700R4 Teardown and Inspection: Rebuild Gone Wrong

[@thegalli]

Man it takes a lot of humility to ask someone else to come behind you and check your work, especially when you know it didn't go right. Big respect to the guy.

[@nickstransmissions]

Yep, it absolutely does...The customer deserves to be recognized for that. Thank you for doing so, @thegalli!

[@mortsnerd]

You are truly a craftsman sir.

[@nickstransmissions]

Thank you, Mortsnerd! Enjoy your Labor Day!

[@joshuadeats6768]

Another quality video. Best transmission information around so many little tips that are easily overlooked. Glad to see this amazing channel growing !

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks for the kind words, Josh!

[@jcf4273]

Casual passerby…..I like to tinker with engine building and such……I am truly amazed at how complex an automatic transmission, even decades old ones are. I watch these every once in a while from the various content creators in this field. Mainly to remind me to stick to engines! What a feat of engineering…..

[@nickstransmissions]

Thank you, John! I feel the same way; it's amazing that we could develop/build something that does what an automatic transmission does.

[@mikeschaner5853]

That's a whole lotta work just to realize you're in over your head. Props to the customer for giving it a shot, learning from his mistakes, and unfortunately having to send it out. Much respect for the humility.. Although I'm sure he wasn't very humble when he realized in the moment. Good show, hustle on!

[@nickstransmissions]

For sure, much respect to him for doing so. Thank you for watching, Mike!

[@Spector_NS5_RD]

Nick, your videos are very detialed. I'm using your videos to help rebuild a 97 4l60E 2WD. Sun shell was broken where the the sun gear for the rear planet splines into. Thank you for all the effort you put into these videos! BTW, I noticed your Apple watch is never unlocked while filming 😝

[@nickstransmissions]

Thank you for the kind words, Spector_NS5_RD! Appreciate the views...And yes, that watch never unlocks itself, haha😆

[@wilburnmiller1851]

You are the best transmission builder on u tube. You explain everything so well. Then you show the build of the unit. Keep up the great effort. Love your videos.

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks, Wilburn - appreciate the feedback! Will do.

[@PuredirtMike]

Most excellent work.My 2003 gmc 1500,4.3 v6,4l60e transmission went 270k before It didn't lock up (overdrive).My tranny guy said drive It In drive If you want until It quits forward motion.So at 302,000 It finally slipped bad.Got a full rebuild w/new converter with same case.It drives like a Cadillac again with 333000 miles.All original except water pump,and new intake gaskets.Amazing durability.

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks, Mike! Sounds like you got your truck running real nice, esp at 333k - that's amazing, man!

[@onestopfabshop3224]

20 miles? Wow! I'm subbed and have been watching your 4L80E videos. Thanks for that, much appreciated.

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks, Onestopfabshop! Appreciate the view and welcome to the channel!

[@hybridmusclegarage4590]

Great video as always!!

[@nickstransmissions]

Thank you, HMG!

[@crpgap9595]

I'm absorbing every bit of knowledge I can from you and a couple of other channels. Yours is the easiest to understand because your thorough, detailed without being confusing, and present plenty of examples of what to do or not. Good advice on choices as well. So far I've only attempted a repair on a ZF5HP19 and it didn't go well. Fixed the original issue and broke something else. Still trying to figure it out. In the meantime, I'm just going to plow forward and try to do a complete rebuild on the 700R in my '87 Chevy Silverado. I think it no longer locks up and it has at least 200k on it. Wish me luck, LOL! Almost forgot, what's the best way to identify early vs late '87 without opening the trans?

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks, man - appreciate the kind words! Those ZF5HP29s can be tricky, esp all the little restrictors in the channel plates...

[@robellison01]

I love the fact that you could do an autopsy vid without bashing the builder to make yourself look good (like some channels do). But that paper towel roll is backwards (1:34:27) and its driving me nuts.

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks, Rob...Yep, in this case the builder is the customer and unfortunately this happens sometimes but not the end of the world...The shop towel roll, on the other hand - haha, I just prefer it like that for some reason. Thank you for watching!

[@LarsonFamilyFarm-LLC]

Good call on the low-reverse piston lip seal being cut damaged on the install. Outer lip seal looks pinched when installed....wondering what's the optimum way to install-align w/ lots of assembly lube on piston and lip seal back in... do you use a slight "turning action" while applying even pressure to the piston? I think you answered my question later in this video....4 to 6 hammer smacks and the piston should drop in....and more hammering you risk cutting the lip seal.

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks, man...I'll have a video on the channel next week demonstrating low-reverse piston installation and air checking.

[@timweb1510]

Good work

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks, Tim!

[@LarsonFamilyFarm-LLC]

That's a shame on the case scoring...I need to pay close attention to that area...did not know that could happen.

[@nickstransmissions]

Yep, sucks as the case is otherwise perfect.

[@nickheiland3397]

If you take ur screw driver and smack that anchor up and out the drum usually comes right out.

[@nickstransmissions]

One out of every 20 or so 700R4/4L60E tear downs gives me issues like that; of course the one happens when I'm filming. Thank you for watching.

[@rust_hoarder_garage]

Another excellent video, question, could the input shaft be pressed out and greeen loctite used to repair it? I have seen it mentioned in other videos.

[@nickstransmissions]

Thank you, Rust Hoarder Garage! You can use the green Loctite to repair, sometimes it works but sometimes the wear is extensive enough that it still won't seal completely.

[@broken1965]

if it can be machined deeper than use spaceer somewhere

[@nickstransmissions]

Hi Jon, thanks for watching. If you're referring to the low-reverse piston sealing area at the back of the case, unfortunately it can't be machined, at least not with anything my machinist has. I spoke to a few other machine shops and none would even look at it.

[@paulmathews5686]

GREAT VIDEO AS ALWAYS , I have come to the conclusion that these 700 R 4 ' S , were " LEMONS - PERIOD " !!! Having to do that many upgrades on 1 trans is " NUTS " !! HOWEVER , I am taking notes & I now after several of your videos on this 700 R 4 , I am seeing and calling the issues with the parts , right before you announce the problems you found !!!! I am paying close attention , because I intend to understand these " LEMONS " from top to bottom after this last " FAILURE " at only 61,000 miles , & serviced religiously every 12 K !!!!!! DUE TO GET MY TRUCK BACK IN A DAY OR TWO , & FROM ME ASKING A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT ALL THE UPGRADES , THE OWNER WAS ANOID WITH ME !!! ( TOUGH - SHIT - GUY ) I AM THE ONE PAYING THE BILL , GOT IT !!!!! JUST ANOTHER " SMOKE & MIRRORS " TRANSMISSION SHOP !!!!!!! THEY JUST WANT YA TO PAY THE BILL & " GO - AWAY " !!!!!!! I will be getting a couple cores from the salvage yard & will go thru them watching your videos , I will master these " LEMONS " THANKS FOR ALL YOUR TOP NOTCH VIDEOS , KEEP THEM COMING !!!!!

[@nickstransmissions]

Thank you, Paul! Appreciate the kind words as always!

[@thegalli]

Ship of Theseus time: Is the transmission the case? If you change the case is it the same transmission?

[@nickstransmissions]

Great philosophical question! I'm inclined to think that it is a different transmission once you swap the case. This one will have a different case, new forward drum, reverse input drum, reaction shaft and center support so, in keeping with your question - it will be a totally new/different unit.

[@mikeholmstrom1899]

Was the thimble filter & it's o-ring in the side of the pump OK?

[@nickstransmissions]

Hi Mike, thank you for watching and good question. The thimble filter and o-ring were intact, no issues were observed with them.

[@nickheiland3397]

Don't remember what vehicle this goes in but if he's hot rodding it like it seems to be the build he was going for I would take that low reverse cushion out.

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks, Nick - it has crossed my mind to do that...Vehicle is a 1970 GMC 4WD Truck so no hot-rodding but he prefers firmer shifts.

[@nunyabizznizz7326]

1:08:51 look at all those parts...not for a DIY project

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks for watching!

[@nunyabizznizz7326]

@@nickstransmissions love watching people do what they are good at, and i am clueless about....

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks again, man - appreciate the kind words.

[@musclebone7875]

700's are weak! Th400💪

[@nickstransmissions]

Ha! 4L80E💪💪 Thanks for watching, Musclebone!