*** HELP *** 1992 XLT w/ Tranny Problems...Again!!!

[MustangDos]

A little bit of quick history:
When in OD - Truck would serge and release, but not lose power - Fixed w/ tranny filter change & flush.

When starting, would back fire and would not start - found loose vaccum hose

All new shoes & disk, calibers, rotor, seals & bearings, brake hoses.... Front & Back

NOW!!! After the tranny filter change and flush & brake work, on occasion, the truck will act like the parking brake is on, make some load metal grinding noises , and wants to slow down. This happens when I go short distances not over 50 mi/h. I am usually able to get it to stop if I let off the gas and slowly get back into it. On occasion, I have to stop and let the truck "Cool off" for about 10-15 mins.

Any suggestions or any ideas on what I may have done wrong...and YES, I have checked the fluid levels and all is good!!!

 

[MustangDos]

I forgot, I also replaced the water pump and termostat and several hoses last week end...what a chore that was...Those hoses must have been superglued on The fan is in poor shape, a lot of cracks and is a little wobbly (will replace that and the fan clutch this weekend as well)

 

[Glacier991]

Your problem may very well be the transfer case.

 

[Gadget X]

Has the transfer case by any chance been run "dry"?

 

[Wrench]

Are you sure the brakes were done right? Do you smell anything unusual when the event happens? What do you mean by let truck cool off? Noise coming from where on the truck? So, you have checked the TC & trans fluid levels. What color. Any metal count?

 

[MustangDos]

Are you sure the brakes were done right? Do you smell anything unusual when the event happens? What do you mean by let truck cool off? Noise coming from where on the truck? So, you have checked the TC & trans fluid levels. What color. Any metal count?

Yes, the brakes were done right. Even if they were jacked up, that wouldn't account for the truck not going into gear. (I forgot to mention that in my original post...When this happens, the truck goes out of drive, not on the shifter, just the tranny, and I have to switch from Park thru 1st to get it back in gear and move....)

No unusual smells, Cool-off=turned off for 10-15 mins, noise is coming from the front undercarage somewhere, Trans fluids are at normal levels, and it is still red, not seeing any metal many I changed the filter....

Is there a seperate check for the transfer case?! I have never fun out of fluid, just a quart low once...

 

[MustangDos]

Your problem may very well be the transfer case.

If it is, how would I tell? Does this mean that the transfer case is the only thing that needs to be replaced?!

 

[Wrench]

Just take things a step at a time. The TC has its own fluid separate from trans. There are two plugs - drain and fill on the rear side of the casing. Check when vehicle level. Fluid should show at the bottom side of the fill plug hole. I'd drain the old fluid out just to check for metal and color. Check the drained fluid with a bright light for filings. Maybe stick a pencil magnet inside the drain hole to see if any chucks come out. I think you have the 4405 TC but a tag on the casing will tell for sure.

 

[MustangDos]

Just take things a step at a time. The TC has its own fluid separate from trans. There are two plugs - drain and fill on the rear side of the casing. Check when vehicle level. Fluid should show at the bottom side of the fill plug hole. I'd drain the old fluid out just to check for metal and color. Check the drained fluid with a bright light for filings. Maybe stick a pencil magnet inside the drain hole to see if any chucks come out. I think you have the 4405 TC but a tag on the casing will tell for sure.

Silly question...Transmission fluid goes in the TC?!

 

[Gadget X]

Yeah, you put tranny fluid in the transfer case.

 

[Glacier991]

But it is separate from the Trasnmission, they just use the saME LUBRICANT

 

[MustangDos]

Just take things a step at a time. The TC has its own fluid separate from trans. There are two plugs - drain and fill on the rear side of the casing. Check when vehicle level. Fluid should show at the bottom side of the fill plug hole. I'd drain the old fluid out just to check for metal and color. Check the drained fluid with a bright light for filings. Maybe stick a pencil magnet inside the drain hole to see if any chucks come out. I think you have the 4405 TC but a tag on the casing will tell for sure.

Fluid was a little dirty, but there were no metal particals found & it was not low. It is not the 4405TC, but L something or other...(I forgot already and I just looked at it) I did however fix a vaccume leak and that has clamed the idle down quite a bit. I also found that the rear brakes were locking up...not adjusted properly, which would account for it feeling like the parking brake was on. The truck is riding a lot smoother and not going in and out of gear as much, but is still doing it. The "whining" noise when I put it in reverse (I forgot to mention that too), is coming from the tranny somewhere, just can't figure out where...

I had taken it to Cottman Transmission today and they told me that it be not need an overhaul, just a few parts replaced. They recommended that I NOT take it back to their shop, as the prices where to high there. (I wasn't going to anyhow, as I was just looking for them to pin point what was wrong). They suggested a person closer to where I live, which another person recommended to me already to look at it a little closer and his prices where WAY cheaper.

I wish the owner wasn't standing around so that I could have written down what the parts he told me needed to be replaced. But he did give me his cell number, so I guess I will be making that call later tomorrow to get the parts list.

 

[MustangDos]

I got the rear brake freed up. I had to use a damned hammer to get the drum off as the brakes had grooved it. Replaced the drum and put it back together. * Problem solved * Not exactly. Yes the brake was locking up, but I still have the issue w/ the tranny...It seems that the TC fluid was burnt...darker that I originally thought. I still do not see any metalic particals though. Refilled w/ a Turkey Baister (what a pain in the ass). The fluid in the tranny was also smelling a little toasty. I removed the cover and drained the fluid out. Still no metalic flakes there either. Put on a new gasket and refilled.

Now, I have not had the same problem with it going in and out of gear while I am driving, now it seems that it doesn't want to go in to Drive or Overdrive right away. I have to put it in 1st then 2nd the Dive to get it to go forward. I don't hear the "whining" noise in reverse anymore either, but it has only been a few hours since I did all that. I have also been "babying" my baby, trying to just make it a few more months on this tranny if at all possible.

If anyone has any more ideas as to what I can look at w/out having to overhaul this tranny, I'd sure appreciate it...

 

[MustangDos]

Ok...Now that I have replaced the TC fluid (very dark) I have noticed that most of the slipping has subsided, but still occasionally exists. There is no longer a delay of going into Drive from Park, nor is there an issue with going from Reverse to Drive. I have not noticed the "Hard" shifting either.

Hopefully this and babying it, I will be able to make this tranny last until I have the time & $$$ to get it overhauled....

Thanks for all the help and advise...