Should I rebuild my trans before we take trailer out west ??

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

Need some opinions, because I am torn. Our 2000 suburban has been towing our passport for a while now, and we now have 200,000 miles on a trans that has not been rebuilt. I am thinking of just rebuilding it now, but it shows no signs of trouble. Do not want her to drop out on our big trip next year out west.

[beergardens]

Not sure how many miles are on your present fuel pump, but I would almost certainly replace it before the trip. With the transmission, however, I share the same doubts as you and would probably leave it alone. I knew someone years ago who had a transmission rebuilt proactively before a trip, and ended up being towed home with a transmission failure anyway.

[boosTT]

I wouldn't risk making the trans worse by opening up the case. I wouldn't touch it.

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

Does anyone use lucas additive like I do ?? Another kind ??

[camping_man]

Just don't hold it in reverse too long backing in, that's sure to test the clutch seals in your transmission. Line pressure about doubles on a 4l80 in reverse. They have valve body fix kits to relieve that on those trannys. I found that out the hard way,800miles from home. Backed in my site, and it never drove out, all the seals were in now in the bottom of the pan.

[hawkeye-08]

When you have serviced your transmission, did you notice anything unusual in the pan (you have serviced on regular basis, yes?)? If you have never had any symptoms (like slipping or irregular shifting), and you have serviced regular without any indication of problems and have not overheated trans, then keep your money for emergencies and enjoy your trip.

I was considering doing basically what you are when my daughter was switching coasts every 3 months (she worked on east coast and went to college on west, switching every 3 months). I did not want her truck to have transmission problems so considered changing it proactively, but ended up just servicing it. It has run fine for another 50k miles so far with no problems.

[BurbMan]

DownTheAvenue wrote:
What about the alternator, water pump, idler pulley, air conditioner, and power steering pump? I bet they all have 200,000 miles on them as well. Are you not considering replacing them, too? That is a lot of miles on those bearings and other parts. They could fail just like that transmission, even though they show no signs of failure right now. Get my point?

True, but these items are fairly common on a 1500 burb, and a roadside failure would mean a tow and a quick fix. A transmission job, even installing a Jasper, may mean several days of downtime depending on availability and shop time. I think some depends on the OPs planned schedule...if the trip involves several national parks with hard to get reservations a blip of several days could ruin the trip.

[kvangil]

DownTheAvenue wrote:


What about the alternator, water pump, idler pulley, air conditioner, and power steering pump? I bet they all have 200,000 miles on them as well. Are you not considering replacing them, too? That is a lot of miles on those bearings and other parts. They could fail just like that transmission, even though they show no signs of failure right now. Get my point?

Exactly...On a 2K-3K miles trip out west, any component can fail, or none at all. You may spend $2K-3K on rebuilding the transmission, then be stranded on the side of the road because the alternator, fuel pump, wheel bearings/axles, or something else gave out. I'd stick with doing the Preventive Maintenance, and hold on to the $2k-3K that you would've spent on the transmission for a "just-in-case" breakdown on the road. And make sure you have good road-side assistance.

[DownTheAvenue]

MARK VANDERBENT wrote:
and we now have 200,000 miles on a trans that has not been rebuilt.

What about the alternator, water pump, idler pulley, air conditioner, and power steering pump? I bet they all have 200,000 miles on them as well. Are you not considering replacing them, too? That is a lot of miles on those bearings and other parts. They could fail just like that transmission, even though they show no signs of failure right now. Get my point?

[Tachdriver]

Mark:

Including installation of a Jasper transmission by a qualified mechanic cost me about $2500 to $3000. Be sure to google one near you for a better quote on you installation.

however I do believe in not touching it until you really need to. As you can see by these posts that a random repair/overhaul does not mean it was done right. Run it until you get some slipping or lose a gear.

Not to pull on Jasper but they install improved parts that have been known to be weak in the first place.

Until then:
Have your transmission serviced by draining and refiling the fluid at MFG recommended intervals. Do not recommend a flush.
install a transmission cooler if you do not have one.

Rob

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

Thanks for response. I think I will gamble and not touch it. I will however have extra money ready in case of emergency. Will let you all know how this works out in long run.

[Fast_Mopar]

FishOnOne wrote:
Had a Chevy 700R4 transmission rebuilt at a Chevy dealer and it was never the same. In a bad way!

I would pass on rebuilding a good performing transmission that has been routinely serviced.

I agree. I received a Ford recall notice on my van for a torque converter replacement and had the work performed at a large Ford dealer. My van has never been the same since. I wish I would have ignored the recall notice.

[bmanning]

Haven't read through the responses but I spent years "fixing things that weren't broken" on my vehicles and now see that it was a bit excessive/obsessive.

Most vehicle components will warn you rather than just going toes-up (there are exceptions of course, such as sensors). If your transmission is acting as it should I'd leave it alone, but ultimately it's your $ and your call.

[FishOnOne]

Had a Chevy 700R4 transmission rebuilt at a Chevy dealer and it was never the same. In a bad way!

I would pass on rebuilding a good performing transmission that has been routinely serviced.

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

How much for jasper rebuild ?