Fixing ATX Tranny - Please Comment

[SuperG]

Well, the shifting finally became too much to bare (lots of slipping) so I took the ol' girl to A+ Transmission (I have had to deal with them before and trust them).

Well, they are tearing her apart for $400. This will also include replacing the rear main seal (can anyone think of what else can be attended?). The engine codes came back as 336 and 647, EGR or high engine pressure, and incorrect 3rd gear ratio, respectively...I think.

Please comment on any of this, you guys have always been a great help!

Oh, and the nearly new tranny fluid apparently has been very hot...smells very much bad!

So, now it's time to look at adding things to the tranny or other areas, which are now easier to get to. I am looking at the Transgo kit, but any other ideas would be greatly appreciated...

<small>[ May 12, 2003, 11:12 PM: Message edited by: SuperG ]</small>

 

[luigisho]

The transgo will help move the fluid arond some. The updated '95 internals are recommended for a rebuild I believe. If the heat is an ongoing concern you could add a nice tranny cooler.

 

[Bluto]

What he said

The transgo will help move the fluid arond some. The updated '95 internals are recommended for a rebuild I believe. If the heat is an ongoing concern you could add a nice tranny cooler.

And change the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) while the tranny is out.

It is a fragile part that usually needs the tranny pulled to change it. The cost is like 20 bucks.

 

[SuperG]

Thanks! For about $2400 the rebuild will include updated, stronger parts and a tranny cooler. I will inquire about the VSS...

 

[BenBrausen]

For that price you can get a Doug Lewis transmission for your SHO.... Or for just under a grand, you can have NetGearHead.com rebuild your tranny with a TransGo kit and a 1 year unlimated warranty. That's the route I'm gonna go.

 

[SuperG]

A grand? The labor alone with these guys is $900...I will also have the Transgo kit installed and these guys are saying the tranny will hold up for another 150k miles (although the actual warranty is only for a year).

Also...they are right down the road, so if for some reason something gets messed up, I can take it to them, whereas, i cannot take my car to Georgia.

If I had more time, I probably would have gone the FPS route, but shipping is an added cost, so I think I am coming out ok.

I look forward to seeing how your rebuild goes...

 

[rangerj]

SuperG,

$900 labor to pull the trans out of the car, take it apart, rebuild it, then put it back in the car, is a very reasonable labor fee.

The $2400 for the Doug lewis trans does not include labor to remove the trans and put it back in the car. It is just the rebuilt trans. The same for the netgearhead.com deal. You have to supply the labor to remove and replace the trans.

If you found a shop that is close to home, and does good work, and is reasonable, you are right to go there. If you have a problem you just stop by and get it fixed.

With the others, you would have to remove the trans and mail it to Georgia or where-ever, and put the trans back in when it comes back. What a PIA!

You may want to find out if Ford upgraded the trans computer, or improved it for smoother shift, etc. These trans computers are usually not to expensive and are usually worth the improved performance.

Anybody out there into automatic transmissions know if there is a better auto trans computer that is worth getting while the rebuild is in process? Say from a later model year with improved technoledgy? rangerj

 

[luigisho]

Did you guys already see the tranny for sale from Shawn P. on the forum? If I needed one that's the one I'd buy.

 

[SHOZ123]

Ask them to put an extra clutch and steel in the 1,2 and 3 gears. Have the torque converter rebuilt too.

<small>[ May 16, 2003, 09:27 AM: Message edited by: SHOZ123 ]</small>

 

[rangerj]

SHOZ123,

You post that an additional clutch disk and an additional clutch plate should be added to the clutch packs, and then just leave us hanging?

The clutch packs are full with the normal number of disks and plates. The spring is compressed tight as it is.

So, what is the benefit of the extra disk and plate. Will they cause more wear or the early failure of the piston return spring?

Where do you get just one extra clutch disk and clutch plate for the 1/R and the 2/3 clutch packs? (It seems to me I have seen some rebuild kits with an extra disk and plate for each pack.)

I would like very much to "hear" more about this. Share the wealth buddy.
Heads up folks it's learning experience time!

Your advice on rebuilding the torque converter is right on. Given the milage on the vehicle it would be a good time to refresh the converter. OK SHOZ, your on! thumb rangerj