GMC Transmission -- Failure at Speed!

[stomachmonkey]

Don't over complicate this.

The 4L60E and 70E are solid units. The only really common failure is the Sun Gear and everyone that rebuilds them upgrades the Sun shell and does the Vette servo pack upgrade. They add virtually nothing to the cost, it's like an extra $25.00 in parts cost so stupid to not address them.

Unless the weather is inclement where you are this is a driveway job.

Figure 4 hours for the swap.

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performance+Products/555/603026/10002/-1?mrkgcl=1239&mrkgadid=3333715648&adpos=1o3&creative=330726016739&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIktu_wLnS4QIV8ZFbCh3-pAEYEAQYAyABEgKKGPD_BwE

https://www.monstertransmission.com/4L60E4L70E-Transmission-Heavy-Duty-2WD-2006-2009-Merch-Purple_p_12288.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIktu_wLnS4QIV 8ZFbCh3-pAEYEAQYASABEgJTv_D_BwE#.XLSqEnaZ124

That tranny will last another 200k at least.

EDIT: toss in a new converter cause, you're already in there.

[VincentVega]

4hrs? I'm still soaking rusty bolts at that point

agree this can be straight forward

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

4hrs? I'm still soaking rusty bolts at that point

agree this can be straight forward

My trucks been in TX for the last 11 years.

No road salts to screw **** up.

[speeder]

The shop I use is in Hollywood and has been in business for decades, family owned. There are many others. They are a transmission only shop and they R&R transmissions and rebuild them all day long. Reasonable prices.

I know how to remove a transmission from a car or truck and have done it countless times. It's a no-brainer to have them do it instead. I've actually reached the point in my life where I will gladly pay someone else a couple hundred dollars rather than bench-press an automatic transmission into a vehicle on the ground in my driveway. Call me crazy. I know how to dig a ditch and I could probably bring my own trash to the landfill, some things you gladly pay for in life.

Have it towed to a good transmission shop and pick it up the next day w basically a new transmission w a warranty. Automatic transmissions are wear items, (at least the parts inside are), they do not last forever. This is a normal vehicle owner experience. Any talk about putting a transmission from another vehicle in it is not very smart, IMO. Just fix it and go.

[fastfredracing]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Don't over complicate this.

The 4L60E and 70E are solid units. The only really common failure is the Sun Gear and everyone that rebuilds them upgrades the Sun shell and does the Vette servo pack upgrade. They add virtually nothing to the cost, it's like an extra $25.00 in parts cost so stupid to not address them.

Unless the weather is inclement where you are this is a driveway job.

Figure 4 hours for the swap.

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performance+Products/555/603026/10002/-1?mrkgcl=1239&mrkgadid=3333715648&adpos=1o3&creative=330726016739&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIktu_wLnS4QIV8ZFbCh3-pAEYEAQYAyABEgKKGPD_BwE

https://www.monstertransmission.com/4L60E4L70E-Transmission-Heavy-Duty-2WD-2006-2009-Merch-Purple_p_12288.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIktu_wLnS4QIV 8ZFbCh3-pAEYEAQYASABEgJTv_D_BwE#.XLSqEnaZ124

That tranny will last another 200k at least.

EDIT: toss in a new converter cause, you're already in there.

I think you are off on the hours there . Book pays 8.8. Id be happy to have one out and sitting on the bench in 4 hours.
You've done this in your driveway? 4x4 with a transfer case ?

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by speeder

The shop I use is in Hollywood and has been in business for decades, family owned. There are many others. They are a transmission only shop and they R&R transmissions and rebuild them all day long. Reasonable prices.

I know how to remove a transmission from a car or truck and have done it countless times. It's a no-brainer to have them do it instead. I've actually reached the point in my life where I will gladly pay someone else a couple hundred dollars rather than bench-press an automatic transmission into a vehicle on the ground in my driveway. Call me crazy. I know how to dig a ditch and I could probably bring my own trash to the landfill, some things you gladly pay for in life.

Have it towed to a good transmission shop and pick it up the next day w basically a new transmission w a warranty. Automatic transmissions are wear items, (at least the parts inside are), they do not last forever. This is a normal vehicle owner experience. Any talk about putting a transmission from another vehicle in it is not very smart, IMO. Just fix it and go.

I'm with Dennis, did this with my 2500 Suburban 4X4 a few years back.

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by speeder

The shop I use is in Hollywood and has been in business for decades, family owned. There are many others. They are a transmission only shop and they R&R transmissions and rebuild them all day long. Reasonable prices.

I know how to remove a transmission from a car or truck and have done it countless times. It's a no-brainer to have them do it instead. I've actually reached the point in my life where I will gladly pay someone else a couple hundred dollars rather than bench-press an automatic transmission into a vehicle on the ground in my driveway. Call me crazy. I know how to dig a ditch and I could probably bring my own trash to the landfill, some things you gladly pay for in life.

Have it towed to a good transmission shop and pick it up the next day w basically a new transmission w a warranty. Automatic transmissions are wear items, (at least the parts inside are), they do not last forever. This is a normal vehicle owner experience. Any talk about putting a transmission from another vehicle in it is not very smart, IMO. Just fix it and go.

Speeder knows how to pick his battles. At 66 years old I have to do this. Yes I will R&R the trans in my truck. It is easier than most. I paid someone to do the clutch in my Cayman. He has a lift and I do not. I do not feel like I have to do everything myself.

[piscator]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Don't over complicate this.

The 4L60E and 70E are solid units. The only really common failure is the Sun Gear and everyone that rebuilds them upgrades the Sun shell and does the Vette servo pack upgrade. They add virtually nothing to the cost, it's like an extra $25.00 in parts cost so stupid to not address them.

Unless the weather is inclement where you are this is a driveway job.

Figure 4 hours for the swap.


That tranny will last another 200k at least.

EDIT: toss in a new converter cause, you're already in there.

Thanks Stomach! I'm certainly in favor of not over-complicating! I appreciate your letting me know the corvette servo and Sunshell is a common upgrade.

I'm just starting to learn what some of these things are and appreciate everyone's input. It's helping me gain an understanding of AT's.

It's likely that I'll use a local rebuilder and have my mechanic friend do the drop and install. Even though I'm comfortable doing that part and have the equipment, I think my time is better spent getting the Porsche back together.

However, FYI, I spoke to the owner of Performa transmission and he was very helpful. Since my truck is 4WD/AWD he recommended this version:

https://www.performabuilt.com/product/heavy-hauler-4l60e/

At $2895, this transmission may be more than I need, but I do trailer a heavy lobster boat a few times a year. Anyway, it gives me a benchmark for comparison. JEGs offers a 4WD 4L60E transmission restored a company named Hughes. Price is $2995.

I learn something new every day, I guess. Thanks again!

e

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

I think you are off on the hours there . Book pays 8.8. Id be happy to have one out and sitting on the bench in 4 hours.
You've done this in your driveway? 4x4 with a transfer case ?

I've done 4x4 with transfer cases in the driveway, have not done this particular vehicle because I'm old and I have no appetite for it anymore. Last time I did anything under "The Hoe" was to drop the tank, that was enough to convince me to shop out the tranny.

Anyway, that was the labor hours from my shop, but, it's all the shop does all day every day so agreed, not a good benchmark for what it would take a shade tree wrench. The OP and me, not you.

[VincentVega]

Lots of good info out there, I have this bookmarked for reference. The tables layout common weaknesses pretty simply.

https://www.gmtransmissionparts.com/700r4-4l60e-4l65e-rebuild-kit-buyers-guide/

[speeder]

In case anyone in L.A. needs a good transmission shop. Family owned, unfortunately the father died a couple years ago and now it's just his son, John and an excellent mechanic/technician. They do it all, you just tow the broken buggy to them and pick it up a day or two later, rebuilt w warranty.

I can't see the need to have one mechanic R&R trans and another rebuild it but if you need to(?)

Interesting that he has one terrible Yelp review but you need to weigh it against all of the others, which are almost unanimously positive. Makes you wonder about the other side of the story on that guy.

https://maps.apple.com/place?address=6020%20Santa%20Monica%20Blvd%2C%20Lo s%20Angeles%2C%20CA%20%2090038%2C%20United%20State s&auid=2069221577293693919&ll=34.0905903%2C-118.320839&q=Choi%27s%20Transmission%20Center

[908/930]

Is it not shifting past 3rd or is it staying locked in 3rd?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by 908/930

Is it not shifting past 3rd or is it staying locked in 3rd?

Now that's where a higher end scanner would be beneficial on a little road trip.

Trans module or ECU may indicate 4th.

[Arizona_928]

Doesn't GM offer a new crate trans that is back compatable with the 4l60's??

I would go local route as well. I would hate to get a doa unit

[piscator]

Bob, 908, Not shifting past third

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

I think you are off on the hours there . Book pays 8.8. Id be happy to have one out and sitting on the bench in 4 hours.
You've done this in your driveway? 4x4 with a transfer case ?

PFFT. I had them out, changed the clutch packs and torque converter clutch, flushed the valve body, and had them back in and running while the case was still warm.
Of course they were mounted at waist height in a test cell that had a trolley to wheel engines and transmissions in and out.

[fastfredracing]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

PFFT. I had them out, changed the clutch packs and torque converter clutch, flushed the valve body, and had them back in and running while the case was still warm.
Of course they were mounted at waist height in a test cell that had a trolley to wheel engines and transmissions in and out.

When I was a youn un, I was an R@R and tear down guy at a transmission shop . We had no lifts, and those guys were faaast.
I was young and green, but they whipped me into shape pretty quickly .
I think my best time out was like 27 minutes , for a rear drive full size chevrlolet car. Out and on the bench. We had 2 creepers, one to lay on, and another full of all the tools you needed . I remember like it was yesterday. Battery,shift linkage , driveshaft . starter, flywheeel cover, flywheel bolts, lines, remove all bell bolts, except 2,put the trans jack under it, pull crossmember, remaining 2 bell bolts, and on the ground.
Id pull one monday morning, tear it down and clean all the parts, then the rebuilder would get it . I would usuallly be putting it back in the next afternoon. We also had units on the shelf ready to go. We would buy up cores, and rebuild them on slow days.
I sometimes miss those days and the constant smell of burnt trans fluid . .

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

I think my best time out was like 27 minutes

I got one decent transmission story.

Pal in Anchorage with a maybe 1979 Rabbit needing a clutch. 1988-ish.

He had it all ready to go. Just chickin' to pull it.

Got under it and dropped it on my chest. All 80 pounds.

I was Batman.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by piscator

Bob, 908, Not shifting past third

I think we get that. ECU may say you are in fourth even though the vehicle cannot mechanically do that.

[piscator]

Gentlemen, here’s where things stand

My mechanic agrees that this transmission needs replacement. Labor charge is $1,045

GM Factory Remanufactured 4L60E is $2,525

https://www.gmpartsonline.net/oem-parts/gm-transmission-89037492

Performabuilt ‘Heavy Hauler’ upgraded 4L60E with Corvette Servo, heavy duty ‘Sun Shell,’ etc., etc. – $2,895

https://www.performabuilt.com/product/heavy-hauler-4l60e/

My question is, should I opt for an upgraded 4L60E or go with factory stock? I realize that I can get better pricing on comparable transmissions, but price is not my main concern, at this moment. I’d just appreciate hearing if you would go for the upgraded unit – StomachMonkey?

I need to make a decision on this and will certainly appreciate your continued guidance. As always, you guys are great!