Bah humbug- 3-4 clutch pack failure 2007 Tahoe

[SolApathy]

So it seems I have this dreaded failure on mine. it's a 2WD /non-police transmission. no 3rd or 4th, pulling trans fuse did nothing. Just stuck in second. Was forced to drive about 150 miles at around 45mph in 2nd to get it home. trying to determine based on the folks that actually have these...Should I get it completely rebuilt, or just buy a rebuilt and have it put in?

I've been to a few shops, they all recommend rebuilding it at a cost of $3-3,500.00 I only have 152k on the odometer, and besides that it works beautifully.

I am obviously looking at the lowest price/quality. Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

[NickTransmissions]

So it seems I have this dreaded failure on mine. it's a 2WD /non-police transmission. no 3rd or 4th, pulling trans fuse did nothing. Just stuck in second. Was forced to drive about 150 miles at around 45mph in 2nd to get it home. trying to determine based on the folks that actually have these...Should I get it completely rebuilt, or just buy a rebuilt and have it put in?

I've been to a few shops, they all recommend rebuilding it at a cost of $3-3,500.00 I only have 152k on the odometer, and besides that it works beautifully.

I am obviously looking at the lowest price/quality. Your thoughts are appreciated.

Get it rebuilt by a competent transmission builder who knows those transmissions and how to make them last. Most remans are shit IMO.

There's a bunch of things I do to all mine to ensure that they last and shift better than they ever did from the factory.

 

[NickTransmissions]

I am obviously looking at the lowest price/quality. Your thoughts are appreciated.

Just re-read this (skipped right over it initially)...Lol, if that's the case, take it to the cheapest, most ghetto flat rate shop you can find. Maybe get in and out for $1000 but it wont last all that long.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@NickTransmissions What are some clues that people like us can look out for when getting a quote from a transmission shop that would indicate they are the right shop to go with?

 

[NickTransmissions]

@NickTransmissions What are some clues that people like us can look out for when getting a quote from a transmission shop that would indicate they are the right shop to go with?

The first conversation, specifically the questions they ask (or don't). Here's my initial questions that I always ask, assuming the prospect doesn't volunteer the info:

- what year, make, model?
- how many miles?
- any recent trans work done?
- what are your symptoms and how long have they been presenting/happening?
- how do you use the vehicle (dd, street strip, racing, tow/haul, off-road, etc)?
- truck/suv: Is the truck lifted and if so, what's tire size and have you updated the final drive ratio to account for the bigger tires?

If a shop isn't asking those questions, id want to know why (assuming you're not visiting in person w/the vehicle).

Also, when you ask the shop what they do specifically when overhauling the unit and in what ways they fix pattern failures common to a given trans (6L80, for ex), they should be giving you a response that indicates they're familiar with the unit and know what to do. I point-blank tell folks exactly what i do and why I do it so they know I'm not charging them for stuff they don't need and that there's an entire build strategy in place for a given transmission that I know works. I then cover my warranty, assuming I wasn't already asked about it.

Knowledge and the ability to effectively communicate that knowledge that a customer, who may know next to nothing about transmissions, can absorb and can make a decision on is vital IMO. It's not easy to do so most shops simply don't even try...Ones that do are worth your consideration.

Edit - typos

 

[SolApathy]

Thank you, I appreciate the reply. That information helps a lot.