Are the 4t60's durable?
11-18-2005, 01:14 AM
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Are the 4t60'* durable?
How well do they hold up? This one'* got 258,000 original kms on it, or so I am guessing. I want to at least have it last till 300,000 kms, or till next summer, lol.
It shifts into gear fine, shifts very nicly in motion, and works extremely well for fuel mileage.
I know the TCC problem was limited to the 3 speeds, so I should not run into that. But are there known problems to these trannys?
I've had to replace the engine, and pretty well darn near everything else on this car. Fuel tank, tires, brakes, you name it, except the transmission.
Just concerned, thats all. Anything I should do to it to prolong the life?
It shifts into gear fine, shifts very nicly in motion, and works extremely well for fuel mileage.
I know the TCC problem was limited to the 3 speeds, so I should not run into that. But are there known problems to these trannys?
I've had to replace the engine, and pretty well darn near everything else on this car. Fuel tank, tires, brakes, you name it, except the transmission.
Just concerned, thats all. Anything I should do to it to prolong the life?
11-18-2005, 01:25 AM
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I am fairly sure that the 88+ trannies were a little less flaky than the 86/87s. I had a '87 3800 olds that went to 220k mi on the orginal trans.
11-18-2005, 09:09 AM
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They are considered durable yes. Actual mileage depends on driving style etc. If you beat on it daily expect failure.
Not sure..but 300,000 kms would be around 225,000 miles right?
Not sure..but 300,000 kms would be around 225,000 miles right?
11-18-2005, 11:30 AM
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300,000km is 186k miles 
I'm doing 330,000km on what is at *minimum* the second tranny on my car, the previous owner did have it replaced/rebuilt at one point, and it'* lasted us from when we got the car in 2001 at 275,000km. Recently replaced the tranny fluid with some Wal-Mart brand 100% synthetic after some drivability issues (burnt/black fluid). No guarantees it'll last tooooo long, but it'* vastly improved from beforehand. I really thought the tranny was toast, looks like it'* not... yet. *knock on wood*
I'm doing 330,000km on what is at *minimum* the second tranny on my car, the previous owner did have it replaced/rebuilt at one point, and it'* lasted us from when we got the car in 2001 at 275,000km. Recently replaced the tranny fluid with some Wal-Mart brand 100% synthetic after some drivability issues (burnt/black fluid). No guarantees it'll last tooooo long, but it'* vastly improved from beforehand. I really thought the tranny was toast, looks like it'* not... yet. *knock on wood*
11-18-2005, 11:59 AM
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Regularly check the fluid level and color, and don't beat on it, and you should be able to get it to last that long. Some of these trannys are tanks and some are bombs. If yours is still running fine now, my guess is if you follow the above, you'll have yourself a tank.
my 93 SSE made it to 145,000 miles with no issues.
my 93 SSE made it to 145,000 miles with no issues.
11-18-2005, 12:52 PM
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I've been told my transmission failed once around 200k. It was either replaced or rebuilt, but it'* still doing just fine. I think on of the largest factors in the death of these transmissions is heat...preventing any heat damage would probably help it live quite a bit longer.
11-18-2005, 12:57 PM
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I added a factory cooler to my 97 because there wasn't one stock. Many like Cap'n said, believe the heat is what kills our transmissions.
11-18-2005, 02:34 PM
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Heat is the Main killer of a Trans.... They go bad left and right here in florida... But its a warmer climate too... Up as far north as some of you guys are the trans may last a long time as long as it doesn't get too hot and its had some fluid changes...
Yes, the 4T60( 440T4 ) was improved for the 88-89 years and again for the 90-91 years... I saw too many 87'* die an early death... But I have seen the 88-91'* kill them off too... The 3.33 ratio trans in the bonneville always seemed to fail before the 2.84 and the 2.97 ratio transmissions... Most didn't hold together... By the time you got to 90-91 GM Hydramatic division had improved the 4T60 a decent bit... Sounds like it has had a good long life...
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Yes, the 4T60( 440T4 ) was improved for the 88-89 years and again for the 90-91 years... I saw too many 87'* die an early death... But I have seen the 88-91'* kill them off too... The 3.33 ratio trans in the bonneville always seemed to fail before the 2.84 and the 2.97 ratio transmissions... Most didn't hold together... By the time you got to 90-91 GM Hydramatic division had improved the 4T60 a decent bit... Sounds like it has had a good long life...
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11-18-2005, 03:43 PM
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Not to get off topic. But Don..would you say a highway car trans would probably have a longer lifespan than a city car on the premise of the clutchpacks not being used as much over the mileage?
11-18-2005, 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by BillBoost37
Not to get off topic. But Don..would you say a highway car trans would probably have a longer lifespan than a city car on the premise of the clutchpacks not being used as much over the mileage?