so i was driving down the road when i got stopped at a redlight. so i decided i was going to tromp on it when it changed.(bad idea)

well when i did and the car went to shift into second the ring and pinion gears locked up and shattered, but when that happened i heard a loud bang and it felt like the trans was going to come thru the floor.

i putts home. changed the rearend.

went back out ran fine for a few miles. went to get on it again and got the same loud bang (scared the wife to death and she started to cry...that loud)
and that was when i lost 3rd and 4th.

to this day i have 1st, 2nd, and rev. but no 3rd and 4th. why no 3rd and 4th, and what was the loud bang?

 

Could be a couple things.

1: 3-4 clutch is gone.
2: solenoids are gone

More than anything the 3-4 clutches. There was someone who had the solenoids break off and that caused it too.

 

The snap ring that holds the 3-4 clutches in the input drum has blown the retaining lugs out...

Frank

 

is this hard to fix?

thank you for your time

 

It's going to require pulling the trans out and going inside it. If this is what broke, you'll have to get the whole input drum replaced. We charge $75 for the drum, itself (as a "hard part"). You'll probably also have to replace the 3-4 clutches, as well as any other parts the aluminum chunks have torn up.

This might be a good time to look into a rebuild.

Frank

 

I can get a used working 4l60e for $350. is that cheaper than a rebuild? And if i get the other trans will my shift kit and valvebody along with the thin black metal sheet be interchangable?

thanks for your time and your help.

 

Remember a couple things before buying a used 4L60E. They are model year specific, which means only a few years are interchangeable. A used transmission is going to have the same design flaws, unless it's been rebuilt. Even if it has been rebuilt, did the person know what they were doing?

$350 sounds great, initially. What if it doesn't work?...Or only lasts a short time? Then you've got to pull it back out and have it rebuilt anyway. Then you'd be out the extra $350 that you could've put toward a good rebuild.

The shift kit parts will interchange. The thin black sheet you're referring to is probably the seperator plate gasket. Chances are, they'll rip when you take the valvebody off. I wouldn't chance reusing them, even if they don't.

Frank

 

Yeah, i was actualy talking about the seperator plate. i only have about fifty miles on the shift kit.

 

Unlees you are sure of the history, or are going to dump the car, a used tranny makes no sense. I'd say you are up for a rebuild. Fix any hard parts that are broken and replace the soft parts. Also replace the converter if there are any loose pieces floating around.

Rich

 

i'm actualy considering rebuilding it my self.
thank you 12scndz, i just dont have the cash right now.
i figure i did the shift kit and it was easy and i love learning new things.
i may be asking some people from here for some guidance though, like where to get a good manual?

 

:x

 

The ATSG manuals are pretty good, and the Technical video (from what others tell me) seems to be good also. If you are going to "attempt" to build this yourself?, I would have someone you know & trust (and has a pretty good knowledge of these units) help you out on this the first time. The right parts are needed to do this correctly, and if I can be of help here, let me know?

 

The only thing I'm gonna add is this...A 4L60E is definitely NOT a "beginners transmission". There are way too many updates and modifications that need to be done to one to make it work/last. There are too many things that can be put together wrong. The ATSG manual would be helpful, but it only tells you how to get it back together. Any clue on how many mods we do to these things?

Frank

 

I would second Frank's comments. I can, and will rebuild a race 'glide. There is enough info out there that even if I didn't have someone experienced to help (which I am lucky enough to have) it would be possible to do a decent job. But I think there is a lot less info out there wrt the 4L60E and the tranny is quite a bit more complicated. I don't mean to sound negative, but I don't think the 4L60E is what I would choose for my first rebuild on an automatic.

Rich

 

There are also quite a few specialty tools needed to tear one apart and rebuild it. The correct tools will run you between around $500. Let's figure this out...$500 for tools + $250-$500 for part + $700-$800 for a good converter. Not to mention removal / install labor. Remember, if you mess something up, and it shed debris through the converter, you'll have to have it cut and cleaned. If you mess something up and it destroys hard parts in the transmission, that'll cost alot more than if you had it built by a professional the first time.
I know everyone tries to save money. There are simply some areas where you spend MORE from trying to save some. I also know we all take pride in doing something ourselves. I build automatic transmissions for a living, but there are other automotive things I'd rather pay a professional to do for me, because I know it's going to cost less in the long run. Yes, $1000 is alot to swallow for a transmission rebuild...but...so is $1500 for something that you tried yourself, and it still isn't right.

Frank