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I could be just acting paranoid after my brother dropped $3,000 into his transmission on his 2002 blazer at 106k but, I feel I may have something going on with my tranny now. I have a 1997 Chevy blazer 4.3 with famous 4L60E transmission. I am not positive but I feel the previous owner had it rebuilt at some point in time. It shifts way to well and solid and the fluid was clean when I bought it 4 years ago with 122k. Now my blazer has 148k and I changed the fluid, filter and gasket on the tranny about 2 years ago and replaced both solenoids because I broke them when dropping the pan. I also flushed out the torque converter too.
Now after I have been running my blazer for a while and it heats up, reverse feels a little weak on a steep hill and in get a light metal clicking sound on acceleration in reverse on steep inclines. I also notice this metal clicking sound when pulling out in drive on an incline or when pulling out fast in drive too. I recently replaced both bad motor mound and tranny mount thinking that way it but, the noise is still there. It doesn’t sound horrible. It’s like metal is being torqued and its clicking/creaking. It does have 4 wheel drive but it does it in 2 wheel drive too. I was something drive shaft related but the universals seem ok. I also replaced the front cv axels and inner seals too. The tranny fluid looks pink still and smells fine with no bubbles. There is some black friction material on the rag when I wipe it but nothin serious. All the other gears feels and sound strong when driving.
Has anyone else experienced this? Think it’s ok and just getting old? I know these trannys are know for the sun shell gear to go that makes reverse go and second and over drive to be weak or fail too. I know from experience how bad the transmission sounds even at idle when that happens and I’m not getting anyone of that. Maybe it’s at the beginning stages?
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Since you replaced the solenoids, I have to ask if you made sure that you put the bolts back in the right place and order. Some are longer than others. If the longer one is placed in the wrong spot it can contact the shell and cause the click (which would happen only in reverse and 1st) as the end of the bolt shaft hits the the metal between the spaces. Here is a pic of the damage this causes. Note the scoring around the middle caused by the longer bolt protruding through.
Hello and thanks so much for your reply! The shift Solenoids in this transmission are accessible right inside the bottom pan where the filter is located. There are two of them that clip in with a small metal “U” shaped spring clip. You do not have to remove the valve body to replace them. I only damaged one. I broke the wire connector because I didn’t loosen the transmission mount bolts and raid the transmission slightly to give extra room to slide the pan out from between the cross-member / brace. I only replaced both because I was already in there and figured it couldn’t hurt. The only bolts removed to do this job was the pan bolts are are all the same size and wouldn’t have effected the sun-gear way up inside the transmission. The more I listen to the noise it sounds like it maybe coming from the rear. I was also thinking the rear sway bar links since the bushings are so dry rotted and shot. I already ordered a set on rockauto.
I also want to mention I can also hear this metal clicking/creaking sound as I slow down to a stop. Right about the point the transmission would downshift into first or second to stop.
HAVE YOU CHECKED THE HUB AND BEARINGS ON THE FRONT. I HAVE HAD ALOT OF THESE MAKE A NOISE LIKE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BUT OF CORSE IT WOULD DO IT WIN YOU WERE ROLLING AND SOME DO THE SAME WIN YOU TURN THE WHEELS. MIGHT WANT TO CHECK IT OUT IF YOU ARE NOT SURE IT IS COMING OUT THE TRANS.
The sound seams to be coming from the rear more so or rear-center area. It is ironic that you mentioned the hub because about a month ago I replaced the front driver wheel hub. I will check the mounting bolts on it again. thanks
[quote=”Blazerguy1983″ post=137810]Hello and thanks so much for your reply! The shift Solenoids in this transmission are accessible right inside the bottom pan where the filter is located. There are two of them that clip in with a small metal “U” shaped spring clip. [/quote]
No problem. There are actually four solenoids in there under the pan, and none require removing the valve body, but two of the four do bolt in. The solenoid bolts that caused the damage in the pic I posted were from the TCC solenoid, IIRC. My reply was based on an experience that I was familiar with, and the symptoms sounded quite similar. I am glad that it isn’t the same in your situation and hope you find your solution.You might want to see if you can pin down where the noise is coming from. As some have pointed out, it may not be related to the transmission. As for the transmission, I suppose the only way to really know if there’s an issue with reverse is to check the pressure to that circuit. I realize that may be a bit beyond your capabilities and tools. You might consider having a transmission shop check it out. More info on transmission problems here.
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-transmission-problems
Please keep us updated on anything you find.
Hey everyone! I fixed my issue. It was the rear universal joint. The good news I have replaced a bunch of other stuff too including the leaf spring pads & leaf spring bushings to finally get my diagnosis. I made a video to show you all what I did. Thanks again everyone for your great information and help!
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