Rebuild transmission, lowering

[csm85c93]

Well, I just had a very good day. Went to a local mechanic and he said he'll rebuild my tranny for 1 grand, all heavy duty parts. Right after that, I went to an allignment place and asked how much it will be to rebuild my front end, put progressively wound hotchkis 1" lowering springs and bump stops and spring cussions, and new shocks. Another grand, and thats what I expected to pay. I'm going to try to talk them down some tomorrow but my car will be looken and driving good by April 15th. What was mostlikely wrong with my tranny was the Sunshell. So if this helps anyone, My reverse was "slipping", engaged fine, but as soon as I push on the gas pedal, nothing happens untill I hear a vibrating noise. And after, say a week, it engages and you push on the gas and nothing will every happen. Hope that helps someone.

[RexNfx400]

Just to let you know. If the sun shell is broke or has spline damage. You will have no reverse, notta, nothing at all. You won't even feel anything. Shell works or it don't. Watch out. This is where 700's get their bad reputation. Too cheap a rebuild.

Heavy duty? Ask em if they are installing a 5 pinion rear planet. Now thats heavy duty. Then tell them to show it to you right there on the spot.

Don't mean to be negative. Just warning ya.

Stay cool

[csm85c93]

Thanks for the help. I'll try to go over there tonight just to make sure he will have one on hand. Yeah, to me, the way he explained it, just didn't sound total right. Owell, I'll find out next wed or thursday what it is defently wrong.

[csm85c93]

Anyone have anything to say about Monreo sensa-trac shocks? Good or Bad because thats what might be going on my car.

[dxrflyboy]

I haven't had much luck with Monroe shocks. Some have leaking seals right out of the box. After seeing the last set I installed on a car completely blown after 6 months, I've sworn off using them ever again. I've had much better luck with Gabriel.

Just my thoughts on lowering the front of your car: A better but more expensive approach is installing drop front spindles. Most give about a 2" drop while maintaining correct suspension geometry and ride quality. They run about $200 each.

[csm85c93]

Yeah, I've seen the drop spindles before. I never considered them because my dad had a truck that was lowered 4 in front and 6 in back and the steering on it was not as good as stock. We just assumed it was from the drop spindles. I hope I have better luck then you with the shocks sense I hate spending money when I don't have it right now.

Also, an update on the mechanic. My car still isn't done and I dropped it off Tuesday night to be started on Wednesday. He started Thursday because he was backed up. OK. But then, he stops in the middle of rebuilding my trans and works on some other cars. Friday afternoon, I stopped by and hes at the same spot, but he said he would work on it after lunch and then saturday. Went saturday and nobody was there. Wouldn't you think when he said "I can get the trans done in a day and 1/2", it would atless be done by friday? Owell, just me venting frustation having to drive my parents minivan around.

[dxrflyboy]

I used to run into the same problem when I was younger. People think they can push you around. It's definitely one of the many reasons I'm glad I can do my own car work. Did you give the guy a deadline as to when you wanted your car back? If not, he may be thinking he can just keep putting you off. This is just one of life's little lessons. Part of your written estimate should include date and time of completion. It's one thing to run into a problem on a job and be stuck. It's an entirely different matter when someone just puts you off like that. Unfortunately, all you can do is be as patient as possible for now and find someone who treats you with a little more respect the next time you have your car worked on.

[csm85c93]

Yeah, the last mechanic ripped me off. But I went after lunch and he had the trans done and the rear lowered. He is waiting on the ball joints to do the front. Atless its sooner then what it would have been if I would had another shop to do the lowering.

While my cars in the shop, I took off 2 of my door panels and in the process of redoing the wood. I'm painting them with a shade shifting, green to blue. I already have one done and I'm pleased. I will post pics when I have it all done.

[dxrflyboy]

When you mentioned your dad's truck didn't steer as well with the dropped spindles, I dismissed it as due to the rest of the mods. But then I realized there is one thing drop spindles do change: scrub radius, which has to do with where the steering axis intersects the tire centerline. While the suspension geometry doesn't change with the drop spindles, altering the scrub radius may have an adverse effect on the steering as well.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear the shop is back on track with your car. Maybe he was putting your car off before since he had to wait for parts anyway.

[motorman702]

Originally Posted by csm85c93

Well, I just had a very good day. Went to a local mechanic and he said he'll rebuild my tranny for 1 grand, all heavy duty parts. Right after that, I went to an allignment place and asked how much it will be to rebuild my front end, put progressively wound hotchkis 1" lowering springs and bump stops and spring cussions, and new shocks. Another grand, and thats what I expected to pay. I'm going to try to talk them down some tomorrow but my car will be looken and driving good by April 15th. What was mostlikely wrong with my tranny was the Sunshell. So if this helps anyone, My reverse was "slipping", engaged fine, but as soon as I push on the gas pedal, nothing happens untill I hear a vibrating noise. And after, say a week, it engages and you push on the gas and nothing will every happen. Hope that helps someone.

iF YOU WANT TO PUT A BAD ASS TRANNEY IN YOUR CAR LOOK AT THE 4L80E OUT OF A DUELLY

[burnM]

^^ You serious, motorman? Will that bolt right up and use the same vss? I have a digital dash in my Caprice.

[motorman702]

Originally Posted by burnM

^^ You serious, motorman? Will that bolt right up and use the same vss? I have a digital dash in my Caprice.

It will work i did it to my 1995 caprice i bought a kit witch includid everything to do the job including a new crossmeber its very cool

[burnM]

Where'd you get the kit? How much?

[motorman702]

Originally Posted by burnM

Where'd you get the kit? How much?

Hers the link i think it was about $3500.oo by the time i was done but well worth it the 4l60e is a pice of junk past 400H.P
htpp://www.transmissioncenter.net/4L80E.htm

[burnM]

Saved to favorites. Thanks!