the factory recommendation. drop pan, change filter. add 4-5 qts fluid and enjoy your truck.

 

Ken

[C & A s Dad]

E bod, I would stay away from the flush job. Simply drop the pan and change the filter, clean the magnet and fill er back up but be sure to not over fill it. This causes more harm than running it low. If you are towing with the truck, I recommend replacing the fluid with a good syn like Amsoil. It is not necessary but it will help if you are towing and in high heat situations. If you do not want to go through the flush, I would at least add a bottle of Lubegard, part # 60902. This is a wonderful product and is used by most all Prof Trans Shops in the country. If you do the flush and change to Syn, I would not use the Lubegard, it is not needed and Amsoil does not recommend it with Syn fluids.

 

I have a good friend with a Burb in the trans shop right now. It is an 2000 model with 115K and the trans is gone. He had never serviced it and knew that he should but just never got around to it.

 

I would check with your dealer on the steering clunk, you may be surprised.