96 T&C Transmission problem

[jerryls]

Reverse stopped working while stuck in snow in my driveway. I pulled the car back in the driveway and thought just reverse had gone(posted before on this). When I tried to push the car in the diriveway backward while in Nuetral and engine off, it rolled about 6 inches then acted like it was in park. I finally got it to roll by putting it in drive(engine off). When I tried to drive it into my garage, I had trouble getting it to engage in forward. I finally did. It drove with noises and someone said fluid was squirting out under the car(not sure on this part). I know it souunds pretty bad, but I was wondering if anyone has any ideas of what's going on? It's a late model 96 3.8 FrontWD.
Thanks

[v8carreragts]

Sounds like the planitaries broke.

[jerryls]

Originally Posted by v8carreragts

Sounds like the planitaries broke.

I see rebuilt kits for these transmissions $200 or so, Are the planitaries replaceable or do I need to buy a rebuilt transmission for $1K or more?
Thanks

[v8carreragts]

Rebuild kits do not come with hard parts. But everything is available. I just rebuilt mine using the latest planitary set. (5 pinion) You just should make certian that you get US made parts because the Chineese parts are made from substandard materials. You can get these here:
http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/me...ry_Code=A604hp

$304 is a good price for this. I would also recomend using a genuine MOPAR Master Rebuild kit. This comes with everything including the filter and pump bolts. Also use a TransGo kit. It is about $22 and cures many shifting issued including 1-2 bump shift. You can also buy a soleoid rebuild kit here:
http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/SearchResults.asp

I bought my MOPAR Master Kit on E-bay for $179. I also replaces every sensor because I didn't want any problems. Just make certian you know which version you have. 1996 was a year that a change was made with the PRNDL switch. If you have one plug facing up it is late. If you have 2 plugs facing towards the front (one PRNDL & one back up light switch) it is early.

To replace the rear planitary you need to remove the transfer gear that is attached to it. It is torqued to 225#feet. I got lucky and was able bought the gear holding tool for this on e-bay for $19. It is about $150 new. You could make one out of angle though. I also bought the tool to remove the pinion bearing snapring. ($59) It is about 8" down in the case and I couldn't figure any other wat to remove it. You will also need something to compress the clutch pistons. I have rebuilt many auto trans before so I already had this.

This trans isn't difficult to do it is just time consuming. You need to set the clutch stacks correctly (in tollerance) and the input shaft end play. Buy the 2 ATSG books. They have everything you need.

[jerryls]

Thanks for the detail. It sounds like a pretty intensive time consuming job. I don't know if I want to look around for the special tools etc. I may just try to find a wreck with the same transmission and replace it or possibly take it out and bring it to a transmission shop to have it rebuilt. My feeling is that they may not rip me off as much as if I towed the van into them. In either case I have to wait for the warmer weather, as it's too cold and my garage is full. One last question- Do i have to replace all that stuff? I was hoping it was something more simple like a clutch solenoid or shifter mechanism?

[v8carreragts]

Since you had trouble moving it I think there is something broken inside.