We have a converted Grand Caravan (3.3L 2002...ish?) which we use to transport our son in his wheelchair. Turning in at the end of our street, my wife reported she heard a loud clunk and managed to limp the van home. When I got home I checked it out and when shifting from N to D and to R there was a rough mechanical clunk on engagement of each selection. I hoped it may be a CV joint about to destroy itself and decided to limp it the 2 miles to our regular mechanic. He called us the next day to report that there was a problem with the transmission pin...? I'm not too familiar with auto-trans and have no idea what he's talking about. I'm hoping that there isn't too much damage as the van still drives. Either way I figure it's a question of replacement or rebuild. The van has barely 70k on it and I wasn't expecting tranny issues at this stage of the game. We can't easily replace the van due to the conversion so we have to fix it somehow and until we do, our son is basically housebound. What are the options and approximate costs...?

 

VERY common failure. differential pins break, come through the case and destroy the transmission. that's what your problem is. The number 1 cause of this pin failing is when people get stuck and spin the wheels trying to get free. I have a very CHEAP way of replacing your transmission.

 

Please expand...

I was considering sourcing a transmission and doing the swap myself but I lack the time and facilities these days. As much as I hate splashing the cash for something I can probably do myself there's often little alternative...

 

if you were near me, I'd install a 70,000 mile trans with warranty for $500 parts and labor. let me know where your location is and I'll see if I can source a low miles trans cheap for you.

 

Hi MickM
Do you know if the transmission case has a hole or is leaking transmission fluid?

 

I'm in Deerfield, NH

I'd have to check with the mechanic but I don't recall seeing any leaked fluid down the street or on the driveway which makes me believe that the case is in tact. Plus I drove it very carefully the mile or so to the mechanic and it shifted ok, which it wouldn't do without fluid, right...?

 

If the transmission case is okay, then you can replace the final drive assy.Or get a final drive assy from another 41TE trans and make the shim adjustment for the side bearings.