4 pinion planets
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,755
Likes: 292
From: Fort Worth TX
4 pinion planets hope the title got you in here 
so if GM no longer makes the old 4 PP...and 5 PP are junk...only option is to rebuild ? source someone who does rebuild them ?
I see sonnax does offer parts to do a DIY rebuild ...any one ever done it ? I see the hardest part would be to swag the pin in the carrier...but I have seen where some just TIG weld the pins
Can a supplier who offers a rebuilt 4PP truly give a quality reman ? ...meaning not from china
should the planets be replaced as a matter of fact for a competent tranny rebuild for peace of mind ?
so if GM no longer makes the old 4 PP...and 5 PP are junk...only option is to rebuild ? source someone who does rebuild them ?
I see sonnax does offer parts to do a DIY rebuild ...any one ever done it ? I see the hardest part would be to swag the pin in the carrier...but I have seen where some just TIG weld the pins
Can a supplier who offers a rebuilt 4PP truly give a quality reman ? ...meaning not from china
should the planets be replaced as a matter of fact for a competent tranny rebuild for peace of mind ?
I was discussing this with MaroonMonster several nights ago. He made some valid points (as usual) with this topic.
I have personally never done this, but plan to in the future as I have a couple planetaries that I replaced on a previous build.
The main issue with this is time. This would obviously be a very time consuming procedure. There is actually an end play spec for these (dont have it off my head) but one can measure via feeler gauge along with seeing if they have side to side movement. Then there is a way to check the captured torrington bearing using the respected sun gear. If all checks out and no heat spots, rebuilding one most likely wont be the route to go. But, as always even if it checks out ok, doesnt mean there still isnt wear on the pins one cant see.
It would be dealers choice here to me and the build situation at hand.
But, if one does choose to rebuild no question dont use anything other than Sonnax parts. Speaking of Sonnax, I did see Greg Nader with Sonnax posted one time that using a masonry star chisel bits to swage the pins instead of having to buy the Allison swage tool works well too.
I have personally never done this, but plan to in the future as I have a couple planetaries that I replaced on a previous build.
The main issue with this is time. This would obviously be a very time consuming procedure. There is actually an end play spec for these (dont have it off my head) but one can measure via feeler gauge along with seeing if they have side to side movement. Then there is a way to check the captured torrington bearing using the respected sun gear. If all checks out and no heat spots, rebuilding one most likely wont be the route to go. But, as always even if it checks out ok, doesnt mean there still isnt wear on the pins one cant see.
It would be dealers choice here to me and the build situation at hand.
But, if one does choose to rebuild no question dont use anything other than Sonnax parts. Speaking of Sonnax, I did see Greg Nader with Sonnax posted one time that using a masonry star chisel bits to swage the pins instead of having to buy the Allison swage tool works well too.
Last edited by 2BFAST; Oct 4, 2022 at 03:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,755
Likes: 292
From: Fort Worth TX
I did see the white paper sonnax did on planet rebuilds...not exactly a how to but just general info
to swag you need the tool and a press...and I guess a good eye so you dont mess things up
Jakes does ( did ? ) 480le planet rebuilds....I guess they quit doing it
to swag you need the tool and a press...and I guess a good eye so you dont mess things up
Jakes does ( did ? ) 480le planet rebuilds....I guess they quit doing it
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Roxana, IL
I have rebuilt them in the past, it is time consuming. This was back in the day of the planet buddy rebuild system. I quit rebuilding them. The part's to rebuild them got expensive, so I started buying rebuilt ones for less $$. The draw back to them was that they didn't replace the pocket bearing. I had two failures of the pocket bearing. Then I just started buying GU from a place in NY that dismantled wreck's.
I hammered the pins out using a long piece of steel rod in a vise. I made a small jig to support most of the planet, while 1 pin fit between the vise jaws. Most of the time the pins and needles were all you needed, I used a piece of vacuum tubing to hold the needles, washers & gears in place while I drove the pin place. Because the new pins hadn't been swedged they went in fairly easy. To swedge them, I ground one of my own chisels to make a wide blunt tip. while supporting the planet with a rounded tool against the pin, you could swedge the pin. After the 4 from the rear you could flip the planet, adjust the pin holding tool & repeat. All the swedging was done in my 6" vise...
You may not agree with how I did it, but it worked for me...
I hammered the pins out using a long piece of steel rod in a vise. I made a small jig to support most of the planet, while 1 pin fit between the vise jaws. Most of the time the pins and needles were all you needed, I used a piece of vacuum tubing to hold the needles, washers & gears in place while I drove the pin place. Because the new pins hadn't been swedged they went in fairly easy. To swedge them, I ground one of my own chisels to make a wide blunt tip. while supporting the planet with a rounded tool against the pin, you could swedge the pin. After the 4 from the rear you could flip the planet, adjust the pin holding tool & repeat. All the swedging was done in my 6" vise...
You may not agree with how I did it, but it worked for me...
Currently im doing an 07 unit out of a GMC Envoy with a 5.3. It has 159k miles on it and it literally looks like it had 49k. The planets look, check, and feel pristine in all aspects. But there again 159k miles is 159k miles and what you dont see.....you dont see. But im sending these as im sure they will be fine.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Nitro Alley
The 4-Pinion Planets are easily rebuildable...
Some of you guys may not have a good source for Parts (Pinion Pins, Thrust-Washers, Shims, Torrington-Bearing, and Bearing Rollers).
But as long as you can handle some Transmission Assembly Lube and a bunch of Rollers...
(Packing loose Bearing Rollers is something regularly done with many Manual Transmission Rebuilds, no reason to fear it).
Then you will be good to go!
Some of you guys may not have a good source for Parts (Pinion Pins, Thrust-Washers, Shims, Torrington-Bearing, and Bearing Rollers).
But as long as you can handle some Transmission Assembly Lube and a bunch of Rollers...
(Packing loose Bearing Rollers is something regularly done with many Manual Transmission Rebuilds, no reason to fear it).
Then you will be good to go!
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,755
Likes: 292
From: Fort Worth TX
so can you provide a how to Vor ? for us visual learners? and besides sonnax...any other part suppliers?
I hope to be diving in my tranny soon....and dont want to over look the pinions !
I hope to be diving in my tranny soon....and dont want to over look the pinions !
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,755
Likes: 292
From: Fort Worth TX
when ever you can is fine...google fails to provide much info on DIY planet rebuilding....anyone out there that can provide a good how to since Vor cant right now ? when the time comes for me to to do my tranny if no has has provided any info I may dive into it ...with good results I hope
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Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Roxana, IL
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2453-ca...netary-bearing
Last edited by Tranzman; Oct 13, 2022 at 07:41 PM.
FYI Sonnax shows the 77747-01 as a front planet bearing. It also only fits the 99 and later .199 thick bearing.
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2453-ca...netary-bearing
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2453-ca...netary-bearing