I just bought a new extra capacity transmission pan and was told I should do a transmission service when I put the new pan on. My truck has about 130,000 miles and I have only owned it for the last 40K or so. I am not doing my own work, just paying for it

I contacted a mechanic to do the transmission service and he said there is no need to adjust the bands on a 2001 truck. He said they are automatically adjusted. I have to say, I don't even know what they are so I really don't know. Secondly, the mechanic recommended a transmission fluid flush for $120 additional money after the drain and re-fill for $100. Is this advisable? Neccessary? Does this guy know what he is doing? I am scheduled to take the truck in on Monday Morning. Any thoughts?

 

It won't hurt anything, but I'd say do the flush first then drop the pan and check the bands, put a new filter on and refill.
You can check the bands by pulling the levers down-at the servo's - and looking for 1/4 inch clearance.
If they are way out most likely it is near time for a rebuild.

 

I personaly would not opt for the flush, and would have the bands adjusted.

Are you having problems with late or mushy shifts?
If so, have the bands adjusted while the pan is off.
If not you could just have the fluid & filter changed and leave it at that.
Your call.

You can find & print out instructions and specs for him here.
Auto Trans Band Adjustment procedures

 

thanks for the specs and the info. I'll not worry about flushing, but will definitley get him to re-think the bands. It looks pretty straight forward. My mechanic is smart, I just think he doesn't want to tell me he's kinda new to the Cummins Diesel.

 

IMHO you really need to find a mechanic who knows these transmissions. You should be on your 3 rd or 4 th band adjustment. Look in the tech fact section and you will find how to adjust the bands. I just finished doing mine and it's really pretty straight forward. As mentioned your shifts will be better and less mushy. It takes me about 3 hours to do my tranny complete and that included installing a new governor solonoid valve ( which you might want to consider for an extra 100.00 Also look in your owners manual for the sugested interval. Anyhow good luck and make sure do get it all done as long as you are dropping the pan anyhow.

 

thanks y'all. I did have the pan replaced, the guy used the info you sent me on how to adjust the bands and must have done a bang up job because the shifting has never been so smooth. I'm very happy with the work, and the new double deep Mag-Hytec pan is so pretty I may have to flip my truck upside down every now and then so everyone can see it.

 

Schweeeeeet!
Glad we could help.