2nd gear trouble

[RDedrick]

this all started on my vaction last week. the week before i had the transmission serviced. it was fine all week and than i pulled my camper to the outer banks, nc from knoxville, tn. we stopped about 2 hours from the coast and stayed the night. the next morning everything started fine until i got to the coast. when i hit the stop lights and tried to pull out from a dead stop 1st was fine and when i hit 2nd the rpms came up and i slowly gained speed. after i got in to what i think was 3rd it was ok. it seemed to have tbl between 15 to 25 mph. it even does it unloaded. the trans works fine if cold but when it gets hot the rpms would climb. if i do not let it get high enough into 3rd and give it to much pedal it would down shift and i could hit redline. i got the truck and camper back home. the camper is only like 9000 lbs and i had about 400 lbs in back of truck. does anybody have an idea what the tbl could be. any help would be appreciated. would anybody know a good place to take it to in knoxville tn. not sure i want to take it back to the dealership. i have about 104000 miles on it.

 

[cerberusiam]

From your description, either the front band is shot or way out of adjustment. You can try adjusting it and see if that helps but pay attention to how many threads are showing after it tightens up. If your down to 1 or 2 the flex bad is done.



Since you have 2nd gear it doesn't sound like the linkage fell apart but the bands are flimsy and will bend at the connections and cause them to not adjust correctly.

 

[Motorhead]

Just a question... When the trans was serviced, did they do a "machine" flush? I have heard of issues after a guy had his trans flushed with a pressurized transmission flushing machine. They can knock debris loose and cause problems in the valve body. What ever you do, don't let it slip in second. That just will damage it further.

 

[RDedrick]

have not tryed adjusting the band. What happens if the band is done. Are they easy to replace? Not sure about the machine flush, i took it to a dodge dealership to have it done.

 

[cerberusiam]

have not tryed adjusting the band. What happens if the band is done. Are they easy to replace? Not sure about the machine flush, i took it to a dodge dealership to have it done.

The transmission will have to be removed and partially disassembled to fix the band if that is the issue.



I would take it back to the dealer and tell them it broke after they serviced it, might be worth a shot. Normally they will just drop the pan, change the filter, and refill. If they tried to use a flush machine and did it incorrectly then that could cause the issue you are seeing. Since the other gears seem to be working and its just 2nd gear its probably not a VB problem but that will take an R&R to determine exact reason for failure.

 

[RDedrick]

i think i am going to take it back to they this weekend and see what they say. I bet if they have to pull the trans and take it apart, it is going to be expensive. Wonder if it would be better to replace the whole thing.

 

[SWithrow]

Just did mine, it took about 3 days (taking my time) and replaced the band with a heavy duty band. Works great and only cost me $35 plus some fluid. :-laf Good luck

 

[RDedrick]

just got call from dealer ship and they said the trans is shot. he said could rebuild it but would not know what it needed until they took it apart. but he suggested getting a rebuilt tans and it would be covered 3 year 36000 mile. said it would cost $5000 for trans and labor.

 

[Motorhead]

$5,000 for a stock trans. For that money get one that is set-up for extra power and towing.

 

[cerberusiam]

Yeah, for $5k you can have a GREAT transmissions instead of stock rebuild.



Order a good one from one the Big 5 and have them install it. You will be happier in the long run.

 

[RDedrick]

ya. i could not believe it. the problem with a new one is the cost. can not really swing that wright now. i would really love to have. i have looked at ATS and suncoast, what are the other ones, and do they have a website? In the middle of adding on to the house and not sure what i am going to be able to swing.

 

[SWithrow]

First thing is get a second opinion, i was told mine was shot but it ended up being a $35 part.

 

[Motorhead]

First thing is get a second opinion, i was told mine was shot but it ended up being a $35 part.

I second his saying get a second opinion... Does that make sense????

 

[cerberusiam]

My guess is the front band is the problem. The rest of the trans may be fine if you fix the band and leakage in the apply servo. Your taking a chance something else is wrong that will show later, but, choices.



FYI, the 48RE is pretty tough and the typical failure points are right there in the front of the trans, direct clutches and front band. A lot of times the rest of the trans is fine if you just fix the issues and you haven't thrashed the truck.



You probably won't have a warranty but if the $$ aren't there for it then its a nice to have. If the dealer won't just fix the problem see if you can find another shop to do it with the understanding you won't hold their feet to the fire.



Also, Garmons Diesel in Griffin GA is relatively close. They build a mean trans if want to pony up the bucks, but, they may fix your issues looking for return business when it goes. Check with them and see what Jeff will do.

 

[RDedrick]

Tried adjusting band on trans and nothing is left. Backed nut off and screwed bolt all way in until the nut hit, did it by hand. looks like going to need adleast a new band. Guess i am going to have to get rebuilt.

 

[SWithrow]

Sounds like the wedge or the strut has fallen out of place. Drop the pan and see if you have any parts in the trans if your lucky the band is ok. You will have to drop the valve body in order to check the band. Check the ends on the band where the strut and wedge sit in and make sure they are not damaged.

 

[RDedrick]

well took the truck to a local shop and got it rebuilt for $1500. said the middle band was gone and there was a spring in the back end that was broke. put in new clutches, bands, seals, torque converter, and solenoid. truck is shifting pretty good. told me not to hook 5th wheel to it for about 300 miles to let clutches set in.