1993 Suburban Transmission Fluid Change/Additive Questions

[1993Suburban]

First of all I apologize that this is the first post of a few I will make regarding my suburban. I just have a few questions about a few different things and I wan't to keep the thread topic clear on a single subject. Anyway, my suburban is a 1993 5.7 350 engine, Automatic tansmission, 4X4, 152,000 miles. Maintenance has been kept on the up and up by me and previous owner (this thing is my baby). My question here is about the tranny fluid/additive and fluid change. My transmission is fine, fluid has been changed the fluid once a year (last change being last summer) and since I have owned it (1.5 years). I have noticed somewhat of a rough shift shifting out of 1st into 2nd. Tends to shift harder when i accelerate faster, and more smooth when i accelerate slower. Also i notice more get-up-and-go after it shifts into 2nd. This is a usual occurance with my burb while taking off and shifting from 1st into 2nd, and this is the only time I notice this rough shift. This has always occured and it never really bothered me i just though i would pick your brains about transmission additive. I have heard sea foam works well (used it for my engine) but should be used prior to tranny flush. Any other good ones that could add without immediate tranny flush? I plan on flushing it this summer (around July) and I am new to do-it-yourself transmission flush. Any extra suggestions not made by the Chilton Repair Manual regarding transmission fuid flush and refill? Also are the after market transmission pan (with drain plug) any good? I apologize for the novel but I thought maybe a few of you had some suggestions. I appreciate all of your help.

~Suburban Freak~

[MT-2500]

Most additives are snake oil.
Say no to them.
Good clean fluid and filter is the best additive.

[Willyswagn]

I had a different experience. Mechanic told me I needed a new transmission. So I thought therewas no down side to an additive. Used trans tune and have had a good operating transmission for two years now and still have $2,000 in my pocket. Some recommend ARX (do google search) as a gentler additive.

[deezdrama]

Originally Posted by 1993Suburban

First of all I apologize that this is the first post of a few I will make regarding my suburban. I just have a few questions about a few different things and I wan't to keep the thread topic clear on a single subject. Anyway, my suburban is a 1993 5.7 350 engine, Automatic tansmission, 4X4, 152,000 miles. Maintenance has been kept on the up and up by me and previous owner (this thing is my baby). My question here is about the tranny fluid/additive and fluid change. My transmission is fine, fluid has been changed the fluid once a year (last change being last summer) and since I have owned it (1.5 years). I have noticed somewhat of a rough shift shifting out of 1st into 2nd. Tends to shift harder when i accelerate faster, and more smooth when i accelerate slower. Also i notice more get-up-and-go after it shifts into 2nd. This is a usual occurance with my burb while taking off and shifting from 1st into 2nd, and this is the only time I notice this rough shift. This has always occured and it never really bothered me i just though i would pick your brains about transmission additive. I have heard sea foam works well (used it for my engine) but should be used prior to tranny flush. Any other good ones that could add without immediate tranny flush? I plan on flushing it this summer (around July) and I am new to do-it-yourself transmission flush. Any extra suggestions not made by the Chilton Repair Manual regarding transmission fuid flush and refill? Also are the after market transmission pan (with drain plug) any good? I apologize for the novel but I thought maybe a few of you had some suggestions. I appreciate all of your help.

~Suburban Freak~

I have had the same exact problem in my 93 burb. It would shift really hard into second gear then be fine after that, I then used seafoam and had my fluid/filter changed- shifted fine for a month then got worse- I added lucus transmission fix- didnt help and now reverse slips so bad truck doesnt even move????

[1993Suburban]

Wow. Well that kinda makes me hesitant to put anything into my transmission. I have been kicking back and forth the idea of putting some Sea Foam trans tune in and then changing the fluid, or not putting in anything until the tranny completely stops working. Maybe for right now the only thing I should put into my tranny is transmission fluid. Anyone else have any experiences with tranny additive? Thanks for the replies, it really helps me out.

[wafrederick]

The best addative is Lucas and most auto parts stores sell Lucas.It is like STP and goes down slowly.Lucas has no solvents in it and it does work like it says on the commercial.

[1993Suburban]

Alright well I think i am going to try adding Lucas Transmission Fix. Any tips on adding this? I plan on changing the fluid and filter then add Trans. Fix and then fill it with fluid. Does this seem correct?

~Suburban Freak~

1993 Suburban, 5.7 liter 350, auto, 4X4
Firetruck red, glossy black fender flares, yeah it's a head turner
deepest sounding stock exhaust i've ever heard
friends call to cruise the streets, or to help them get unstuck!

[wafrederick]

Change fluid and filter first then put the Lucas in.Let half of the bottle in and let it go down,it goes down slowly than put the rest in the same way letting it go down in a funnel.

[deezdrama]

im no transmission expert - but i know my burban shiffted fine except for a little hard shift into 2nd- but when i changed fluid/filter and added lucas it went to hell - so i dunno good luck

[deezdrama]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

Change fluid and filter first then put the Lucas in.Let half of the bottle in and let it go down,it goes down slowly than put the rest in the same way letting it go down in a funnel.

it does go down slow- i stood there squirting the bottle for 20 minutes till my arm about broke off-lol

[Willyswagn]

Many like the auto-rx treatment has it dissolves the crud out of the transmission more slowly.

http://www.auto-rx.com/auto-rxnet/index.html

[Willyswagn]

Here is a good discussion on changing trans fluid:

http://theoildrop.server101.com/foru...e=3#Post885911