4 Spd Auto Dying? Nsw Advice Welcomed!

[Power]

Hi,

HISTORY:

Well, I've had around 279rwkw, followed by 303rwkw in February (doesn't sound a lot more, but a torque monster, and also wide sticky rubber at the same time). It now looks like my car, or should I say the driver, might have trashed the 4sp Auto.

Although the car was first modded 30/06/2005 to full APS Phase II 279.9rwkw + valve springs + 'shift kit', and had a significant amount of work in the 303rwkw subtle beast upgrade, it has only travelled 30,500km since new, and probably had Phase II at a few thousand K's after new.

So, the history is long, but the km are very low, perhaps just over 25,000 with 'big' power/torque.

The car HAS been thrashed, whenever/wherever possible. That is it's purpose. Never had a trans cooler put it in, strangely that was about to happen just for the hell of it, but as the car is not raced, not stalled up ridiculously, and probaly 20 times ever (for me that might be stalling to 1,750rpm for a few seconds), it didn't seem critical - and it appears the clutches are holding up well.

THE PRESENT:

Sunday 1/04/2007:

Suddenly, for no apparent reason in some heavy traffic I noticed a whinning noise for the first time about 2km from home, arrive home. Time for a long drive of 250km with the wife and kids....worried, but lets go.

Leave home, about 5km down the road stop for gas, as I pull in and slow down a definate 'clunking noise was heard). THIS NOISE HAS NEVER REOCCURED - HOPING IT WASN'T THE SOUND OF A GEAR TOOTH WORKING ITS MERRY WAY TO SOMEWHERE IN THE BOX.

Cut a long story short. In full auto-mode your would not be able to discern any issue, in perf out mode again, no issues. Change to 'manual' mode and the problem is isolated. In 4, slow to 3, slow to 2, slow to 1 and WHINEEEEEEE noise (as my 9 y.o. son said, it sounds like a Porcshe Boxster).

The issue is backing off in 1st, in manual mode.

For the record a fellow in some Expensive Daewoo thing with 285 on the side gave me a run from a set of lights, and (silly dad with 3 kids and mum on board) absoltely destroys, no problem. Everything FEELS solid. With the shiftkit, the changes from 1-2 (often unavoidable chirps), 2-3 & even 3-4 are still uncomfortable I.e. seems all is well here.

Monday 2/04/2007:

Took it to my tuner who drove around the block. They don't do Autos but it was suggested it sounded like the PLANETARY GEARS were out of alignment. Go and see....

Wednesday 4/04/2007:

Recommended Auto Specialist goes for a drive. Says there is no such thing as the planetaries being out of alignment. Asked about hard shifts being an issue with planetary gears, he disagrees as he says this is FIRST gear. Do I use manual mode much, answer is YES in traffic almost all the time, he feels constant downshifting even in this box with all else stock will eventually do this.

What is the exact problem, impossible to day says he, without removing and inspecting. Suggests most likely a tooth gone from a gear and new planetaries required.....assuming metal hasn't gone through the pump, and this, and that.....

He says the 4sp auto is a bunch of s**t in these cars, nothing I have not read in these forums!

Now, we have not got to formal prices, only verbal estimates - but these prices seem scary compared to others I've heard of:

1) Full recon box $2,000 + $600-$700 for planetary gearset = $2,600-$2,700 (takes me to where I am - stock as a rock 4sp with a shiftkit)

2) Fully reconditioned/strengthed auto throughout INCLUDING chryogenic (heat?) work on major components INCLUDING planetary gears = $3,500 + $600-$700 for planetary gears = $4,100-$4,200

3) Add high stall converter $1,500 to either 1 or 2

4) Add cooler $650 to either 1 or 2

• Does this sound reasonable?
  
• I'm even wondering what my Ford dealer would charge for a new stock as a rock box?
  
• Any other members in Sydney have suggested alternative speicialists. This is what I'm most interested in.
  
• I can almost imagine doing a Melbounre trip for this job, but can't see how I would ever have the time.
  
• I've heard someone down there Yarra(?) does changeover boxes and can freight?
  
• I'm open to all suggestions, but after 43 years on this earth I worry about a cheap and even better fix so far from home...if anything goes wrong, the cost in time and stress to get it back destroys the benefits.
  
• Prices though I guess are the main thing I'm interested in. What have you paid for work similar to the above?
  

Thanks all

[xrdreaming]

I am somewhat of an auto expert by default having been involved in 7 rebuilds myself.

The symptoms you describe certainly sound like planetaries on the way out. The noise can last a few days or weeks and then with no warning it will lock in a gear and won't budge.

The cryoing of the gear sets is not necessary (We did one set to see how it would go and they lasted the shortest time frame.)

Without seeing the box it is true that an estimate is hard to make, if metal is everywhere through the box and stall convertor it will all need a good flush.

New planetary gears, kevlar bands, better clutch packs some valve body mods and a trans cooler should give you a box that will cope with 300 odd rwkw for some time.

These boxes are far from bullet proof even when rebuilt, but the above will give you a strong box.

A build like that would be between $2500-$3500 in Melbourne depending on who done the work. The stall quote sounds a bit high, closer to a grand $1200 max.

A good cooler will set you back $500-600 so that is in the ball park.

Good luck with it all, let us know how it goes.

[Power]

<snip>

A build like that would be between $2500-$3500 in Melbourne depending on who done the work.

<snip>

A hell of a lot less than $4,100-$4,200 in my case, in fact the price you mention is in the range guesstimated for just a recon box, as I said $2,600 - $2,700.

Interesting to say the least. Thanks.

[ford number 1]

http://www.protrans.com.au/

You could give these guys a call if its not who you already spoke too,Ive heard that they are doing good rebuilds on these boxes now

[Power]

http://www.protrans.com.au/

You could give these guys a call if its not who you already spoke too,Ive heard that they are doing good rebuilds on these boxes now

Funny, I've got a PM from another member stating the same Coy and things you say.

No, I was not aware of this choice. This is GREAT news.

Thanks for tkaing the time to reply, I'll be in touch with them tommorrow!

Cheers.

[INFLYT]

Another one here for Fred @ Protrans.