yet another 700r4 question....OR....The De-evolution of a 'burban....

[evolve991]

OK I should know this but is there a tab or lock that keeps the filter tight up in the pump and off the pan surface? City driving has shuddered the filter loose twice now. If there was a tab it's not there now

 

[paratrooper307]

I've seen some that do, but many transmissions the filter is friction fit into the transmission with a thick rubber gasket on the intake tube of the filter. You may need to replace this gasket if it won't stay up in there. Usually it's a snug enough fit you have to tug on it to get it out and give it a good push to seat it.

 

[evolve991]

Thanks Para. I've had alot of dealings with these things but always something new. Doesnt help being flat broke. Thinking about a spacer between filter and pan.

 

[Blue85]

Make sure you don't have an extra seal up there. Sometimes the old one gets left behind and having two won't let the filter seat right. Very unlikely that the hole in the pump is worn. Possible that you have the wrong seal, though.

I wouldn't put a spacer in there, but a leaf spring of some kind might work. Still, there should be a way to make the stock design work. Many millions of miles on it...

 

[evolve991]

Blue the filter has been in there a year now. My shocks and body mounts are shot and the roads I've been traveling are hell, I'm pretty sure the vibrations are causing it. I did have 2 seals once before so made sure I dont this time. After all I've been thru with these trannies I'm still coming up with the damned oddball problems.

 

[evolve991]

Don't have anything to fab a leaf spring but plenty of copper wire. Gonna mechanic wire across the bottom until I get a quality filter sometime soon.

 

[Justin V]

I wouldn't think that a stock depth pan would allow the filter to come all the way out. I was discussing pans with a transmission guy who said that I would have to tie the filter up if I got a deeper pan. He said the deep version of the 4L60E pan bolts on, and of courselooks factory, and he has had a couple vehicles show up to his shop with this pan and a filter laying in the bottom. I know from personal experience that the 4L60E uses different filters depending on which depth pan was used from the factory, might be worth posting a measurement of pan depth and also seeing if the "deep" 4L60E filter might work. It has been too long since I have looked at them to know if it is even possible to run the other filter, but maybe...

 

[evolve991]

Well I've been stupid and playing it cheap. I re-used the old filter because Yes I'm That Broke. It was good a for a few miles then same deal. No gear. I got home yesterday and today by rapping on the pan and that brought back all gears until a full stop again. I borrowed money from father in law and bought a new filter just now,waiting for it to cool. I'm hoping that beating on it shook loose a clogged filter and the new one works.

 

[evolve991]

Well after the new filter and fluid change the beast ran good and hard,if a little erratic, for 2 days and about 300 miles then one good loud !!!BANG!!! leaving a red light in heavy morning Baltimore traffic rendered all these questions and issues irrelevant.
Had to Reverse it across a few lanes and a busy on ramp,over a curb and into the grassy possible final resting place for my poor abused beast.
NOW: A buddy gave me a garbled,crappy signaled phone call which I believe involves a 2wd pickup in the same year range as my Suburban.
I am SO tempted to swap out the 4wd 700r4/NP241C with the 2wd 700r4,converter,drive shaft,cross member,etc and forget 4 wheel capabilities simply because I have little financial choice at the moment and haven't had 4WD for 5 years now ANYhow
I've searched for a thread or article on this already and surprise,surprise few people are interested in the backwards mods of losing 4wd. I'd be greatly appreciative of any insights or info on this brand new dumb idea of mine. I just can't stomach the thought of getting rid of the old girl after all I've been thru with her

 

[Blue85]

You might have broken the forward sprag, which would let you still drive in manual low (I think). Did you try shifting to "1"? Could be enough to get it somewhere. Is this an 87+ tranny with the aux valve body?

Also, what pan is on this tranny?

It would be better to find a used tranny than do a 2WD conversion. Any interest in tearing it down yourself to find out what's wrong? It might just need 1 clutch or a sprag and you're back on the road, but it will be a lot of hours either way.

 

[evolve991]

Blue I no longer have anyplace to tear it down. I've been inside a few of these now,changed pumps etc. but that was when I had a place to work on it. 1st gear...I can't drop all the way to 1st because the body mounts are so gone the body is flat on the frame. Y'know I was thinking if I had Reverse I should have at least 1st....forgot about the gear selector limit in all the excitement. The 2wd swap is off the table now anyway,one of those "sure it'll work" deals with one of those buddies LOL. Standard pan,89 700r4 that was rebuilt about 4 years ago. It was strong before the filter fiasco. I revved it pretty high getting it off the road when that happened. Then drove it 50 miles down the road and back twice on wishful thinking. I found some ugly metal pieces and lied to myself about it lol. Being flat broke compounds the problems a few times over.

PS Now that I know it should have 1st I could adjust the lever or even do it underneath. But 50 miles up the highway is a long way for Low