01 sliverado k1500 trans explosion

[jocko]

Anyone blow the rear planetary out of their 4L60E lately (or ever)?
Occurred in benign environment - just straight and level on highway. Started with a squeal, ended with a crunch. I have done some vehicle towing, but not much. Let go when not under stress.
Curious if this is a remotely common ailment.
Once is enough for me, but what a bad day... Most awful screeching sound I've ever heard. Metal critters fell outta the pan when opened.

thoughts?

jocko

[clinebarger]

I have, But I was abusing it. Its not common on a stock truck unless there is no lube getting to the planets, Or somthing locked up in the drivetrain at high speeds (transfer case, rear diff)?

This is the worst kind of failure on a 4L60E its the equivalent to slinging a connecting rod out of a engine....I whould find a good rebuildable core & have it rebuild.

[Josh]

I've seen a few but not really common. One of them the tooth on one of the planets broke off and wedged itself in the ring gear and snapped it. I blew the trans in Liz's 03 Yukon tonight, haven't dropped the pan or torn her down yet but pretty sure the sprag and forward clutch is done for... I never truly abused it, was driven hard a bit and towed a camper far too much before we got the dually. Time for a junkyard unit or a reman if ya popped the planetary as it usually cracks the case or sends enough metal through everything to really mess things up.

[jocko]

thanks gents. trans shop was convinced it was the transfer case until they dropped the trans pan and pounds of metal fell out. It grenaded in the rear planetary and took many casualties along the way.

Getting rebuilt (have to, it's my driver) - but gonna get several strength upgrades like 5 roller sun gear, shift kit (they claim that's not in conflict with tow/haul mode) and a few other steel vice cast parts. Hopefully won't happen again.

Thanks again for your comments.

[Fursphere]

Again, not really common but it does happen. If it was common, you'd hear about it a lot more.

It happened to the TH400s also - they would just die sometimes. T

[Manbearpig]

Get them to throw in a 5 pinion planetary and the beast sungear shell for added strength and peace of mind!

http://www.oregonperformancetransmis...ory_Code=4L60E

http://www.oregonperformancetransmis...ory_Code=4L60E

[jocko]

And that's EXACTLY what I did already - threw in a vette servo, some wider bands, shift kit, etc. I have to admit, the shift kit feels like a pro-stocker in the 1-2 upshift compared to TH350 and TH400 shift kits I've had in previous vehicles, but I don't mind. The fact that I'm not too excited about it might mean I'm getting old....

Thanks for the great advice - I inadvertently already followed it!
jocko

[Manbearpig]

haha nice

[palposity]

My father blew his 4L60E just doing some occasional light towing of a small U Haul enclosed trailer. Truck only had 100K on it at the time. After we put the new tranny in we made sure to install a cooler and had no more problem with it after that.

Sorry to hear about the trouble you had.