Hey everyone! I’ve got a 2001 with the 5.9 and 46RE. For a while now (like over a year) I’ve been hearing a squeal at around 4k rpms, but it only happens when the truck is in gear and moving. Recently I heard it echo off a wall as I drove past and it definitely was coming from under the truck around where I was sitting. Previously I was thinking something engine related.
Now, I have had a code come up for the transmission relay (I tested and even replaced it with no resolution), then about that same time it started acting like 1st gear was slipping and almost slamming into gear at high rpm. I dropped the pan, changed the fluid, filter, solenoids and sensors. Put it back together and it was good for about 30 minutes. Got it back home and let it sit overnight. Next day I discover I lost reverse. I can still drive forward but sometimes it acts like 1st gear doesn’t exist, other times it shifts fine, but still has that squeal (sounds like metal on metal). I have glitter in the pan 🥴 so I know something is failing. The truck itself has 296,000 or so miles and the transmission has probably 1/2 that amount (had it rebuilt in 2010). It’s my only source of transportation, but I’m retired so I don’t drive much, but I definitely don’t need it taking a crap on me either lol.

 

Did you adjust the bands while you were in there?? Sounds like one of them is worn out, and slipping..... The glitter in the fluid though, that's gonna be a fatal flaw. No way to clean that out effectively...... So, yeah, it's gonna be rebuild/replacement time.

 

Sounds like rebuild time to me, given the symptoms, age and mileage...

 

no, I didn’t have the necessary tools to adjust the bands at that time. I have since bought a set of pass through sockets lol.

my next question is this… I’m looking at 2 different rebuild kits (kinda thought it was rebuild time) one is Raybestos GPZ with Kolene steels, the other is Alto with Kolene steels. My gut is saying to go with the Raybestos kit, but wanted other opinions.

thank you for confirming my suspicion and saving me money, time, and energy trying to band-aid a bullet wound.

 

Raybestos GPZ is what my rebuilder used when he rebuilt my 46RE transmission a few years ago. To-date, still very happy with it.

 

That’s what I was hoping to hear. I’m going to be tackling this project myself, not necessarily out of desire, more out of necessity. I’ve done one rebuild previously (GM 4L30E) and I found a website and YouTube channel called transmission bench, they have a complete walkthrough of the 46RE so I feel confident about tackling it.

thank you for the input.

 

I used Alto Red and Koleens back when I rebuilt mine. The Raybestos GPZ are a touch better and get the Koleens. https://www.ebay.com/itm/37248260094...Bk9SR5LOmMDXZQ
It will wake up your tansmission up. Also get a Sonnax Sure Cure kit or Zip Kit.

 

that’s what I was thinking too (the Sonnax kit). Also, that same exact kit you linked on eBay is cheaper at the same company’s website. https://transpartswarehouse.com/r220...t-1998-02.html
they are my go to for most of my transmission stuff.