Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Help - no gears at all

[DLausche]

Was getting on the freeway about halfway home tonight. Kicked it down and something popped and it is like in neutral now. No forward, no reverse, does not make any sounds like it is attempting to go into gear at all. Shift lever feels normal. Park works. Engine runs fine. No bad noises noted. First thought is the input shaft. How do I tell? Drop the pan I suppose and see if there are any broken pieces. Then pull the trans?



Any tips are much appreciated.



-Deon

 

[BDaugherty]

The input shaft will usually break at its smallest point which is where engages the T/C... if I remember correctly. If yours is a 4wd, make sure that transfer case didn't jump into neutral... . but I guess if park works, then you're good on that. Might as well pull the transmission. It may be as simple as a input shaft, but you still have to have it out to fix it. I would call Suncoast or one of the others and "ask a pro". Then I'd take it out and have it fixed by a REPUTABLE trans guy.

 

[DLausche]

OK, got the trans out today. Got a couple of questions. How do I tell if the input shaft is broken? It moves in and out about 3/8" but will not pull all the way out. I can spin it by hand but it feels like it is spinning in ground up bits of gravel - it does not spin smoothly. What is the "reactor shaft" for? Is it stationary or does it spin? Finally, I was going to try to change the input shaft for a billet one myself but I am not sure if this is something I should attempt. Is it easy to change the input shaft or not so easy?



Thanks

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Typically if the input shaft is broken the trans will need to be disassembled and cleaned, it gets all kind of crap in the fluid. Also, the transmission cooler and lines will have to be flushed.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[Bob4x4]

The shaft may be spinning in the drum,the splines can let go or the drum can split a bit allowing the slip.

 

[kenny61]

take the top cover off and look inside

 

[WILLD420]

Assuming trans is out on the ground.

Pull all the bolts on the pan and pull it off. Undo the valve body and pull it out, undo the front band, take out the strut. Pull the bolts around the front pump housing and pull it out. The input shaft and drum may come out. Beware, lots of these parts will be slippery and heavy. Also the trans will become very, very tail heavy, so have it secure before you go pulling things out.

It would suck to have it fall off a bench and break something important. Especially if that something is YOU.

My best advice is a Factory repair manual and one of the many books on the 727 Torqueflite.

It's a real PITA to rebuild one of these if you haven't ever done one before. If you are in a hurry and haven't done one before, I'd buck up and take it to a shop.

It's not impossible, but it is pretty technical and requires a lot of clean area, parts cleaner and time to do the job right 3 times so you are sure it's going to live.

 

[Bob4x4]

take the top cover off and look inside

:-laf no top cover on the auto

 

[DLausche]

Thanks for the insight and great info guys. Budget is always a concern, but the more I think about it, I think it is likely best to just bring it to Goerend and have him go through it and fix what needs to be. I can tighten my belt a bit to pay for it to get done right. The overdrive has been a bit noisy for a year or two now so it probably makes sense to get that attended to whilst it is out of the truck.



So, a billet input shaft obviously makes sense for me. Do I need hardened or billet anything else while it is under the knife? How about a better flex plate? Last dyno I was at 422/870. I might up the hp a bit in the future but probably not tons more than where I'm at now. I know that Goerend will obviously know all the answers to these questions when I ask his advice. I am just trying to get a handle on how much jungle this is going to set me back right now.



Last question: Where do I read up and learn about torque converters? I am thinking I'd like one a bit tighter but have no idea how to judge what I have now or what might increase the smile factor. The one I have now is an ATS triple disk. I have been very happy with the purple stuff for 4 years now. I admit I did not really know what to ask for (in a converter) when I bought the stuff years ago. Gonna try and do some addl research this time around.



Thanks

-Deon

 

[kenny61]

:-laf no top cover on the auto

Input shaft sounded like a manual :-laf:-laf:-laf My Bad