Took my truck to the shop today to have transmission fluid changed. Truck has 148K and is running great. Tech (Tech is very credible) found metal fragments in tranny pan and what appears to be approximately a 8" snap ring laying in the pan.

Like I mentioned this truck runs and shifts great. For now the tech is going to change the oil and I'm going to roll the dice and continue to drive this truck.

If the truck is shifting okay, should I have the tranny replaced or just keep my fingers crossed for the next xx?? miles.

I'm looking for recommendations.

 

Ask the tech for "your" snap ring so you can take photos and ask on "a forum". How willing is he to give it to you?

If a snap-ring that large just "fell out" of somewhere, wouldn't the stuff it was retaining also fall out?

Though Mark Kovalsky can certainly identify this ring if it's part of a 4R100 (he draws diagrams for these things in his sleep), and give you a MUCH better explanation than my mere speculation, I'd say either this was somehow thrown in the pan by the last person servicing your trans, or it was left in there from the factory.

Are you already scared enough? I suspect that's what this ring was designed to do.

Some amount of metal fragments are normal (that's what the ring magnet around the drain plug is designed to catch), and most tranny shops WANT you to see them and worry.

Mark, are you out there?

Pop

 

If it was my transmission, I'd want to know exactly where that snap ring came from. The metal fragments too, for that matter. It's not like your tranny has extra parts that it really doesn't need, like a snap ring that holds parts in place. At the very least, have a qualified transmission mechanic inspect it.

BTW, welcome to FTE.

 

i think springerpop is onto something. snap rings don't just fall off and if they do its because whatever they are holding has put so much pressure on them they can't hold anymore. if that is the case then there would be more than just a snap ring and you would think something would be messing with the drivability of your truck. sounds fishy.

 

Snap rings DO just fall off on early 4R100s. Usually it's the coast clutch snap ring. The groove for the snap ring wasn't deep enough and sometimes the ring falls out. I've known transmissions that ran for years without a functioning coast clutch because the snap ring came out. It doesn't seem to hurt anything, but you won't have engine braking in any gear except fourth.

If you are at 40+ MPH and turn off overdrive does the engine go to idle speed or does it have engine braking?

 

Guys, My mechanic I have the utmost trust in, so there isn't anything fishy gone on here. I did stop and look at the ring, it is in several pieces. you can tell that the ring was about 8" in diameter, 1/8" wide and about thirty thousands thick (these are my best guess estimates). The Tech took the vehicle for a drive and it shifted smooth and nothing abnormal. The owner was going to check with his transmission guy and get his input, but he has never seen this before with the truck shifting so well.

I didn't mention that I pull a 14' enclosed trailer and I'm planning on leaving for Florida in a couple of weeks.

I will be getting the truck back late this afternoon, but as I recall the engine doesn't brake when going down a hill. I will verify this after picking up the truck this afternoon, but I think Mark is onto something...I'm starting to feel a little better already!

Thanks...

 

Thanks, Mark!

I knew if ANYBODY would know, it would be you!

Live and learn...

Pop

 

Tried what Mark had recommended and found that the engine braking function of the transmission isn't working. I would have never guessed there are parts in the transmission that could be lost and have the transmission still work.

Thanks to everyone for such a quick response that resulted in greatly reducing my anxiety level on my super duty!

 

I think my torque converter went out. The truck would barely move and it has a vibration. Now when I go to put it gear it stalls out the engine. The fluid looks good and doesn't smell so I'm thinking it's the torque converter. How can it be checked other than pulling the trans?

 

Pull the engine. Those are your choices. Or you could have a pro give his diagnosis.