OK picked up a 96 a few months ago, 4x4, 5.2L V8 with overdrive button. I'm assuming that means I have the 46RE?

The tranny is leaking like a bastid'. Both the cooler lines and around the pan. I'm going to replace the cooler lines, drop the pan, replace the filter and seal, and adjust the bands, and clean up as much as possible.

Few questions:

1. Best way to flush and clean as much as possible? I don't know when the fluid was last changed, but judging from the gunk and leaks, it was a long time ago. I'm going to be removing the pan and cooler lines anyway, which will drain out as much fluid as possible (air hose into the cooler to make sure), but if I can spray something into the tranny/cooler to help flush or clean it, I'd feel better.

2. Any other seals or parts that are easy to replace while I'm under there, or adjustments to make, special parts to clean off? Don't have time to drop the whole tranny right now, so just ones that can be done while its installed. I'm not sure where the leak(s) are coming from, they drip down around the pan, but that means nothing of course. I'm thinking the input and output seals would be good to replace, but I know at least the output requires dropping the O/D unit, but maybe the O/D unit output doesn't? All these seals are cheap so willing to replace whatever I can get to.

3. Anyone used one of the $25 overhaul kits, not sure what they include, there are about 500 of them. If there are any that include a bunch of stuff I'll need, might be worth it....

Basically just looking to R&R as much as possible from underneath, so if anyone has ideas, lemme know.

Thanks!
-Dave

 

You might actually have the 46RH tranny. I beleve the 46RE was in the 97+ trucks. Whatever you do, don't flush the tranny! Just drain the fluid and replace the filter. If you blow into the tranny, you'll most likely stir up shavings and debris that have settled in different places. Stirring it up may just help it into someplace where it could cause a problem.

There is no seaperate O/D unit on the 2nd gen transmissions. It's all in the same case. The transmission has a torque converter seal and an output shaft seal. They are both prone to leaking. Your best bet is to clean everything up, so you can see where it's leaking from.

 

Hmm the '96 factory manual only references RE's. But doesn't really matter, the seals are the same between the two according to parts lists. It does have the external O/D unit that can be removed from the back, but requires tools to keep the splines perfectly aligned if its removed. Those two seals both require dropping the tranny if I recall correctly. Its got 130k now, I am planning to drop and rebuild at 150k. I don't need to do a complete flush, just want to get as much of the old fluid out as possible, guess I'll just completely drain it, didn't think of stirring up chunks, but with the way this thing has been abused there are probably all kinds of pieces of crap in there.

Thanks
-Dave

 

Here is what I'm ordering
Shift shaft seal
speed sensor o-rings (2)
fill tube o-ring
pan gasket and filter (duh)
looking to see if the solenoid harness case connector has a replacable seal, I don't see any listed anywhere
some kooler kleen flush (for the cooler only, wont flush tranny)
Neutral/reverse switch with seal (might as well for $5)

I have some questions for anyone who has replaced their cooler lines. I'm looking at the two Dorman (Motormite) ones from Rockauto. Not much info on them, trying to figure out if they are complete from cooler connector to tranny connector or if its just part of it and I'll need new hoses, etc. And also if the check valve is included with theirs (and if not what the part number is for it). NAPA has a set too for more money, but looks about the same.

Dorman also has a "transmission line connector", anyone know if its already included with their lines or if I need to pick up a couple of these as well? Want to replace the whole thing as much as possible as they're old, corroded, and leaky. Not sure if its just a threaded NPT type fitting or the quick connect portion..... they don't have much info.

-Dave

 

The objective to flushing the tranny is to get rid of all of the shavings and other debris, let they float around and damage the internals. I had my tranny flushed about two weeks ago, and Jiffy Lube went all the way into the torque converter and cleaned it up good. What you propose is like a dirty bucket of water. Drain some, add clean, drain some, add clean. The problem is, the water never gets cleaned.

FLUSH IT.