Preparing to replace 4L60e myself.

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Merc1973

Merc1973

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The play is normal, and its fine for fluid to be in the tailshaft....it has an o ring seal to the main case, and output shaft seal on the driveshaft, and a driveshaft copper bushing that MUST be lubed by......yep you guessed it, trans fluid.



Thnks, thats a relief to know. Is there a seal to replace between the transfer cae adapter to transmission and a seal between the transfer case and adpater?



This slow going as heck, only broken bolts at exhaust y pipe to muffler pipe. That y pipe is heavy as sh.....
 

swampfoxjr

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Thnks, thats a relief to know. Is there a seal to replace between the transfer cae adapter to transmission and a seal between the transfer case and adpater?



This slow going as heck, only broken bolts at exhaust y pipe to muffler pipe. That y pipe is heavy as sh.....
I had to do the y pipe solo, put a hand in the middle to help balance it. Also for the T-case, unplug all harnesses & remove wires from clamps, label each wire, then unbolt.


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1_8TTony

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I'm sorry dude, but you don't have the slightest F-ing clue what you're talking about. You've never seen GM PCM/trans programming of a 4l60e either. Listen carefully, nothing, and I mean nothing about the transmission is adaptive. Not one single part of the programming. Stop spewing BS.

Clueless? Hmm.... No need to argue about it when you can read about it:

Transmission Adaptive Functions
(Source: AllData)

The 4L60-E transmission utilizes a line pressure control system during upshifts to compensate for the normal wear of transmission components. By adjusting the line pressure, the PCM can maintain acceptable transmission shift times. This process is known as "adaptive learning" or "shift adapts" and is similar to the closed loop fuel control system used for the engine.

In order for the powertrain control module (PCM) to perform a "shift adapt," it must first identify if an upshift is acceptable to analyze. For example, upshifts that occur during cycling of the A/C compressor or under extreme throttle changes could cause the PCM to incorrectly adjust line pressure. When an upshift is initiated, a number of contingencies, such as throttle position, transmission temperature, and vehicle speed, are checked in order to determine if the actual shift time is valid to compare to a calibrated desired shift time. If all the contingencies are met during the entire shift, then the shift is considered valid and the adapt function may be utilized if necessary.

Once an adaptable shift is identified, the PCM compares the actual shift time to the desired shift time and calculates the difference between them. This difference is known as the shift error. The actual shift time is determined from the time that the PCM commands the shift to the start of the engine RPM drop initiated by the shift. If the actual shift time is longer than the calibrated desired shift time, a soft feel or slow engagement, then the PCM decreases current to the pressure control (PC) solenoid in order to increase line pressure for the next, same, upshift under identical conditions. If the actual shift time is shorter than the calibrated desired shift time, a firm engagement, then the PCM increases current to the PC solenoid in order to decrease line pressure for the next, same, upshift under identical conditions.

The purpose of the adapt function is to automatically compensate the shift quality for the various vehicle shift control systems. It is a continuous process that will help to maintain optimal shift quality throughout the life of the vehicle.

Clearing Transmission Adaptive Pressure (TAP)
Transmission adaptive pressure (TAP) information is displayed and may be reset using a scan tool.

The adapt function is a feature of the PCM that either adds or subtracts line pressure from a calibrated base line pressure in order to compensate for normal transmission wear. The TAP information is divided into 13 units, called cells. The cells are numbered 4 through 14. Each cell represents a given torque range. TAP cell 4 is the lowest adaptable torque range and TAP cell 14 is the highest adaptable torque range. It is normal for TAP cell values to display zero or negative numbers. This indicates that the PCM has adjusted line pressure at or below the calibrated base line pressure.

Updating TAP information is a learning function of the PCM designed to maintain acceptable shift times.
It is not recommended that TAP information be reset.
 

Jimmy John

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Sounds like you've already started working on it but if you have a pressure washer I like to spray the whole area down first before I get under an old grimy truck.
 

1_8TTony

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I'll have to figure out the 15mm wrench for the transfer case.

Today I just picked up some cooler line detergent to clean out the cooler lines, and a case of DEXRON 6.

I took an old, cheap 15mm wrench and cut it down to a couple inches in length.

It's always a good idea to replace the old transmission cooler with a new one. Infact, I bet somewhere in your paperwork on the new transmission, you will find something that states the "warranty will be VOID" if a new trans cooler is not used.

Removing the transmission crossmember will allow the transfer case to come down a few inches allowing a little more access to that top bolt. Still gonna be a pain to get to.

Also, important to use a new torque converter.
 
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1_8TTony

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You will need a pick tool of some kind to remove the E clips that secure the cooler lines onto the transmission. A small hook shaped pick tool works best. Pull the clips off and slide the tubes out......the tubes do not "unbolt".

Upon reassembly, you will preinstall the E clips onto the new transmission's cooler tube receiver bolts.

Look at the new transmission.......where the lines will attach. If the new transmission still has the two receiving bolts for the cooler lines........ You will see a small groove where the wire E clip snap onto the connector bolts.

Here's a link to a picture of what the cooler tube bolts look like. If you look closely, you will see the E clip.

https://www.google.com/search?q=4l60e+cooler+line+clip&biw=1294&bih=678&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjLouueyqbQAhUX52MKHYYzBpwQ_AUIwgEoAQ#imgrc=lHs-BKDikJqbBM:
 
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01ssreda4

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You're right about one part, it does monitor "shift time" and creates "shift time error" data. But listen close, for a 4l60e, which is WITHOUT a dedicated TCM, it makes no difference, at least not like what you're trying to explain. You can google all you want, but reading that long winded BS and actually changing transmission programming and feeling the changes and seeing the data are two completely different things.
 

retiredsparky

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The bottom line is there may be some weird shifts after a transmission changeout, but the PCM will automatically adapt over a very short period of time without any intervention. If you are worried, you could drive it to a dealer to get the PCM "adjusted". By the time you get there, the PCM will adapt itself.

One more thing that is obvious to most-drain the tranny first or there is a big mess.
 
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Dneel81

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Yup. I pulled the 4l60 out of my truck, and forgot to drain it. it then slipped while I was moving it from the floor to the pickup bed and dumped atf all over my right leg. one of my work boots is, to this day, still darker than all my others.
 

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Yeah, but you have to pull the pan to drain it, right? Unless you use the method where you hook up a line to the cooler and start the engine to get as much out as you can, but doesn't it still make a mess when you pull the pan?
 

Dneel81

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I was in the process of swapping in an NV4500. so I got distracted and just took transfer case down, undid shell bolts and took her down as slowly as possible. it worked well till it fell the last 6". then it got drained when it slipped like I mentioned.
 
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Merc1973

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UPDATE: First thanks for all who chimed in with tips and tricks!

I ran into an issue Sunday night. My back was acting up after lifting the transfer case to replace the leaky rear output seal. I am a Chiropractor with a herniated Lumbar spine disc... you would think I should know better not to lift something that heavy, late at night when Im exhausted. That lead to the decision to have a shop finish the job for me. I was up the point of trying to remove the torque converter bolts, laying on my back was not happening anymore. Used my AAA card, only one day left til it expired and had it towed to Calvin's Transmission shop in Eldersburg, MD. He charged my $580 to finish, since he also had to remove broken cat-back flange bolts and replace the rear main seal (while he's in there). In regards to the Dorman plate with pre-installed seal. It was no good. The seal was installed backwards and looked so cheap compared to the factory design. I went and bought him a NAPA-Felpro rear main gasket set that matched the factory style.

He finished very fast. Dropped it off 3:30 pm, he finished 11am next day. The shifts are adapting as you guys stated. The 2-3 is getting much better and not slipping out anymore. The truck is also more quiet on the highway now. I know have a P0135 (O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 1)). That's gotta to be the O2 sensor that I forgot to unplug when taking down the Y-pipe. The y-pipe was dangling all on the sensor wire, and I wondered why the pipe would not come down. Ooops. :Stupid Me: I will get a Sensor today and replace it. How hard is it to replace? Do I need to heat it up with a torch? Special tool?
 
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1_8TTony

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You will need a 22mm open end wrench.........there is plenty of room to get the wrench in there. You could buy a slotted socket designed specifically to remove/install the o2 sensor, but it's not necessary for the B1S1 sensor.

If any of the wires are damaged, you could just splice them back together.......nothing special about the wires.
 
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Merc1973

Merc1973

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Here is some documentation of my re-manufactured trans from Transmission Authority that came with it. I thought it was interesting.

9MKfN13.jpg


LPX4i4p.jpg


JLEORR9.jpg


quYrKhL.jpg


FQTY9QM.jpg
 
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Merc1973

Merc1973

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Thanks. I thought i needed a 7/8" wrench. I will have to find a 22mm somewhere.
 
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Merc1973

Merc1973

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It came out pretty easy with the 22mm wrench from Advance auto, it has a nice long handle for leverage. According the live data on my scan tool, it was stuck reading 0.540v. The new one is now giving fluctuated readings like the rest of them. Hope thats all it was as i dont want it to read too rich and kill my cat.
 

ATIII

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I also got my replacement from Outlaw Transmissions, they build race transmissions, I pretty much have a beefed up 4l65e. Upgraded clutches, pinless accumulators, vette servos, 5 planetary gears instead of 4, only paid 1200, with core charge


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You have any contact info for these guys. I live in Brighton and Henderson is literally 5 mins from me.


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