My first post to the forum...hope it is in the right area.
I let a friend borrow my car for a while and they called me stating the trans suddenly stopped shifting. I get the car back and it will not go into any gear but 1st as far as I can tell. When it does shift into 2nd it just spins. So right now, I have the trans completely disassembled, but am not sure what to look for as I can see no obvious issues except a small piece broke off a bearing which does not appear to possible cause this issue. I would like to know what the problem was rather than just buy a rebuild kit and it start working again. How to tell that clutches are worn? anything else to look for?

by the way, I know that this person drove hard and fast because they told me! It is a transmission I put in from a 92 olds. the original was a 440-T4, the current one I am working on is a 4T60 from the olds. It has approximately 60k on it right now. The car is my 1988 bonneville sse. Thanks for any help at all!!

Umm, how did you get a 4T60-E to work in a platform without E-trans?

Anyhoo, any chance on some pictures of the broken piece? And of the clutches? General rule is, if you see metal where there is suppose to be clutch material, its time for new clutch packs.

it is not a 4t60e. just a 4t60. i could be wrong about the year of the car it came from. it was about two years ago and it came from a used parts yard. I just bolted the new one in. no mods at all to make it work.

I just read the rest of your reply (duh) only read the first line before. I can probably get a pic of the broken pieces and clutches on here, but I'm not sure what you mean when you say if I see metal where there is supposed to be clutch material.
Also, please note that the trans will not go into any gear at all after 1st. It will not go past 25 mph. And the other dumb thing I did was to not even change the filter and fluid before I pulled it out and tore it apart!! I guess I just wanted to try a rebuild!!! I should have atleast tried a filter and fluid change first, because like I said, I don't think I am finding anything wrong with the internals. But I am no pro at all on trannys. thanks again bro.

added my signature too!!

Yea, probably should have replaced the filter at least. Back a few years ago with my 95 Bonneville, I broke a diff pin and metal shavings clogged the filter and the car wouldn't move.

I think I'm just gonna go ahead and get the rebuild kit and put it back together with a new filter and fluid. I post the results! Thanks for your time Mike.

Your welcome. Post up picks if you can.

Well, the rebuild went well and I think I found the problem...won't know for sure but I believe it was a broken servo piston ring. the 1-2 servo piston ring had a clean snap in it. after reassembly and the install, she is purring like before...i will post a pic of the ring...that is the only one i remembered to take.

I am not sure on how to post a pic??? I remember a thread I saw that explained using photobucket and some other methods but i can't seem to find that thread anymore!!

At the bottom of this screen, you will see the option to "Post Quick Reply" or "Go Advanced". Click on Go advanced.

Then further down after that, you will see the option to "Manage Attachments". Pretty easy after that.