When To Rebuild A Transmission

cduke123 · March 15, 2009

I have a 2002 Yukon XL 4WD w/95,000 miles. I occassionally hear a clunk when sifting out of park and it does not operate as smoothly as it once did. I have been told that many, if not most, of these transmissions need to be rebuilt at some point after 100,000 miles. Is this true?

I prefer to fix a problem before it fails so that it is done on my terms. How would I determine if I should rebuild the transmission? I don't have money burning a hole in my pocket, but I would like to find a place who can rebuild it for a reasonable price if it is failing and do so around my schedule.

I don't put very many miles on it right now because of my current job and usually drive it 1.5 to 5 miles miles at a time.

superjim · March 15, 2009

I have a 2002 Yukon XL 4WD w/95,000 miles. I occassionally hear a clunk when sifting out of park and it does not operate as smoothly as it once did. I have been told that many, if not most, of these transmissions need to be rebuilt at some point after 100,000 miles. Is this true?

I don't put very many miles on it right now because of my current job and usually drive it 1.5 to 5 miles miles at a time.

When was the last time the fluid was changed?

This could affect the smoothness of the transmission.

The CLUNK may be as simple as a worn u-joint and not the transmission at all.

I would investigate a lot of other possibilities before dropping a couple of grand on rebuilding a transmission that may not need it.

Dexgto · March 21, 2009

I only rebuild the trans when it quits moving or im bored

DofD · March 21, 2009

I would say that if a transmission has been treated well and maintained well, it should last long past 100k miles. Like Jim suggests, have the U joints check, have the fluid flushed and changed, as well as the filter. You could also drop the pan and see if there is any unusual debris in there as well.

Quik · March 21, 2009

rebuild it when it quits working

ColoradoSkiCountry · March 22, 2009

To be blunt, GMs Trannies SUCK as compared to other auto makers. They don't hold up to abuse well, and well. That being said, that clunk you hear when you put the vehicle into drive could be the Slip Yoke, and likely is. As long as the tranny continues to shift smoothly between the gears and goes into all of the gears, don't touch it.

Alljackedup408 · March 26, 2009

I only rebuild the trans when it quits moving or im bored

lmao

Musclemax500 · April 15, 2009

I would go to a gm dealer and buy this grease called GM lubriplate and pack about a handful of it inside the slip yoke before u go buy one then if it don't go away check the u-joints but u are more than likely going to need a slip yoke.

ScottyBoy · April 15, 2009

I only rebuild the trans when it quits moving or im bored

lmao

+1

svensk · April 15, 2009

To be blunt, GMs Trannies SUCK as compared to other auto makers. They don't hold up to abuse well, and well. That being said, that clunk you hear when you put the vehicle into drive could be the Slip Yoke, and likely is. As long as the tranny continues to shift smoothly between the gears and goes into all of the gears, don't touch it.

Correction, the 4l60e sucks.

TexasAl · April 15, 2009

Like other said, check the u-joint and slip yoke. Also, go ahead and change the fluids and filter, and see if you have excess metal filing. If so, then that would be a good indication that your tranny has some mechanical problem,and should be rebuilt. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

ColoradoSkiCountry · April 16, 2009

Ok ok the 4L60e sucks.

asilverblazer · April 16, 2009

I know of two 60 series transmissions with over 200K miles with no rebuild. I think a blanket statement that they all suck is a little extreme. Some have good luck with them, just like some have bad luck with them. And yes, other manufactures have built some pretty lame ducks too. Besides they can't be too bad, they are warrantied for 100K miles now. If everyone was rebuilding them at 95K miles I doubt GM would risk rebuilding that many on there nickel.

green 788 · April 17, 2009

...yeah, the 4L80's are actually the most popular street tranny for drag cars.

The Ford E4OD is the real lemon out there in HD trucks. Ford has a better one now, but for a long time in the late 80's and through most of the 90's they were using the E4OD in HD trucks as well as their F150's. This transmission worked fine in the 1/2 ton F150's, but wasn't up to the task in the heavier trucks, especially when they were worked hard.

I rebuilt my 4L80E at 203,000 miles, for what it's worth. It began to shift all screwy, especially between 3rd and 4th gears. But at 200K+ miles it was due a freshening up.