My tranny just wore through a second gear band....it has a tendency to start in 2nd gear and when towing at the max....second gear gets bad fast...I used Kolene steels with Raybestos Super Blue frictions and they are ok...but I'll probably replace them since its gonna be opened up...is there a source for bands stronger than the green high energy bands I used last time? Let me know quick as the tranny is being torn down now. Kerry

 

You might try reducing travel of control load servo. I generally shim it out until very little movement is present. Changing lever ratio from 3.8 to 4.2 might help also. It is not correct for unit to take off in 2nd gear. If tranny already modified you may out of options.

 

PM Timinva. He builds trannies all the time.....

 

You better just deal with the 2nd gear starts or you are going to repeat the teardown!!
My guess is either the gov. pressure sensor and transducers are bad or the VB has had the pressure raised above stock.

 

When I tow heavy I pull the lever to 1st to get rolling and shift to 2nd @ 10 or 15 mph. It's an auto, it's not "smart".

 

Basically All the frictions had issues....The 2nd gear band was worn out....the apply lever was also broken...it was a 5.0 I think apply lever....the direct clutches had the inside teeth all ground down. The reverse band was cracked and pieces were loose. Basically the tranny was overdue for an overhaul...I didn't check the mileage yet but it would be less than 50k miles I think...Twin Turbos and 90psi of boost....with lots of boosted launches, Towing over 30k combined offroad and on steep hills. Backing up hills even in 4 Lo...is hard on these trannies.

I found some triple laminated bands from Mopar Performance....suggested for high horsepower 426 Hemi race applications....We'll see how they stand up...I think with the proper apply pressure and a new solid apply lever...all will be good. The 2nd gear frictions were fine....but who knows when the lever broke...Basically the truck had first, third and OD but all the directs were shot so I can't wait to have it back....no more towing with Beta 4.4 I guess Kerry

 

Well the tranny is rebuilt with all new frictions and steels...same as last time....but the tranny guy just set the TC on the drain tank upside down....goes to refill to reinstall and a big chunk is out of the TC Female shaft...its fubared....Now I have to take a pix and see if its covered under warranty....It has never had a shaft break in it but the input shaft is billet...Not happy at the prospect of a broken TC...If they don't cover it I may shift alliances...I hate to reward those that don't stand up for their products. KS

 

I have an alto band in mine, transmission center. net or something like that has a few kevlar bands and the altos. I have been in my trans a few times and never had to replace the band though. I had used the blue plate specials but had to go back to the high energy frictions till i found out my trans problems. They cost alot to replace!

 

HTS sells a really nice heavy band.

 

If you had that much damage you better see what is/was the cause! Second gear starts means the trans is in limp mode more than likely due to high line pressures. Not to mention some of the parts that you said were damaged that should not be! Call Tim as mentioned before or pm me.


Richard

 

The damage to the tranny was probably from too many boosted launches followed by 90psi drag runs...towing 38k with way too much power and towing heavy with Smarty 4.4....This truck has been a test mule for what a truck can do...and if it means a fresh set of frictions every year then...that is what it will be....an overhaul every 35k miles of abuse is worse than the 60k I was hoping for but hopefully it will get better...and yes the line pressures are a little high but he truck isn't going to limp unless its the PCM....These 03's are hard to read tranny problems....you just get a general transmission controller error P0700...doesn't tell you much.....Kerry