My 99 ramvan 2500 with 135k miles, wasn't shifting into 2nd gear, took it to a well known transmission place, and they showed me what was sitting at the bottom of the pan, the front band anchor, which broke off the adjuster. Anyways the guy said the front band was junk too, and said the transmission had to be rebuilt at a cost of $2200, which i thought was ridculios cause the van is probably worth 1k bucks if that. after doing a little research today online i saw i can purchase parts for the tranny pretty inexpensively, so i have some questions, do i have to drop the tranny to does this? also looks like i have to drop the valve body in order to get access to the band and anchors, is the band easy to replace? is the vb re-assembly a difficult one? i am mechanical, but never done this before, and of course my last option would be leave it and drive it the way it is, it does shift from 1st to 3rd, once i let off the gas at the top of 1st gear, but that can't last very long.

 

When that anchor falls off, the front band digs into the front pump and seal. It runins the sealing ability of the seal and the front pump is now scored.
It is standard operating proceedure to rebuild when this happens. Fixing it is just a band aid.
Good luck and BTW I just had my rebuilt for 1200 ( I have the 3 speed ) with a new TC and front pump. I had the same issue -- along with grit in the bottom of the pan...

And IIRC, you have to drop the tranny, remove the TC and front pump to get to that band.

 

you don't think if i drop the vb and put a new anchor in?, and adjust the band externally, i can buy some time?, the van just isnt worth, even dumping 1k into. i'm hoping the band isnt damaged too bad or scored anything too bad, i only drove it 10 miles since that anchor dropped.

 

You're much better off buying a used tranny out of a junkyard and just swapping it out.

 

Agreed a boneyard tranny, known good with clean cherry red fluid is a good way to go, will save you money time and effort.

Best of luck