Diagnosing Transmission issues. Need some advice

Growl60 · Aug 13, 2012

So after having some major problems with my transmission (m50d+4x4) I pulled it a few days ago. It would grind when I take my foot off the gas in any gear going over 25mph coasting, it also grinds when coasting in neutral. The last thing it did was I lost reverse and It started violently slipping in and out of first gear and a little bit in second gear. I noticed the transmission was leaking from the shift plugs on top, which ive read is a common issue. I only got maybe 2 or 3 quarts out of it when I drained it. The fluid looked a little dark but not burnt. When I pulled the top cover off the transmission I didnt see any metal shavings or broken teeth. All the gears looked to be normal and in good shape. The throwout bearing looked a little worn but im not sure what kind of shape its in, I dont know alot about them. The slave cylinder was in good shape and the clutch is newer. What caused the failure? The previous owner CLAIMED the truck started having these issues after he did an engine swap. Any suggestions?

tx3nc · Aug 13, 2012

I'm thinking that one or more of the bearings holding either the main or counter shafts has failed and is allowing the shafts to move apart from each other and allowing the gears to skip. If you hear a grinding noise when sitting still in neutral, I've heard that is a pretty sure sign the bearings are bad. If none of the gears are chipped, you should be able to replace the bearings. There is one or two that must be pressed on.

The trans only holds 5.6 PINTS (not quarts) of Automatic Transmission Fluid (NOT gear oil). Sou8nds to me like the fluid level was ok.

Growl60 · Aug 13, 2012

I think it might be cheaper for me to replace the whole transmission rather than rebuild it. But that sounds about right. It was leaking pretty bad too from the top.

tx3nc · Aug 14, 2012

Growl60 said:
I think it might be cheaper for me to replace the whole transmission rather than rebuild it. But that sounds about right. It was leaking pretty bad too from the top.

It might be. Depends on how much you can do for yourself. That is not meant as a shot. One of the most valuable skills a do-it-yourselfer can have is to know when to stop ****ing up and turn the job over to professionals. In other words, know your own limitations.

The main bearings are not that expensive and the transmission is pretty easy to work on. No special, super secret alignment procedures and a minimum of special tools needed. A shop press is very handy to have for this. Problem is, if the bearings are toast, did it overhead the shafts they are on or cause other damage that will make the project spiral out of control.

Growl60 · Aug 14, 2012

I dont have a lot of transmission experience, Im better with engines. I can tell this transmission has been abused and it has a lot of miles on it. I dont want to get too involved in tearing into it then finding out something worse is wrong with it. Id rather get another one. I mean the transmission is already out. I know my limitations. Plus its good experience for when I have to change my clutch again.

tx3nc · Aug 15, 2012

Growl60 said:
I dont have a lot of transmission experience, Im better with engines. I can tell this transmission has been abused and it has a lot of miles on it. I dont want to get too involved in tearing into it then finding out something worse is wrong with it. Id rather get another one. I mean the transmission is already out. I know my limitations. Plus its good experience for when I have to change my clutch again.

Good idea. Though what I might do personally is that if the source of the new transmission doesn't require a core, I would install the new trans and get back on the road. Then I would tear into the bad one to figure out how it works.

Diagnosing Transmission issues. Need some advice

Growl60

Active Member

tx3nc

Well-Known Member

Growl60

Active Member

tx3nc

Well-Known Member

Growl60

Active Member

tx3nc

Well-Known Member

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