Looking into buying a high mileage z. The guy says the trany was rebuilt/replaced about 5k ago. Don't know if he can back that up with paperwork though. I know shift kits shift hard but can I tell if the tranny is bad?

EDIT: it is 4l60e 95

 

A slipping trans will feel much different than a shift kit. If in doubt, give it a good test drive w/ different conditions and check the fluid as well. If it was just rebuilt, the fluid should still look fairly clean. When my trans went bad there was some inconsistency in the shifts leading up to when it broke, but other than that there was no warning (lost 3rd & 4th).

 

A shift kit will feel firm, a slipping tranny will be mushy on shifts.......rpm's will go higher then they should. The fluid should be nice & clean (more reddish in color) with a rebuild 5k ago. If it looks brown or more like old motor oil, the trans has issues! How many miles on the car?
Mike

 

easiest way to tell with the 4l60e is hold it to the floor through the 1-2 shift, if it pegs the limiter the trans is bad, if it shifts fine and/or chirps the tires, it has a shift kit lol. (this probly isnt the best way to tell but it does work for the most part)