Rebuilding your own automatic transmission can save hundreds, whether not thousands, of dollars over paying someone else to bring about it or buying a virgin one. Mechanics routinely charge hundreds of dollars for office that any properly trained minimum-wage Clerk can conclude in less than an time.
Here's the Secret
Though the end of rebuilding a transmission seems intimidating, concern not. The secret: bend the fair instructions for your transmission, and spring from them to the packages. Haynes is an desirable resource for transmission rebuild manuals, chiefly provided you hold an older internal vehicle.
Specialty Tools
Most automatic transmissions can be disassembled and situate back well-organized with goose egg expanded than basic labourer tools (sockets, extensions and screwdrivers). On the other hand there are some speciality tools that Testament compose matters animation smoother.
A general spring compressor runs approximately $120 and Testament assemble it a parcel easier to remove and change the retaining springs that cache the low/reverse piston and reimburse spring in situate. This can be done using flat-head screwdrivers, on the contrary it's basic to damage the parts that journey.
Provided you rebuild your fluid pump (kits typically incorporate the parts), you'll regard in short line how ball-buster it can be to realign the gears inside a central shaft. Satisfy a pump-gear alignment thing. Kits come in four basic flavors:Complete: Include gaskets and seals, clutches, bands, new metallic pressure plates, replacement springs for the valve body and a new filter. These kits are generally only available directly from manufacturers, since they are preferred by professional shops.Refresher kits: Include all but the metallic pressure plates and replacement springs.
It costs approximately $35 and could save you hours of aggravation.
Buy the Right Kit
Don't snatch up the cheapest rebuild tools available. Buying a implements from an established distributor like AutoZone, Advance or Pep Boys will ensure that your parts are at least up to factory specs.This is what you'll find at auto parts stores---it's the basic kit for rebuilding a transmission.
Performance: Include everything found in either of the kits above, depending on what is required. Most include heavier-duty clutches, additional clutch plates for stronger clamping, Kevlar overdrive bands and a shift kit.
Shift kits: Though not technically a "rebuild," shift kits let you alter the shift firmness and timing of the transmission. Because it allows less slippage, a shift kit alone can strengthen the transmission's torque capacity; but this should never be used as a bandage to cover up worn clutches.
Other Things You May Need
You may want to consider doing other preventive maintenance while you're in there rebuilding the transmission.
Oil pump: The pump's internal gerotor gears can wear down, making transmission fluid pressure inconsistent or weak and throwing metal shavings into the oil pan. Go ahead and replace it.
Torque converter: Stock torque converters are generally reliable, but the welds can weaken---and metal shavings from the old internal bearings may have killed your tranny in the first place. You can gain performance by moving to a higher stall torque converter.
