48RE repair advice

[Paddy McMahon]

Fellow TDR members w/ transmission repair experiences I am seeking out your advice... Lost o/d in my truck the other day and took it in to shop... 180K miles on truck.

truck was diagnosed=bad o/d solenoid. replaced solenoid, adjust bands, chg fluid,etc and reassemble. . to a cost of $800 and still no o/d and told by shop that o/d clutches are shot. I wish I knew what those were... They advised install reman. transmission for $4000. I am asking for suggestions here: I don't know anything about transmissions other than they cost $4000 to replace and I don't have that money on hand. FYI-Now the tow/haul button does nothing-no downshift, etc. Right now the truck drives, but no o/d so it will sit in my driveway until I have $$ to get it repaired. Rebuild, reman. or new? Just to see I called Goerend- no new transmissions until June. I commute over 100 miles daily to my job site. Can I drive my truck (at 2500rpm/60mph) w/ out damaging anything until the money tree blooms? Any positive advice would be much appreciated.

 

[HBarlow]

The long list of mods in your signature suggests your application requires a performance rebuild such as another Goerend, DTT, or other vendor/builder. A local transmission shop rebuild or one the shops buys and installs from another source is just going to be a waste of money for you.

Performance costs money. There's no way around it.

 

[JCockerill]

WHats deal with leadtime on goerend? are they out of cores? or just back logged?

 

[Bob4x4]

Cores are getting harder to come by that is for sure,Cases are not available new anymore either.

 

[JCockerill]

A goerend trans is in my future and i'm wondering if it would be better to send him my trans and leave the truck laid up in stead of getting a core.

 

[Bob4x4]

A goerend trans is in my future and i'm wondering if it would be better to send him my trans and leave the truck laid up in stead of getting a core.

As long as yours is in good shape that way works for most builders,I know last I heard DTT offers a discounted price for that way

 

[Paddy McMahon]

The long list of mods in your signature suggests your application requires a performance rebuild such as another Goerend, DTT, or other vendor/builder. A local transmission shop rebuild or one the shops buys and installs from another source is just going to be a waste of money for you.



Performance costs money. There's no way around it.

I appreciate your input. Truck has been driven in stock setting for the past 50K, but your advice is heeded. I need to squeeze another 150K/5 years out of this truck before I can afford to buy another, so a reman or stock rebuild will likely present a repeat of this situation. Thanks again.



What about the driving around "as-is" for the next month while I save $$ for the work? Risky?

 

[Bob4x4]

If it is already acting up I would leave mine parked. If more hard parts are damaged it will cost considerably more for the rebuild

 

[Paddy McMahon]

WHats deal with leadtime on goerend? are they out of cores? or just back logged?

Backlogged according to them. They can send parts to a local builder or one of their recommended shops, but a new complete unit not until Late May/early June. We laughed about this together on the phone in that Goerend is very busy while the economy would indicate otherwise. Their reputation & business has expanded greatly since I bought my TC from them five years ago.

 

[Paddy McMahon]

Thanks Bob. Looks like I'll be commuting in my Volkswagen camper van or on my XR400R... ..... what a choice!

 

[Bob4x4]

I am thinking the Honda would be the fun way but the LEO's might frown on that

 

['strokeThis_'07]

You're looking at a 3 month wait on a Goerend trans. I've had mine for about a month that I ordered in early Dec. I believe.



Not complaining, just that's what the wait is. It's been worth it so far.

 

[cerberusiam]

Did they run the pressure test to make sure the OD is not holding? If they didn't then they are guessing.



Did they change gov solenoid and transducer at the same time they serviced it? If they didn't there is one thing that needs changed.



The button and light on the dash is seprate from the circuit that controls OD. Does the dash light come on when you go to TH?



Did they verify the solenoid was good\bad? Did they add a ground circuit and test the circuit to make sure it is not electrical?

 

[Paddy McMahon]

Did they run the pressure test to make sure the OD is not holding? If they didn't then they are guessing.



Did they change gov solenoid and transducer at the same time they serviced it? If they didn't there is one thing that needs changed.



The button and light on the dash is seprate from the circuit that controls OD. Does the dash light come on when you go to TH?



Did they verify the solenoid was good\bad? Did they add a ground circuit and test the circuit to make sure it is not electrical?

1. Not sure... I will ask Monday.

2. see above-invoice says o/d solenoid assembly- not listed in parts on invoice.

3. Yes. and it feels like there is a surge/change to the transmission when button is pushed, just no downshift.

4. Yes. applied power & ground-solenoid was being commanded to operate, but was stuck or bad. replaced solenoid.



Thank you for your help Cerberusiam. I was hoping you would chime in. I'll follow up tomorrow and post info. Truck is parked for now.

 

[cerberusiam]

I didn't see where the pressure transducer and governor solenoid was replaced. They are seprate from the OD and lockup solenoid and are a major source of issues with these units.



These are the ones I mean: Transmission Solenoid Sets at Discount Prices !





Adding a mystery switch to pin #7 on the trans control harness and grounding it thru a 1/2 watt 33 ohm resistor will engage the OD solenoid. You use this to drive around electrical issues and validate the mechanical portion of OD is working or not.



If it still does not engage OD then it is likely the OD clutch pack. That resides in the OD unit of the transmission which can be removed and rebuilt without trans removal.



The TH button also changes the TTVA program and its first step is to unlock the TC, that is likely the surge you feel.

 

[Paddy McMahon]

UPDATE-Truck serviced at another reputable shop-Main transmission & all electrical components checked out ok. Found internal leak in o/d clutch-overdrive clutch pressure was low and o/d clutch pack was shot-replaced clutch friction & steel plates, replace torn o/d clutch piston seals and truck is back on the road for $1200. Consistent with your statements I was told I could buyout a reman o/d unit for $1400 as an option.

 

[DonFitzwater]

UPDATE-Truck serviced at another reputable shop-Main transmission & all electrical components checked out ok. Found internal leak in o/d clutch-overdrive clutch pressure was low and o/d clutch pack was shot-replaced clutch friction & steel plates, replace torn o/d clutch piston seals and truck is back on the road for $1200. Consistent with your statements I was told I could buyout a reman o/d unit for $1400 as an option.

You got off cheap for a guy with a worn out trans! I'm just going to order one expensive part at a time from Goerend for my new 2006. Good luck to you!

 

[TGVET]

Here is a list of the rebuild I just got from the shop I am having do my 48RE. I'm wondering if there is anything missing I should be concerned about. I'm not installing a billet input shaft as I was told that is an added expense not needed unless I plan on towing beyond 9,000 lbs. I just replaced my solenoid and actuator with B. W. but they want to install a new set anyhow as they say they do go out. My OEM worked fine for 7 years, I replaced them at their recommendation with the hope that it may improve the shift issue I thought I was having since my heat exchanger went out. It made no difference and they will be giving me back those parts I just put in as they require NEW ones to guarantee their rebuild. I was expecting more detailed information but this is it from the invoice. Any thoughts/suggestions much appreciated.



Transmission / HD with triple disc tc

TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS IN UNIT AS LISTED

BELOW BUT NOT LIMITED TO : VB INSTALL KIT

INCLUDED REGULATOR AND BILLET BAND ANCHOR IS

INSTALLED IN TRANS .

custom valve body to enhance shift quality and also generate

more pressure to help with longevity.

2ND GEAR UPDATED VIA BILLET SERVO AND

ACCUMULATOR , ( These two items are made to seal up the

transmission so that the higher pressures generated by the new

shift kit can get to the rear clutch packs . The Dodge

transmission lives and dies by pressures. There is a tremendous

amount of internal leakage inside the unit that causes all the

issues they have today. These two items are very important to the

transmission pressure sealing.



Billet flex plate.



4. 4 RATIO LEVER AND CUSTOM SPRING TO ALLOW

MORE MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE IN 2ND GEAR, ,

CUSTOM RINGS, CUSTOM VALVE BODY, HD BAND

ANCHOR, HD BAND STRUT, NEW WIRING HARNESS,

OD AND LOCK UP SOLENOIDS, AFTERMARKET

GOVERNOR SOLENOID, GOVERNOR PRESSURE SENSOR.

BILLET PISTON AND UPGRADED 3RD GEAR CLUTCH

PACKS. NEW CLUTCHES, SEALS AND GASKETS , ECT.

 

[TGVET]

I didn't see where the pressure transducer and governor solenoid was replaced. They are seprate from the OD and lockup solenoid and are a major source of issues with these units.



These are the ones I mean: Transmission Solenoid Sets at Discount Prices !





Adding a mystery switch to pin #7 on the trans control harness and grounding it thru a 1/2 watt 33 ohm resistor will engage the OD solenoid. You use this to drive around electrical issues and validate the mechanical portion of OD is working or not.



If it still does not engage OD then it is likely the OD clutch pack. That resides in the OD unit of the transmission which can be removed and rebuilt without trans removal.



The TH button also changes the TTVA program and its first step is to unlock the TC, that is likely the surge you feel.

Has anyone ever spoken to Robert or Jamie Gaul at Electrical Advantage Inc. ? I find it very annoying that a company selling on the internet DOES NOT list a voice number. A little digging turned up an old cell phone number that the now current subscriber has gotten over 50 calls on and is very pee'd off about. . There is an 866 number to call which immediately goes to a FAX. I called 411 today and got a resi-land line and only got a "non-personalized" recording. .



I guess if you're selling on the internet, not needing to have a live conversation with a potential customer is not detrimental to sales. Sure wish I could sell my business that way. .

 

[Bob4x4]

I would always run a billet input with a triple disc converter