Metal shavings... bad

[Kukur]

Took my Wagon in to have the tranny flushed and new filter put in, when I got back to the shop the mech takes me out to the bay and shows me a good number of metal shavings in the pan.

I have no idea how many miles is on this girl (odom sits at 55k, but I know it has been flipped atleast once.)

Was told it was probably due to having a high idle then putting it into gear (which my dad had it running like that before I had the engine rebuilt.)

I know she needs to be redone, but should I just drive it until it dies (or I find $2k laying in a park somewhere) or will it do more damage if I don't get it done now?

Thanks

FYI - Funny thing is... once that filter was replaced, I don't have that annoying vibration quite as bad.

[mad dog]

Metal shavings can be a bad thing. I would fix it before you cause more damage.

[Zacko]

Run it till it pukes. The metal is coming from the clutch plates (unless it was chunks) and is a normal condition. Change the fluid again in 5 or 10K miles and if you still see a lot of wear then take some action. If it goes through the gears okay and doesn't slip then you are probablly still in a normal condition.
There is a lot of surface to wear away, so the pile of sludge could get rather big before you've done any serious damage.
It sounds to me like they were trying to lighten your wallet.

[Max Power]

I've heard that a rebuild costs the same whether your tranny is just sick or dead. May as well run it till it dies, unless you're afraid it'll die on a trail somewhere...

good luck,
Robert

[gsmikie]

drive that sucka

[AMC258]

Drive it into the ground, you could just about get a good rebuilt for $2000, if it works, drive it till it doesn't.

[GasWag]

Drive it like ya stole it smile.gif

[Jeepadilly]

The th400 is a strong beast. I agree to just drive it till the wheels come off...

[Kornchild]

If you are really worried. Why not rebuilt it yourself. Its not hard to do. A friend and I rebuilt mine in 1 day. 2 of the clutch packs required a "spring compressor" I don't know what they are actually called, but we just made out own out of c-clamps and some spair channel iron. worked nicely. The other one we used a threaded rod and channel iron. Its quite amazing the tools you can make. We also made our own pump puller. lol, you can make almost anything with a welder and a few air tools. Anyhow, the price breakdown is pretty easy. I bought my kit at napa 50 dollars, 6 dollars for a filter, new pump bushing 4 dollars, new torque converter 80 dollars. We basically put it backtogether how we took it apart. I am willing to be you could find a local person who you can offer a 24 pack and some time who would be willing to help. All it takes is time

[ June 03, 2003, 01:51 AM: Message edited by: Kornchild ]

[Kukur]

Zacko, just shavings nothing large that I could see. The fluid was nice and red with almost no sludge to speak of in the pan. I think I will check it after a spell and see if there is anymore in there.

Korn, would actually love to do it myself just for the learning experience, but all I have is a carport :( Am going to talk to a local machine shop guy (who races a lot up in Spokane) and see who he would recommend or if he is willing to help me out.

Will drive it until I can get the money together.

Thanks

[89grand]

Drive that b!tch like you hate it!

I'd only fix the tranny after it grenades itself, why fix it because of something silly like metal shavings?

[Kukur]

Sorry 89, what was I thinking!?! :D