noisy transmission

[Racincc85]

the trans in my 1990 lesabre makes a horrible chattering noise between 1000 and 1500 rpm. After reading some posts, i found it to be the drive chain in the trans that connects the torque converter to the gearset. The part is only $100 dollars, so i would like to save $$$$ on labor and replace it myself. Has anyone done this before or know how to do it? Should i take it to a shop instead? please advise. Thanks!!!!!

(the trans is a th 440t4)

[Doug Rodrigues]

Well, you don't know unless you try. What have you got to lose? If you can't complete the job just take it into a transmission shop to have them finish what you started. That's what I did a few years ago. I knew nothing about automatic transmissions. My C-6 Ford transmission went bad. I took it apart, looked at it, got the parts for repair, and put it all back together. Worked great for about $100. A transmission shop would have charged me at least $600! Of course I had my own hoist, tools, and free time to do it. Get the repair manual for your transmission from one of the auto supply houses first so that you'll know if special tools are needed.

**I canibalized the necessary parts from a transmission I bought out of a wrecking yard for $25. The rest of the costs was the rebuild kit and ATF.