having found this site i have become somewhat of a troll. i am reading everything about by beloved dodge. every problem from door locks to tranny problems. my question is this...............
why so many tranny problems? i have a 1974 GMC pick-up and have never done anything to the tranny. it has survived 4 kids learning to drive and even my wife drove it to work for a spell, (until she got 2 tickets over 90mph in a 55!! OUCH!!!!)

ususally when problems happen people come up with the reason the problems happened and fix that problem.

im just curious!

 

People don't take care of them from when they're new (fluid/filter changes) and tow too much/tow with the transmission in overdrive.
Oh, and burnouts.

 

Not to mention that the transmission were weak from the factory. Ok, not the trans itself, but, the torque converters. When the t/c decides to let go though, it spreads nasty stuff throughout the trans.... so, rebuild time.

Dodge attempted to address this issue with "Torque Management", as opposed to spending a few more bucks on better torque converters.

 

It's almost an unfair comparison to compare any other automatic transmission to the TH400. Almost... It's valid because the TH400 proves that juicers can be done right while our 46RH/RE wasn't, but there's just nothing that compares to the 400. Not even the TH350.

The 46RH/RE was an evolving thing, which was why it didn't last so very long in production. Or in service. The aftermarket has figured out how to correct all of the significant problems, though. By now it's a matter of just doing it when you have the excuse to tear into it.

 

There are so many problems because too many idiots checked "4 Speed Automatic transmission with overdrive" instead of "5-Speed manual with overdrive" on the option sheet back in the '90s.

Torque management is also another reason why the trans grenades. Torque management allows the trans to slip into gear, causing more wear on the fluid, more derbis in the fluid, and more wear on the clutches.

 

the next tranny problem will result in a manual tranny! maybe

 

Keep in mind that most of the people here bought their trucks USED from someone who did not follow the manual:
1. Towing in Overdrive: Even the manual states to take OD off when going up a hill
2. Fluid checks and replacement: Some people don't get fluid changed until it is too late
3. Torque Converters: As stated, when they go, they make the tranny overheat. They should call them tranny killers.
4. Check Valve: This little nylon ball getting into the tranny has been the cause of many failures. Some tranny places will not warranty any of these trannies unless the check valve has been removed.

If you get your tranny serviced once every 18 months, delete your check valve, and get a tranny temp sensor, your tranny will last. The tranny temp sensor will let you know if your tanny is getting too hot. Then you can stop your truck before the damage is done.

--Dan

 

+1 There was actually was a member (I'm sure you and other veteran members know) that had a Ram with over 500K miles on it.

 

halfamil. His truck is a 95 so he didn't have a 46RE. His first transmission lasted something like 384,000 miles.

 

makes me feel better about my RH since it was rebuilt 34K ago, and ive been very good to it....for the most part.