Tranny dead away from home.

[TheScaryOne]

So I was driving, and I think I lost second gear. My ABS light came on and the car started acting very erratically, giving it gas but no go. I think my tranny is fried (AX4S), and I've gleaned some information about a rebuild from searching. This car isn't destined for performance, just a high-performance daily driver. So I figure I'd need

S86165B - Superior **** Dam Kit
And either the Superior shift correction kit or Transgo shift kit. I've used B&M on my Camaro, and regret the choice, so I won't think of touching them on this tranny.

I'd also like Kolene Steels and Kevlar clutches, but I figure I can tell the rebuild shop that and have them source them.

Is there anything else I should get myself before letting a shop work on my car? Most people recommend the TC from SHO source, but is this that big of a deal on a car that won't see beyond stock engine power? Is there anything I should tell a shop I want done specifically? How much should I be looking at for a rebuild?

Also, can the AX4N be swapped in? Some people say yes, it's easy, and all you need to do is swap a few parts, and then other people say it's impossible because of the bolt patterns. That makes no sense.

:thankyou: for any help!

 

[bubba]

the v8 no....but with enough money anything can be swapped in... But rebuilding this transmission isn't cheap to rebuild at all though. 1800 give a take a 100 or so. But sounds like you broke a hard part

 

[TheScaryOne]

I thought so too. Until I got in the car later, started it, and it drove up and down the street just fine. >.< Going in for a diagnostic tomorrow.

The transmission has been leaking fluid, but every time I check the fluid, it's always at the full mark on the dipstick, no matter how many times I wipe it off and recheck. I'm beginning to think it's my rack leaking and someone just filled it with ATF.

 

[bubba]

Yeah, you can use, transmission fluid in your power steering..... I would double check it though, hard parts in the trans... don't show up fulltime until they break. That's what happened to me lol

 

[AREA 91]

I thought so too. Until I got in the car later, started it, and it drove up and down the street just fine. >.< Going in for a diagnostic tomorrow.

The transmission has been leaking fluid, but every time I check the fluid, it's always at the full mark on the dipstick, no matter how many times I wipe it off and recheck. I'm beginning to think it's my rack leaking and someone just filled it with ATF.

89-95 sho's use ATF in the power steering system.

 

[TheScaryOne]

Ah, so it was factory. I know you can swap the fluids (unless you have a Hon-DUH, where you need their special fluid) and if I ever change the rack I'll flush it and fill it up with power steering fluid just because I like the color difference.

So it should be about $1800? The quote I got from a local shop was 18-2300, and they did a good job on my last transmission, so I figure I'll go with them if my diagnostic comes up that the transmission needs a rebuild.

So, get a shift kit, the **** dam, kevlar friction plates, kolene steels, and replace the aluminum input drum with a steel one?

Edit: And all new electronics in the tranny, don't want them to go bad and have to tear it all apart again.

Anyone else recommend anything else? There's a thread on here that I don't have access to that is supposed to talk about a lot of transmission upgrades, which seems to be the case with most of the old useful threads. :/

 

[bubba]

That sounds about right on the qoute! or if you want one **** of a trans PM sho#7 he is a mad man about these transmissions.... so I've heard

Ah, so it was factory. I know you can swap the fluids (unless you have a Hon-DUH, where you need their special fluid) and if I ever change the rack I'll flush it and fill it up with power steering fluid just because I like the color difference.

So it should be about $1800? The quote I got from a local shop was 18-2300, and they did a good job on my last transmission, so I figure I'll go with them if my diagnostic comes up that the transmission needs a rebuild.

So, get a shift kit, the **** dam, kevlar friction plates, kolene steels, and replace the aluminum input drum with a steel one?

Edit: And all new electronics in the tranny, don't want them to go bad and have to tear it all apart again.

Anyone else recommend anything else? There's a thread on here that I don't have access to that is supposed to talk about a lot of transmission upgrades, which seems to be the case with most of the old useful threads. :/

 

[TheScaryOne]

So, the dealer test-drove the car, had no codes, and checked all of the pressures. All normal. Fluid looked clean, proper level. :/

I drove it around after that beating on it, to see if I could get it to happen again, and it wouldn't. Crossing my fingers and hoping it was a fluke.

 

[SolidState]

sounds like an issue with the hydraulic controls.

My old 94 ATX had a scoured valve and bore in the valve body causing erratic valve movement. The car exhibited some very odd shift characteristics at times.

Unfortunately, it required a new valve body and the mating plate (name escapes me at the moment).