Okay I just registered over here because it seems to be like you all are the best and most knowledgeable forum for these things. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Michael, 19 years old, I drive a 2000 Silverado ext cab with the 4.8. Its like bone stock right now but hopefully won't be much longer. If you have any other questions feel free to ask, I am into many many things computers, trucks, drums..on and on haha.

Okay onto my problem. I went out the other day to go off roading. It wasn't to bad (so I thought), I did it 2 days before and did it in 2wd. My 4wd is really broken, I once shifted it into 4HI when i was spinning out and messed up the gears inside. It like grinds when you use 4wd. Anyway so I went out and got stuck. I had to use the 4wd to get out, I tried to rock it back and fourth but I got a little mad and went between the gears a little fast. I messed up what i believe is the forward sprag.

When I shift into drive or 3rd the truck will not move. When put it in drive you can hear like a noise kinda like a grinding. If I go into a manual 1st to start it moving then shift it to drive it works until you slow down.

Clearly I messed some stuff up, which sucks because this is basically a new transmission with like 10k miles on it.

I have to fix/rebuild this by myself. Taking it to someone isn't a option. Just don't have enough money and I am kinda interested in rebuilding a transmission.

What do you believe the problem is?
What 4l60e is in my truck? How can I find out?
Because this is my first dive into a trans, What should I lookout for?
What books/videos would you say I should get for this?
What rebuild kid should I look into getting? Kinda cheaper is always better.
What forward sprag should I get?
I was looking into shift kits, I prefer a smooth shift. Is there anything that would give me a even smoother shift than stock?

Any other things I haven't thought of please tell. I know this is going to be a big job I am guessing. I can hold my own though, always been into these kind of things.

Thanks for reading everyone, I appreciate it. I hope I can get some help here


Michael

 

Hey sorry guys I didn't realize this was mainly for cars. Well with that said still if you know anything that might help me that would be awesome.

 

Forward sprag is definately damaged, the overrun clutch is applied in manual gears and that is a small clutch pack, so you don't have long before that roasts also. You can hit youtube for building tips, or buy a rebuilding book, usually an ATRA book is the best. If cheap is best for you, just go with a stock kit from Transgo, they work OK. The pistons will need spring compressor tools to be replaced, so scout out the tools the book calls for before diving in. I would also find a trans shop willing to update the TCC isolator bore for you, this is the most common failure that I see. If they will update the entire body for you, jump at that. Shift kits are not going to give you a softer shift. Not sure why you want a softer shift since soft shifts equal slippage, equals wear. There are better than stock sprags from Sonnax or Borg Warner, do a google search.

 

So at this point should I just park the truck and call it a done deal till I get it fixed?

Also I am new to the transmissions so will i notice a faster shift with a shift kit? Like I don't want to feel a shift or a bump or anything however faster would be better. Right now it is pretty slow shift.

Also I want it to be cheaper but it also needs to work. So with that said around 2-300 for the project. That's about all I will be able to shell out. What can I get for it around that price?

Also these are the two books, do I need both? Is this the best choice?

http://www.700r4l60e.com/store/produ...?productid=223
http://www.onlinetransmissionparts.c...ent-for/Detail

Another book I found.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TCI-893300/?rtype=10

Shift Kit
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TR...s/?prefilter=1

This was the rebuild kit I was looking at..idk how good it really is though. Maybe someone can help.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TCI-379110/

Anything else I am missing here that I am not aware of? Thanks again everyone.

Also any links to products you recommend or anything would be great.

Okay After looking a bit...I found this. Looks like it is a good deal?? Idk
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TCI-378951/



Michael

 

Your first link includes both the ATSG main manual and the "update" manual. IMO, you don't need the update manual.
For your needs, this is the manual you want (great color pictures of every step):

http://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Over...0729393&sr=8-4

Skip the shift kit, it will give you harsher shifts and is non-trivial to install correctly.

It takes at least $200 in special tools to rebuild a trans. And that assumes you have a complete set of shop tools, assorted snap ring pliers, feeler blades, etc.

See this thread and my pictures (post #3):
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...-get-them.html

A minimal rebuild kit is about $125; $250 will give you a complete set of parts (including frictions, steels and pistons). You also need to buy a new forward sprag. A new sun shell ($50) is highly recommended.

I don't think anyone here is going to recommend that you try this yourself to save money. IMHO, as bad as the $600 rebuilt transmissions on Craigslist are, that is more likely to work the first time, and cost less than trying it yourself.
I'm not trying to be a downer, but am pretty sure this is nearly impossible on the budget you mentioned.
Let see what others say...

 

Okay so in your opinion to make this transmission worth anything how much do you think it would be? The one guy around here has rebuilt ones for 450 but the problem is who knows what your getting. For all I know rebuild can be took apart and it "looked okay"

Tools shouldn't be to much a problem. Things like feeler gauges and sockets I have. I have taken apart a entire toyota tacoma to the bare frame and put it back together before ha (old frame was bent). I have I am going to imagine a good amount of tools needed. Maybe not everything, but the money the 200-300 is for transmission parts only.

Okay so is that shift kit going to make it that much harsher? Sorry about the billion questions. I am just trying to figure things out before I try anything. I really think I will be able to handle this. Most things I do just come as second nature to me, specially with these type things.

What special tools are needed for this that I may not have?


OHH ALSO the transmission is only a year old. It was replaced last year. I don't know quite how many parts would be destroyed in that time. As I said its well under 10000 miles on the transmission. I dont know if that really matters at all. I never had any problems with it until I just stupidly broke it.

 

Well after looking into it more, looks like tools are a killer. Most of the things you need I don't have. Looks like 600-1000 in tools alone. Thats a lot. I think I will just be stuck getting a "rebuilt" transmission.

 

First, $600-$1000 is very high; you don't need production tools. The most expensive tools are the teflon ring installers and resizers. Some people rig up something with a cut up plastic bottle; I just have a local shop do it for me. You should be able to replace bushings if you have a very large assortment of sockets (socket wrenches). Beyond that, you really only need the three spring compressors pictured in the link earlier. Then, get something called the "Lip Wizard": http://www.transtec.com/lipwizard.php
You can probably get it for free from any trans shop as some rebuild kits include them. That's good enough to install all the pistons and protect the lips. It can even be used to resize the teflon rings with hose clamps.

SECOND, if your trans was recently rebuilt and only the forward sprag is bad, AND you are sure everything else is fine, AND the sprag didn't break in such a way that there is loose metal all over your trans, you can replace it without any special tools. (Well, you might need to get the teflon seals replaced if they are damaged during disassembly.) You only need to remove the pump, remove the servo, pull off the reverse drum and remove the input drum. (Well, you probably need to remove the band too, which can be tricky if the valve body isn't removed). Next you need to remove one clip from the input drum, remove the 3-4 clutch, remove another clip and you can then replace the forward sprag. Reassemble in reverse order. Getting the pump aligned into the case is easier if you make some screw-in studs for that. You only need a $30 Overhaul kit which will contain all the gaskets and o-rings you need to replace during this partial rebuild.
Since I'm not a trans expert, I may have missed something here.
None the the trans experts would recommend this because it is risky, especially after a hard part breaks. But if your budget is tight, you have the time and want to learn more about transmission, then maybe ???
Maybe someone else will say I am crazy and you should just get a rebuilt trans. However, with a cheapo $500 rebuild, you are rolling the dice on that too.
As always, just my amateur opinions here.