Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
HomeAnnouncements
Discussion Groups
By Brand
BMWChevroletDodgeFordGMHondaLexusMercedes-BenzNissanPeugeotToyotaVolkswagenOther Brands
By Topic
4x4 CarsRVsDrivingMaintenance & RepairCar AudioCollectible Cars
Country Specific
Australian ForumsUK Forums
ArticlesAuto InsuranceBuyingCars & TechnologyMaintenanceMiscellaneousSafety
DMV Resources
Related Topics
MotorcyclesBoatsMore Topics ...

Car Forum / Chevrolet / Chevrolet Trucks / August 2006

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

4L60E: Hard shifts again w/57k on re-sleeved valve body?

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
(PeteCresswell) - 11 Aug 2006 00:45 GMT
Is another valve body failure a sure thing?   Or could there be other causes?

My recollection is that the re-sleeving was supposed tb a relatively permanent
fix.    But 57k on the re-sleeve vs 30-40k on the replacements doesn't seem like
that much of an improvement.
Signature

PeteCresswell

SnoMan - 11 Aug 2006 02:17 GMT
>Is another valve body failure a sure thing?   Or could there be other causes?
>
>My recollection is that the re-sleeving was supposed tb a relatively permanent
>fix.    But 57k on the re-sleeve vs 30-40k on the replacements doesn't seem like
>that much of an improvement.

I am curious, are you running a aux cooler and changing fluid and
filter ever 20 to 25K or so?
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com
(PeteCresswell) - 11 Aug 2006 02:37 GMT
Per SnoMan:
>I am curious, are you running a aux cooler and changing fluid and
>filter ever 20 to 25K or so?

I got the optional towing package.   Does that include an aux cooler?

No, I don't explicitly change fluid filter that often because  my service guy
says there's a tradeoff between frequent changes and the possibility of
introducing contamination.

Having said that:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
36k: Valve body replaced and I assume there was at least a fluid change

76k: Valve body re-sleeved, ditto above

97k: Transmission serviced including fluid/filter replacement
---------------------------------------------------------------------

In my OP, I alluded to two replacements by GM instead of one.   I think I was
wrong in the OP - having taken some notes on the problem recurring at 67k as a
replacement whereas it was not.
Signature

PeteCresswell

SnoMan - 11 Aug 2006 14:41 GMT
>Per SnoMan:
>>I am curious, are you running a aux cooler and changing fluid and
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>wrong in the OP - having taken some notes on the problem recurring at 67k as a
>replacement whereas it was not.

There is a misconception on the need to change fluid. It gets grit in
it and it needs to be changed because filter in it does not get the
fine grit the accumulates for wear and changes remove most of this.
There is not danger of contamination from changing it unless you
change it is a dust storm. On the aux cooler, if it has one it will be
visable in front of radiator core stack. Also, you might look for
another tranny guy because this one is selling you a lot of fixs and
no long term solutions. When you get it fixed again, try changing
fluid every 15K or so and see what happens long term. (add a
aftermarket aux cooler too if one is not present. Do you actually tow
much?  
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com
(PeteCresswell) - 11 Aug 2006 18:23 GMT
Per SnoMan:
>Do you actually tow
>much?  

I don't tow at all.

I do, however, drive at 70 mph with a bunch of stuff on the roof (large
PackaSport cargo box, roof racks, windsurfers and/or surf kayak).
Signature

PeteCresswell

SnoMan - 11 Aug 2006 21:50 GMT
>Per SnoMan:
>>Do you actually tow
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>I do, however, drive at 70 mph with a bunch of stuff on the roof (large
>PackaSport cargo box, roof racks, windsurfers and/or surf kayak).

Kinda like towing is some regards because of extra drag. What axle
ratio code do you have in glove box (GT4 or GU6)?
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com
(PeteCresswell) - 12 Aug 2006 01:26 GMT
Per SnoMan:

>Kinda like towing is some regards because of extra drag. What axle
>ratio code do you have in glove box (GT4 or GU6)?

GU6
Signature

PeteCresswell

SnoMan - 12 Aug 2006 02:21 GMT
>Per SnoMan:
>>
>>Kinda like towing is some regards because of extra drag. What axle
>>ratio code do you have in glove box (GT4 or GU6)?
>
>GU6

That may be "part" of your problem in that it means you have a 3.42
axle ratio which is kinda tall (real tall with a OD tranny) which
means a lot of downshifts and added heating when driving at times
which adds wear and strain on tranny components.  At this stage you
make not want to regear truck but if you have oversized tires too the
tranny is working even harder still. Not trying to pick vehicle apart
but rather understand its high failure rate and look for possible
causes.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com
(PeteCresswell) - 12 Aug 2006 03:11 GMT
Per SnoMan:
>Not trying to pick vehicle apart
>but rather understand its high failure rate and look for possible
>causes.

From various threads in this NG, I had come to believe that the valve body
problem was endemic to the 4L60E transmission and that the re-sleeving would be
a permanent fix.

Sounds like I'm wrong on both counts and maybe just abusing the thing beyond
what it's designed for.   Never had anything like this happen on any of the
dozens of beaters I drove before buying this, my first new vehicle.  

What would you thoughts be on just replacing the whole trans with a rebuilt
version of something more robust?   Or having a rebuild done on this one that
converts it into something more durable?  

This vehicle is said to have at least 60k miles left in it (130k on the speedo
right now).   I *could* replace it now, but it seems to me like those last 60k+
miles are freebies considering the thing is practically worthless in light of
$3.00+ per-gallon gas - and it would be a shame to just give them away to
somebody.
Signature

PeteCresswell

SnoMan - 12 Aug 2006 04:00 GMT
>Per SnoMan:
>>Not trying to pick vehicle apart
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>$3.00+ per-gallon gas - and it would be a shame to just give them away to
>somebody.

You have few options here. You could bolt in a 700R4 (the 4L60e is a
700R4 with a different electronic valve body) It would bolt it but you
would get a error light from computer not seeing valve poby but 700R4
does not need a computer to shift, only to lock converter (it provides
power for it) You could also install a 4L80 (91 or 92 and it is based
on THM400 and a VERY sturdy tranny too)) with same results but the
700R4 would bolt right in to Tcase and mounts too as it is the exact
same case. If you use a 700R4 you want a 87 or later or a older one
that has been rebuilt to latest standards as all 700R4 are easily
upgraded on rebuild. Properly geared and cooled for load on it the
700R4 is a very reliable tranny even in stock form. People that have
problem with then have big tires and or tall gears and blame the
tranny not their mods.  I have a 89 4x4 burb with a 700R4 and about
189K miles on it and it has been trouble free (I bought it new) It
does have a aux cooler and 3.73 gears with stock tires and I do change
fluid every 20K or so too. The non computer controlled 700R4 does not
downshift as much as the 4L60E does with its computer controls and
reduces cycling of tranny servos.  You should give some thought to
regearing with 3.73's (4.10's if you are running oversized tires)  as
MPG will likey increase especailly in town and it will lower tranny
strain and temps with or without a cooler and greatly reduce the need
to down shift too. Every truck I ever drove with a 4L60 and 3.42 gears
was constantly hunting around in gears in town and on grades on
highway. Deep gears helps this a lot and you are not saving gas while
it is hunting around either.  
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com
 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2008 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.