4L60E 13-Vane Rotor Failure (Pics)

[1BADC10]

Taking a break from Halo 3. This is what I found today.

Not really that bad. But, for those who have not seen a 13-vane rotor break, here ya go!








Fortunately, I have a spare pump that is a perfect match!











Still speculating on why it took a dump. Pressure could be one suspect, but there's too many possibilities to lean on one just yet.

[RedHeartbeat]

Dayum! When do you order the FLT? Just when I think you've broken almost everything there is to break in a 4L60e you pull this one out

[casey23]

Can u give some more info?... I never seen one brake because of pressure.. I have seen an Imput drum blown apart after a careless tune with out of control line pressure... did it brake it 2-3 days? or been installed and running for weeks/months and just quit?...

[1BADC10]

Red... haven't ordered an FLT. Honestly, I don't plan on it. However, Vince & Chuck have been sending me parts to help me learn how to make these stronger than before. I will say that Vince is a great mentor.

Casey... it didn't break b/c of pressure. I just threw a couple of ideas out. Odds are a previous fault overstressed it (small piece of metal maybe) or wear & tear. I have been beating the snot out of this trans since day one. With 4800 miles of punishment + an unknown amount of mileage on it when it was given to me, I expected every problem imaginable. The trans cost me nothing initially, and I'm still below the cost of a fully built one. My goal was to learn how to make it better, and I've learned more every time (plus a few more tricks of the trade).

I'm not upset about it breaking... surprisingly, my wife didn't say much either. Guess she's gotten used to a truck on jackstands. The only items left that haven't broken are the lower planetary (4-pinion), sunshell, and shafts. Everything else is new.

[1BADC10]

Good news recv'd today. Converter was fine. No trash found. I'd boast about the local shop, but they're not a sponsor here. The service is great considering the owner let me leave w/ the converter w/o paying (had no cash on me). Of course, it's not like he charged me more than a tank of gas to flush the converter.

Anyhow... I get back home, and decide to get to work. I went through the trans AGAIN, just to make sure there were no surprises that I missed. I pull apart & air clean both pumps I had. Then something catches my eye. The stator on the other pump was indeed shorter than the one I need. No biggie. I could swap the plate that holds the rotor, and I'd be good, right? Sure. But wait... something else catches my attention. The rotor guide looks like :turd:. When the pros recommend looking at everything, look over EVERYTHING!
Check this out...




The one on the left looks like it's burned to hell. That was from the pump with the "good" rotor. The other is from the one that :bomb:. Am I having fun yet... yup. I laugh at anything I see nowadays. That just gives me the excuse to turn my attention back to Halo 3. I have a replacement in route to me.

[RedHeartbeat]

Dammit, shouldn't have read your post. Now I've got a busted transmission and it's all your fault!

I think I shelled the forward sprag. I have reverse but no forward. Damn Caltracs.

[1BADC10]

if all you broke is the sprag, you should be able to start in 2nd.

sorry that murphy got to you, but it's time for him to leave my crib.

[Vince_B]

Ron just so you know I dropped the rotor guide in the mail today. You should see it some time this week. Good luck once again. Vince

[1BADC10]

Ron just so you know I dropped the rotor guide in the mail today. You should see it some time this week. Good luck once again. Vince

Thanks dude... meant to call you back yesterday. I found one locally too. I truly appreciate the help there. It'll sit on a shelf with a few more "spare" parts. I got everything back together, and then... wouldn't ya know it. Just when I think I'm about to send Murphy packing, that mofo finds another way to test my patience.

Me being happy-go-lucky, I decide to get to work on the trans. Everything's going great until I get everything bolted back in the truck. As I'm reconnecting the stock trans lines, I noticed a trace of fluid drippage midway down the metal portion that connects to the trans. Wiped it off, nothing else there... so, no biggie. I go to start the truck, and fill with fluid. After a gallon goes in, I'm looking at a thickening mist of white smoke.... WTF??? I look under the truck to find an ever growing puddle of my cheap red fluid hitting the concrete.

Turns out that little drip earlier was signs of a larger than a pinhole in the line. I'll be working on my JB Weld skills sometime next week. Any bets on that holding up? I'm just a poor, unlucky bastard!

[Vince_B]

JB weld on a cooler line??????? You scare the hell out of me.