Transmission Rebuild time! (maybe)

[sneasle]

Dropped my (new to me) truck off at the shop this morning to have it looked at. They gave it a good once over along with looking at my list of specific concerns. Looks like she needs some TLC in a few places, primary of which is the transmission.

I've been getting some lurching/jerks/hesitation when pulling away from a stop. I was hoping it wasn't a transmission issue, but the shop seems to be leaning in that direction. Fluid apparently looks very dark and burnt, so I expect they will recommend a rebuild.

If that ends up being the case, any recommendations on course of action? Should I build it back to 'stock', or is it worth toughening it up a little bit? I'd like to have the option of doing some engine work in the future, so if I would need to strengthen it later for that I'd rather just put a little more into it now and be done with it.

There are a few threads here on these transmissions, but it doesn't look like anyone has really detailed the efforts that go into one of these.

Thoughts?

 

[Tonyrodz]

Dropped my (new to me) truck off at the shop this morning to have it looked at. They gave it a good once over along with looking at my list of specific concerns. Looks like she needs some TLC in a few places, primary of which is the transmission.

I've been getting some lurching/jerks/hesitation when pulling away from a stop. I was hoping it wasn't a transmission issue, but the shop seems to be leaning in that direction. Fluid apparently looks very dark and burnt, so I expect they will recommend a rebuild.

If that ends up being the case, any recommendations on course of action? Should I build it back to 'stock', or is it worth toughening it up a little bit? I'd like to have the option of doing some engine work in the future, so if I would need to strengthen it later for that I'd rather just put a little more into it now and be done with it.

There are a few threads here on these transmissions, but it doesn't look like anyone has really detailed the efforts that go into one of these.

Thoughts?

I'd beef it up some if I was you. I'm not a mechanic, but when my trans was rebuilt they used better clutch packs, a beast sunshell, shift kit and a corvette servo. Shifts great, nice and firm. Better to spend the money now if you know you're going to eventually be doing engine mods.

 

[sneasle]

I'd beef it up some if I was you. I'm not a mechanic, but when my trans was rebuilt they used better clutch packs, a beast sunshell, shift kit and a corvette servo. Shifts great, nice and firm. Better to spend the money now if you know you're going to eventually be doing engine mods.

That’s the direction I’m leaning towards. I’m tempted to look and see if I can find one at a pull-a-part that I can rebuild in my free time and swap in when I’m done. Don’t really want the truck down and out for an extended period of time.

Any suggestions on specific sources/vendors for quality parts/rebuild kits? Not looking for a super high power kit, 500hp range should be plenty sufficient. It’s a truck after all, I’m more about that torque .

 

[Tonyrodz]

That’s the direction I’m leaning towards. I’m tempted to look and see if I can find one at a pull-a-part that I can rebuild in my free time and swap in when I’m done. Don’t really want the truck down and out for an extended period of time.

Any suggestions on specific sources/vendors for quality parts/rebuild kits? Not looking for a super high power kit, 500hp range should be plenty sufficient. It’s a truck after all, I’m more about that torque .

Not sure on brands. I think @bottomline2000 had mentioned Sonnax? Or something like that. Hopefully he'll chime in.

 

[sneasle]

Not sure on brands. I think @bottomline2000 had mentioned Sonnax? Or something like that. Hopefully he'll chime in.

Cool, hopefully he chimes in.

 

[bottomline2000]

Not sure on brands. I think @bottomline2000 had mentioned Sonnax? Or something like that. Hopefully he'll chime in.

The Sonnax I referenced before was about my 80e and a unique pressure relief issue some have.. Now Sonnax does make a Smartdrum that is supposed to be an upgrade to the beast sunshell. The 60e that @Rocket Man has from RPM has one and it's supposed to be a pretty strong trans.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T377A using Tapatalk

 

[thompsoj22]

My advice in regard to the trans is to not allow any independant shop to "rebuild" your current trans. Keep researching until you choose a specific trans builder that specializes in "remanufacturing" auto transmissions. I wll also be in your position eventually with a new to me xl1500 denali with 127k miles and we tow a 4k lb travel trailer. When i do decide to do it i will do the R&R myself and ship my trans to them to reman. Ill keep watching this thread to gain some info on who has allready made a choice and running a good reman and having success with it.

 

[sneasle]

If I had the time and space, I'd considering doing it myself as it looks like an interesting puzzle... but I have neither at the moment unfortunately.

Part of me is tempted to go to one of these shops that builds 'built' transmissions and just order one, but I expect shipping one of those to me would make the already high price even worse.

I'm hunting for a 'trusted' shop locally... Hopefully I can find someone.

 

[thompsoj22]

If I had the time and space, I'd considering doing it myself as it looks like an interesting puzzle... but I have neither at the moment unfortunately.

Part of me is tempted to go to one of these shops that builds 'built' transmissions and just order one, but I expect shipping one of those to me would make the already high price even worse.

I'm hunting for a 'trusted' shop locally... Hopefully I can find someone.

I have "rebuilt" two A4LD auto trans and yes they are fun/interesting/simple to work on but it comes with alot of apprehension/hope. Auto trans rely soley on hydraulic pressure and so many of the seals require special install tools to do them right and "know" their right. any loss of pressure in any area results in poor shift quality and all your work for nothing. A specific reman shop has all the tooling and the environment specifically for hydraulic work. Just keep the remanufacture in the back of your mind when your on the net. It is the best way to go and the $250 shipping wont be a deal breaker.

 

[sneasle]

I have "rebuilt" two A4LD auto trans and yes they are fun/interesting/simple to work on but it comes with alot of apprehension/hope. Auto trans rely soley on hydraulic pressure and so many of the seals require special install tools to do them right and "know" their right. any loss of pressure in any area results in poor shift quality and all your work for nothing. A specific reman shop has all the tooling and the environment specifically for hydraulic work. Just keep the remanufacture in the back of your mind when your on the net. It is the best way to go and the $250 shipping wont be a deal breaker.

Ya, that's a fair point. It's all fun and games until you bolt it back in and something doesn't work :/

 

[Rocket Man]

If I had the time and space, I'd considering doing it myself as it looks like an interesting puzzle... but I have neither at the moment unfortunately.

Part of me is tempted to go to one of these shops that builds 'built' transmissions and just order one, but I expect shipping one of those to me would make the already high price even worse.

I'm hunting for a 'trusted' shop locally... Hopefully I can find someone.

Shipping is included on the built trannys, doesn’t matter as long as you’re in the lower 48. They’re not cheap though. I paid about $3500 for my level 3 “invincible” from Performabuilt that’s rated for 850 HP but I needed something that wouldn’t have trouble with my blown 6.0.

 

[sneasle]

Shipping is included on the built trannys, doesn’t matter as long as you’re in the lower 48. They’re not cheap though. I paid about $3500 for my level 3 “invincible” from Performabuilt that’s rated for 850 HP but I needed something that wouldn’t have trouble with my blown 6.0.

That’s cheaper than most of the ‘builts’ I’ve been looking at.

 

[swathdiver]

Go to Amazon and pick up the shop manual for the 6L80s and look online for the publications in pdf that detail the updated parts and parts kits for them. Circle D transmissions is pretty popular with the truck guys, especially their torque converters at present. You'll then know well if its something you want to tackle or not directly.

 

[sneasle]

Well, looks like I may not have the luxury of time to take this repair at my own pace. Was coming back from family pictures in the next town over when I lost power and it threw a CEL on the interstate.

Pulled over and plugged in my little bluetooth OBD2 (thankfully I had it in the truck still). Scanend P0700 and P0796, with P0796 being the code of interest. It's for a stuck 4-5-6 solenoid in the OFF position. I cleared the codes, let it sit for a few minutes (transmission temperature had also creeped up to 180F), turned it off, and then started it back up and stayed on the shoulder till the next exit and took surface roads the rest of the way home. I can definitely feel it misbehaving, not shifting smoothly and slipping a bit in every gear.

Soooo... looks like it is rebuild/replacement time!

 

[swathdiver]

Well, looks like I may not have the luxury of time to take this repair at my own pace. Was coming back from family pictures in the next town over when I lost power and it threw a CEL on the interstate.

Pulled over and plugged in my little bluetooth OBD2 (thankfully I had it in the truck still). Scanend P0700 and P0796, with P0796 being the code of interest. It's for a stuck 4-5-6 solenoid in the OFF position. I cleared the codes, let it sit for a few minutes (transmission temperature had also creeped up to 180F), turned it off, and then started it back up and stayed on the shoulder till the next exit and took surface roads the rest of the way home. I can definitely feel it misbehaving, not shifting smoothly and slipping a bit in every gear.

Soooo... looks like it is rebuild/replacement time!

A Tech2 can run a test on the servo, you may just need to replace the TCM/TECM "valve body" and not rebuild the whole transmission. If you do, stick with OE and not Dorman or anything else.

 

[sneasle]

Shipping is included on the built trannys, doesn’t matter as long as you’re in the lower 48. They’re not cheap though. I paid about $3500 for my level 3 “invincible” from Performabuilt that’s rated for 850 HP but I needed something that wouldn’t have trouble with my blown 6.0.

Went and looked them up, they don’t offer 6l80’s .

I’ve got a line on a local pull, need to get someone on the phone and see how many miles it has.

 

[thompsoj22]

how many miles on your's? just wondering when they start to go. it's not a bad idea to simply throw a salvage trans in to get you down the road and than have your trans remanufactured/"built" when you have the cash/time. Or bite the bullett and have a local shop do the R&R and have yours reman'd now. the cost of the salvage trans would instead be used for a rental car while your's is being fixed. your in the "crutch of the biscuit zone" try to make your decisions based upon doing it right "once". Sorry i am opinionated and dont allways practice what i preach cause im cheap and have a low patience threshold which has led me many times to fixing things right the second time it fails.

Check out Street Smart Transmission

 

[Rocket Man]

LMAO “crutch of the biscuit zone”? WTH?

 

[Fless]

May have been a Frank Zappa quote, but loose; a little before my time: "crux of the biscuit" (heart of the matter, or something hard to swallow, or whatever) LOL

https://www.quora.com/What-does-this-mean-The-crux-of-the-biscuit-is-in-the-apostrophe

 

[Rocket Man]

Ummmm....OK...