Has anyone replaced or had the 4th gear clutch drive shaft done?

I'm almost 100% positive mine has finally failed rendering 4th gear useless. All other gears are still working.
I took the GP to a well known local trans shop, since I can no longer do that kind of heavy work. They are telling me that the entire trans has to be pulled and disassembled all the way down in order to replace the splined shaft.

I've never really gotten into the 4T65's. So are these guys jerking me around or do they speak the truth?

that is what the manual says but you can do it in the car by removing the side cover and gear cover/valve body. but seeing as it faild there are metal bits floating arounf so a full rebuild and new solinoids would not be a bad a idea

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

That's what I would normally do. Just do it right the first time and get it done.

Not trying to sound cheap, but right now, just trying to get it fixed. I have so many other bills right now, this trans problem is killing me.

No, they are telling the truth. It is likely possible to do a cheaper job, but being a mechanic myself, we hate doing a job half-way, and we will very often refuse to do the job if we can't do it right.

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Six-speed top-swapped GT, sold.
2006 F-150 4x4 for a daily driver.

I never did a job half assed while in the auto/industrial repair biz for 14yrs. I refuse to work like that.

But after getting hurt on the job, the company I worked for firing me, and not being able to find a job worth while. It's hard to swallow what the dealer or most trans shops want $$ wise for this trans at this time.

I'm just gonna have to get it done. I don't have money for another car and I need the GP to get my wife to work.

I would personally get a used low mileage trans from ed (~$400-500?) and bolt it right up

With big stuff like a tranny or an engine, I stay away from yard stuff. I've seen to much go wrong with them, even low mileage stuff. You're taking a 50/50 chance.

I'm gonna have my friend who owns a shop pull it and send it out to be rebuilt. He made a call to a trans shop he uses and asked the guy he uses for a favor. Full stock rebuild "over the counter" for $1395.

Just something else to add to the "suck it up" list.

It is cool that you know what is going on. To many people just don't have a clue.

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Six-speed top-swapped GT, sold.
2006 F-150 4x4 for a daily driver.

I try njbrain. Still, even with a "clue", I was taught that if one doesn't know....one should ask. Better safe then sorry.

I've never had a trans just fail on me like this. Usually, I'm the one that breaks them, lol.

I've heard too many horror stories about half assed "complete" overhauls......I guess if you trust the shop, and you get a warranty, then $1400 isn't too bad

It's only 4th gear....no need to really rush this getting done.

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My Mod List

this is true i drove my car for 3 mounths with a 3 speed 4T65-E

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

I know the shop that is gonna do the trans for me. The guy has a good reputation and builds good trannies. I would never take my car to someone I didn't know.

Still sucks that this is something I could have done myself had I not tore my knee up.

I hear ya on that guys. But the problem is that my wife drives just about 400 miles a week for work. It's all highway too. I don't want to take a chance on something else breaking internally and destroying other hard parts which would cost me more money.

^ the worst that could happen is youre not gonna get as good gas milage.

i know some guys that drive around in "3" all the time.

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'05 WRX STi - COBB Stage 2|Invidia DP|3" Borla XR-1|Coilovers|Camber Plates|Swaybars|Endlinks|Bushings|Braces|Anti Lift Kit|DBA4000s|SS lines|
Sold: 06 Cobalt SS/SC, 99 GTP 245WHP/326 Ft-lbs, 06 R6

You can drive in "3" around town with no problems. I usually do that just because the trans wants to be in over drive.

The problem is that knowing something is broken and you keep driving. That could cause more probs and cost more money.

Yeah, especially with metal shavings floating around in there.

You could do a base ZZP trans for under $2000, though...I'd look in to that.

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One Big Ass Mistake America

I did the 4th clutch hub in an 01 or 02 se 3100 a few years ago with the trans still in the car at my buds shop in kentucky it was no biggie but i had a lift and all the tools to

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Modded Like a Mother Fu**er and still gets 20+ mpg and runs 14's

I don't like dealing with companies so far away on such big items. I've read they build nice stuff though. I really don't need anything special. Just stock. I don't want to hear the wife complaining.

She does enough of that while in my Z28 or MonteSS, LMAO.

Common thought but, there have been metal shavings in the trans from this for years. It's not as bad as it sounds. If you look at a pic of it all that happens is the tips get ground into a point, VERY small metal particles that have been caught by the filter since it started.

http://www.tripleedgeperformance.com/4T ... n_Info.php

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My Mod List

Trans is done and I got the car back. Shifts just like it always has. The guy that built it did a nice job.

The 4th gear splines were gone, drum splines were damaged, and the 4th gear clutches were burnt.

Builder said it was ashame that the shaft went and caused the other damage. He stated all the other clutch packs looked good and the trans was very well taken care of. Bummer.

Hopefully this trans gives me as much trouble free operation as the original did.

See....this problem doesnt take out the rest of the tranny wth it.

Glad you got it taken care of though. No one likes not having OD.

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My Mod List

my diplomat came from the factory with ou O/D but with the 2.24 rear end it revs lower then my GP

P.S. 2.24 rear gears suck

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

Congrats on the repair and good luck with the rebuilt. I drove mine occassionally without 4th before I had it rebuilt. I was getting around 16 mpg combined city / hwy, so very happy to be back to mid 20s or better when all hwy. The previous owner sold it to me with the bad trans - disclosed and at an appropriate price. Previous owner didn't realize there was no 4th but had experienced poor gas mileage for a couple months before a late shift threw a code and discovered the transmission required rebuild.

We are on the same page. I am glad that you got it fixed.

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Six-speed top-swapped GT, sold.
2006 F-150 4x4 for a daily driver.