Can someone who has done this line me out on the kit to buy that will include everything I need to rebuild my A518 with whatever bearings, seals etc included. I've got tools, but would probably benefit from a book on the trans itself.

Not looking to do anything wild, it's a daily driver with 420k on what appears to be the original trans. Its time to rebuild and any cost effective upgrades are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

Most of the rebuild kits come with all the seals, gaskets, frictions, steels.
I think a lot of rebuilders say to replace things like thrust bearings, spacers, sun gears, etc.

You'll have to look closely at all your hard parts and bushings for wear.

I order a kit from PDD, which had some upgrades along with a shift kit. Also a low stall TQ.

I'm in the process of going through my 518 also.

 

Any tips before I get started pulling? I found a kit and goerend is shipping out my new TC. Looks like pulling the transfer case with the trans will be the way. I'm doing it on the ground in the driveway

 

Good choice for kit and TC.

When I remove them it's easier for me to pull the transfer off first.
I found it was too heavy and cumbersome to pull them together. That was my circumstances anyway.

 

Did I read somewhere that they will take GM turbo 400 parts like band's?

 

way beyond my pay grade, there quite a few upgraded parts in my kit, bands and levers and pistons, if these are borrowed from other applications...could be.

 

I got the t-case out yesterday and my "safety chain" didn't prevent the t-case from flopping to the ground. my safety guy would have been proud as I was out of the line of fire, only snapped the speedo adapter. Maybe epoxy, maybe I can source a new one.

 

Yes the transfer is a pain. It will slide a bit, then there is slake in the chain.
I use a small, cheapo ratchet strap and crank it down. Much more secure.
Same story for the tranny.

EB or carpart.com might have a used adapter.
Or Oliver.

 

So I'm going through the clutches 1 by 1 and replacing. My forward clutch had a gap of 180 thou before steels and fractions replaced. I had some thicker steels and got it to 165, but the book calls for 151 max. Any ideas to get me in spec that don't require a trip to the machinist?

 

What are the thickness of your friction and steels?
You can mix and match to get the right clearance.

 

So my steels are .068 and .085 and my frictions are all .061 soaked. My pressure plate is .279.
I ran it with .085s and got .165.
I tried running .070s and doing an extra set and only got .040 which is not enough.

My current plan of action is to run the .070s with 1x .085 on the bottom +an extra set and have my pressure plate milled down. My piston was pretty worn on top cant be certain, but 20thou is not out of the question, so I'm think that's what's causing my headache.

 

Can I just through a loose steel as a spacer? Or do they all need to be separated by a friction plate?

 

They make frictions that are ,084'', for the direct clutch.
But can be put in the forward as well.

 

I'm no expert, but yes you can.
I've it's best to do that in the center of the stack to help with heat

 

Thanks, struck out on the .085s from but found some .095s in stock and a couple of those will plumb me up. Guess it's a problem for next week when the brown truck comes. ha time to start into the tail section.