Topic: auto tranny symptoms

[stan98tj]

ugh, so this is not good...
tranny has been acting up recently..can basically hear it whining throughout all the gears. reverse takes a bit of time to engage and there is a hesitation or lag in between gears. filled up the fluid last week to see if that would change anything. then today i got on the highway and it didnt want to shift out of second..basically was stuck at 4500rpms and 40 or 45mph.
SO im gonna have to bring it into a tranny shop and see what happens. Since i dont really know whats what mechanically speaking in the tranny, im not really sure what to expect. Anyone have any pointers on what this could be-best/worst case scenario. Id like to have a few ideas around so i dont get screwed by a greedy mechanic. The only thought in my head now is "Well stan, it's toast and this is gonna cost u a grand or more..." My college student wallet cant handle that at the moment...
-stan

[sharpxmen]

i can't help you much with the auto-tranny but my suggestion before you go to the mechanic is to get some pricing on used ones, locally and from car-part.com - if he's asking for more than what another used one costs i'd say don't do it. Some wreckyards would also install them, so you might want to ask about that as well (they give you warranty with that) - just a suggestion.

[stan98tj]

i can't help you much with the auto-tranny but my suggestion before you go to the mechanic is to get some pricing on used ones, locally and from car-part.com - if he's asking for more than what another used one costs i'd say don't do it. Some wreckyards would also install them, so you might want to ask about that as well (they give you warranty with that) - just a suggestion.

i checked car-part a few days ago and the pricing was kinda high..500 bucks for a 100k transmission is a bit much. i did find a rebuilt 904 online for 660...if its worst case and the tranny is shot i may have to bite the bullet and buy that. i just hope the 904 is the same as the 30rh (or is it 32rh?) that is in there now.

[drunkencityworker]

in chicago it was 1200 to rebuild mine,600 for a reliable(junk yard that pulls part for you)but a 6month warranty, I found a used one on cl for 275 with a tcase. If you go with a used one I wouldnt buy one if fluid looks new and obviously not burnt.
It might be worth your while to drop the pan and replace filter and top off with new fluid. an hour and 20bucks might just save it or at least worth a try

[stan98tj]

Torque converter blew. I was takin tests this week, had no time, no transportation and no experience with auto trannies...so i let the shop bill me a cool 1300 bucks for an overhaul....kinda took the wind out of the fact that i passed my tests and became a 3rd mate today...oh well..at least it will shift better then before (better then ive ever had it) and maybe ill get to feel some of those add ons it has

[sharpxmen]

Torque converter blew. I was takin tests this week, had no time, no transportation and no experience with auto trannies...so i let the shop bill me a cool 1300 bucks for an overhaul....kinda took the wind out of the fact that i passed my tests and became a 3rd mate today...oh well..at least it will shift better then before (better then ive ever had it) and maybe ill get to feel some of those add ons it has

they're rebuilding the transmission b/c of a bad converter? 

$1300 seems steep just for that - why not just replace it and keep the tranny as it is?

[stan98tj]

they're rebuilding the transmission b/c of a bad converter? 

$1300 seems steep just for that - why not just replace it and keep the tranny as it is?

apparently when it blew it messed with other stuff and it basically had to be overhauled. when i go to pick it up tomorrow, im going to ask to see all the parts they swapped out from my tranny. he also did my rear u-joints. But like i said, no time, no ride, no experience with the actual parts of an auto tranny i basically had to bring it in and get it fixed.

[drunkencityworker]

Well since you spent the money you might want to protect your investment. Mopar makes a deep pan which allows more fluid and keeps from neutraling out in odd camber and incline decline situations. A huge aftermarket cooler can be had for about 50 and a temp gauge isnt a bad idea. If you get in the muck or like water crossings relocating the vent is an extremely good idea. I did the vent ,cooler, and deep pan after I swamped mine . actually my avatar picture is when it got swamped. I will post links up for ya when I have more time

[oldjeep]

they're rebuilding the transmission b/c of a bad converter? 

$1300 seems steep just for that - why not just replace it and keep the tranny as it is?

When the tc blows it sends metal into the rest of the tranny.

Figure $150 for the TC, $200 or so for the rebuild kit, and the rest was all fluid, shop supplies and labor.  Probabally took them as long to pull and reinstall the trans than it did to rebuild it.  A TF type trans only takes about 2 hours to completely strip and rebuild if you have a decent parts washer.

[sharpxmen]

When the tc blows it sends metal into the rest of the tranny.

Figure $150 for the TC, $200 or so for the rebuild kit, and the rest was all fluid, shop supplies and labor.  Probabally took them as long to pull and reinstall the trans than it did to rebuild it.  A TF type trans only takes about 2 hours to completely strip and rebuild if you have a decent parts washer.

so how do you prevent that? (my jeep has a manual but i have a ghetto camaro with an auto which had the tranny replaced once, works good so far but this got me thinking).

[drunkencityworker]

Good deep pan write up
http://www.gljt.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=6414
relocating vent. I ran mine up dipstick to hood.
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/relocating-vent-32rh-3-speed-auto-462033/#post4211448

[drunkencityworker]

When the tc blows it sends metal into the rest of the tranny.

Figure $150 for the TC, $200 or so for the rebuild kit, and the rest was all fluid, shop supplies and labor.  Probabally took them as long to pull and reinstall the trans than it did to rebuild it.  A TF type trans only takes about 2 hours to completely strip and rebuild if you have a decent parts washer.

Really...I have an extra trans I would like to attempt to rebuild in the future but I cant find a rebuild kit that replaces the clutch packs that cheap...usually around 400 from what I have seen tho I have been known to be proven wrong

[oldjeep]

Really...I have an extra trans I would like to attempt to rebuild in the future but I cant find a rebuild kit that replaces the clutch packs that cheap...usually around 400 from what I have seen tho I have been known to be proven wrong

Here's a HP kit.  The regular kits are only $103
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TORQUEFLITE-904-TRANSMISSION-HP-MASTER-REBUILD-72-ON_W0QQitemZ7999945640QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item1dcd57ba8


$400 would be an insane price for a torqflite rebuild kit.  There just are not that many parts, a drunken monkey can rebuild them.  Even an AW4 rebuild kit only costs about $220 - and there are a ton of parts in those.

[oldjeep]

Super cheap transgo kit $93 (which you should be able to buy locally at any trans supply store)

http://www.auto-repair-manuals.com/Chrysler-Torqueflite-6-A904-30RH-A998-31RH-A999-32RH-Transmission-1972-Up-Deluxe-Rebuild-kit.html

[oldjeep]

so how do you prevent that? (my jeep has a manual but i have a ghetto camaro with an auto which had the tranny replaced once, works good so far but this got me thinking).

You don't, unless you just preemtively replace the TC.  There's not really a good way to know when a TC is going to blow, and it's not like it's a frequent occurance.