3T40 Automatic Transaxle Rebuild Video Series

[Matt Brandsema]

So I just finished my video series on the rebuild of a transmission I did. The transmission came out of a 1998 Chevy Cavalier. All the videos are in a “time lapse” format. After doing this, I have a few things to say.

1: This job cost me in the neighborhood of 700 bucks. For all the new parts (New forward clutch, direct clutch, drive chain, a few washers and spacers and steels and clutches), A rebuild kit, a bushing kit, tools, and the fluid. If you know what you are doing, rebuilding your transmission can be a completely viable way to save money as opposed to replacing. (You just need a bunch of time on your hands!)

2: If you are going to rebuild a transmission…
-It is ESSENTIAL to have the factory service manual at hand.
-Any special tools you need, DO NOT BUY FROM THE MANUFACTURER! All the special tools I needed came from ebay and were PENNIES compared to the price from the manufacturer. (I am talking, 12 bucks as opposed to 250)
-When you put everything back together the environment of the parts must be CLEAN! If even one hair gets inside the valve body (Or dirt) it can cause the valves to stick.
-Measure all clearances and compare them to spec!
-Do not think you need to buy ALL the special tools called for in the service manual. I only had to buy three special tools. Everything else I “improvised” with common tools and made it work. Not a big deal.
-Be EXTREMELY meticulous about every detail. These machines are extremely complex. If one washer/seal/wavy plate/anything is in upside down, it will cause the transmission to not work properly.
-Torque everything to spec! Uneven torque over the valve body or other fluid passages can cause problems.
-Air check the hydraulic circuits! If I didn’t do this, I would have had no reverse gear when I put everything back together. It made me realize that I needed to re-seat the low/reverse seal.

With all that being said, here is the video series on the 3T40 automatic transmission rebuild!

Part 1: Removal from Vehicle

Part 2: Disassembly and Inspection

Part 3: Valvebody Service and Seals / Gaskets Replacement

Part 4: Bushing Replacement and Painting

Part 5: Re-assembly

Part 6: Re-installation into Vehicle

Part 7: Test Drive!

The test drive was my favorite part!

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[Bill]

I think you did a great job with the vids and an even better job with the transmission…

Congrats to you.

I love music but I finally had to turn down the sound. It was driving me crazy and was distracting my attention away from the vids as I was following along.

[Kevin Criswell]

Nice video Xyius. Makes me wish I had done a video for the C59 Toyota manual trans rebuild I just finished.

Well, maybe next time.

[Matt Brandsema]

Thanks you guys! I had a lot of fun making them, and even more fun doing the rebuild. 😀

[Author]

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