Ok I need a little advise.
My son owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4
The problem: It feels like the transmission is slipping when I put it in reverse.
He took it to a very reputable transmission shop to have it checked.
They found nothing wrong (ended up putting a filter in with a flush) They told him they thought it was the brakes (maybe the e-brake)

Today we put the rear end up on jack stands, and removed the rear wheels.
I put it in forward and reverse while checking the brakes,(disk brakes) no problems. Put it all back together and checked it again. Same thing. It just feels like something is slipping in the transmission or rear end.

Could it be in the rear end?
I'm not sure what to do. Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

 

Hard to help with such a vague description "slipping".
Does the engine over rev for what seems appropriate?

Rear ends dont slip to move the truck.
The ebrakes should barely drag when up in the air.

 

Ok
When I put it in reverse, and punch the gas, the truck moves but not like it should. I do the same thing in forward, and it sets you back in the seat.

I would describe this as slipping!

 

Does it only happen after sitting overnight?....If so your truck may be suffering from morning sickness......Actually the torque converter is draining an excessive amount of oil into the pan overnight....You can verify this condition by starting the vehicle in neutral and see if the "slipping" is cured......Also there is some issues with rear clutch seals but you should have some concern with the 2-3 upshift such as a delay when cold.....
Brian

 

It does it at all times. even after driving it to work (10 miles).
But I will try starting it in neutral as you suggest.
Thank you

 

Since it does it after hot, then you have another issue than i thought....I would also check fluid level in neutral to make sure it is full.....I would also confirm the correct filter was installed....The 99 has a hard plastic filter, using the earlier design could cause issues....If all seems ok so far, then I would connect a 0-300 pressure gauge to pressure port on transmission case and look at pressures.....if pressures are low and increase with rpm, then you have an hydraulic issue in valve body or pump.....If pressures are good, then i would suspect a problem inside the torque converter ( it would feel like you have an extremely high stall condition and would improve with speed)...Generally if the converter is coming apart, there will be evidence in oil pan...

Brian

 

Brian,
Thanks for the input.
Transmissions are a very complicated machine (at least to me) thats why we all take them to a shop.

And because I took it to a VERY good shop (that's all they work on) and they told my son that his tranny was good and the problem was in the brakes, just really throws me off. I plan on calling them up Monday to see what they can do.

When you say to check the fluid in neutral, what does this do? As opposed to checking it in park.
As far as the filter, the shop replaced it so I have to assume they put the correct one on. The shop also told my son that it looked like it had normal wear, so again I assume the pan was ok. (I really hate this kindof thing especially because I fix everything myself except for transmissions)
May I ask, are you a transmission tech? Maybe I should show them your post! Is there anything else you can suggest.
I'll let you know what they say or find.
Thank you
Don

 

I am indeed a transmission tech......When the gear selector is in the park position the hydralics will not let the torque converter fill quickly and fluid is left in the pan, so you have a false reading...Sure, show them the post....Brake problems could cause a no reverse conditon but it would feel like a binding of the vehicle, not a slip.....

 

Here's an update.

Took the truck back to the transmission shop.
They found that when moving the truck in revese you could here a noise and it would shutter
and kinda do a wheel hop (hard to explain) something was definatly not right!

So they removed the fill plug from the rear diff. cover and put a magnet down inside,
and pulled out chunks of metal about the size of a cotter pin that had disintagrated!

The owner of the trans shop thinks I have 2 problems, something in the rear end, and the transmission.
But what they want to fix the trans, is more than what my son is willing to spend. $1100-$2400
We decided to bring the truck home and look into the rear end problem first.

So we got the truck home and dropped the rear diff. pan.
The good news:
is there are no pieces missing from any of the gears! the ring, pinion, and all of the
planitary gears look fine!

The bad news:
I cant find were all these pieces came from, or what the problem is.
The only thing we found was a piece missing from a sprocket looking gear (with fine teeth)
that is bolted to the side of ring gear. I assume it is for slinging the oil, as it does not
engage anything else! There were also pieces that were jammed or smashed into the edge
of the sprocket plate.

The troubling thing about it is I cant tell were the binding is coming from.

At this point I have a mechanic freind coming over tonight to give me his opinion.
He also works on transmissions so we'll see what he says about that too.

 

What about placing the rear axle on jack stands and see if wheels turn freely ?