Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: sassanach on 22 May 2007, 22:44:33

Title: autobox
Post by: sassanach on 22 May 2007, 22:44:33
have any of you gents rebuilt your own auto trannys
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 22 May 2007, 23:07:53
There would rarely be a need. The autobox on the Meega is generally a solid unit, if fluid well maintained.

If one fails, in terms of time and cost, it would be more economical to just replace with a known good.
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: sassanach on 22 May 2007, 23:22:27
you mention cost but if you check out ebay usa you can get rebuild kits for the 4L30E for $190 or £100, and with a few hours of fun you can refurbish your own tranny(in theory) anyone got a knackered one?
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 22 May 2007, 23:39:44
Quote
you mention cost but if you check out ebay usa you can get rebuild kits for the 4L30E for $190 or £100, and with a few hours of fun you can refurbish your own tranny(in theory) anyone got a knackered one?

I have an AR35 at home, with a chewed up thrust washer and a possible electrical problem ::)
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: Kevin Wood on 23 May 2007, 11:47:37
It would be interesting to know what's involved. DIYers are normally scared away from rebuilding transmissions, both auto and manual, due to perceived complexity and special tools required, etc. but I've always wondered what the reality is.

There won't be a supply of reasonable second hand AR35s available for ever and I wouldn't mind betting the main failure issues are wear in the brake bands and that pesky plastic thrust washer, along with electrical problems in the solenoids. I wouldn't be surprised if you don't have to strip one down too far to renew all of the above.

Anyone got a workshop manual for the auto boxes?

Kevin
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 23 May 2007, 12:06:41
I fancy doing this if somebody wishes to donate a broken AR35 box....you can get the re-build kits in the UK to....

You cna also get an upgraded thrust washer for this gearbox to overcome the more common failure from the USA
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: Markjay on 23 May 2007, 12:33:04
Car Mechanics Magazine commented that Haynes are no longer including transmission rebuild section in their new manuals because very few people actually do this nowadays...



Title: Re: autobox
Post by: Kevin Wood on 23 May 2007, 13:18:05
It would be good to strip a few failed boxes down, actually, if only to identify what the common failure modes are. Anyone fancy bringing a few to the Lakes?  ::)

As to the Haynes manual, they are gradually removing anything of use to the serious mechanic, IMO. They're becoming useful only for routine servicing, and even in that respect their cam belt change procedure for the GM V6 has some dangerous omissions. As you say, it's been a long time since they included anything on transmissions and the engine overhaul chapter is now pretty much generic, with a small preceding chapter on the engine concerned. Mine is used for wiring diagrams and torque settings, nothing else.

Kevin


Title: Re: autobox
Post by: osealy on 23 May 2007, 18:28:58
Haynes was generally inaccurate 25 years ago when I Drove Fiat 124 coupe.


Opel paid for a rebuilt tranny on my 94 td est at 60k I think it cost them 1.800 euro .The lock up wasn't working.
You need a special machine to cut open the torque converter & then weld it up again.
It failed again at 160k , water got in thru damaged breather. Lost reverse , linings fell off clutch.
Rebuild guy said box was only good for 70k.
Ar25 in TD
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: TheBoy on 23 May 2007, 18:37:11
Quote
Haynes was generally inaccurate 25 years ago when I Drove Fiat 124 coupe.


Opel paid for a rebuilt tranny on my 94 td est at 60k I think it cost them 1.800 euro .The lock up wasn't working.
You need a special machine to cut open the torque converter & then weld it up again.
It failed again at 160k , water got in thru damaged breather. Lost reverse , linings fell off clutch.
Rebuild guy said box was only good for 70k.
Ar25 in TD
2.5TD will eventually rip the AR25 to bits - the box cannot handle the torque.  Owning a 2.5TD with a AR25 is a bit like owning a K series Rover - you know it will fail, just a case of when....
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 23 May 2007, 18:38:31
Quote
Quote
Haynes was generally inaccurate 25 years ago when I Drove Fiat 124 coupe.


Opel paid for a rebuilt tranny on my 94 td est at 60k I think it cost them 1.800 euro .The lock up wasn't working.
You need a special machine to cut open the torque converter & then weld it up again.
It failed again at 160k , water got in thru damaged breather. Lost reverse , linings fell off clutch.
Rebuild guy said box was only good for 70k.
Ar25 in TD
2.5TD will eventually rip the AR25 to bits - the box cannot handle the torque.  Owning a 2.5TD with a AR25 is a bit like owning a K series Rover - you know it will fail, just a case of when....

What about a VERY well running 3.0V6, with a slightly suspect AR25?? ::)

It's been 1700 miles so far, I put a litre of oil in the autobox yesterday ::) ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: TheBoy on 23 May 2007, 18:47:09
Quote
Quote
Quote
Haynes was generally inaccurate 25 years ago when I Drove Fiat 124 coupe.


Opel paid for a rebuilt tranny on my 94 td est at 60k I think it cost them 1.800 euro .The lock up wasn't working.
You need a special machine to cut open the torque converter & then weld it up again.
It failed again at 160k , water got in thru damaged breather. Lost reverse , linings fell off clutch.
Rebuild guy said box was only good for 70k.
Ar25 in TD
2.5TD will eventually rip the AR25 to bits - the box cannot handle the torque.  Owning a 2.5TD with a AR25 is a bit like owning a K series Rover - you know it will fail, just a case of when....

What about a VERY well running 3.0V6, with a slightly suspect AR25?? ::)

It's been 1700 miles so far, I put a litre of oil in the autobox yesterday ::) ;D ;D ;D
As you know, it will rip it to shreds fairly quickly...
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 23 May 2007, 18:51:03
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Haynes was generally inaccurate 25 years ago when I Drove Fiat 124 coupe.


Opel paid for a rebuilt tranny on my 94 td est at 60k I think it cost them 1.800 euro .The lock up wasn't working.
You need a special machine to cut open the torque converter & then weld it up again.
It failed again at 160k , water got in thru damaged breather. Lost reverse , linings fell off clutch.
Rebuild guy said box was only good for 70k.
Ar25 in TD
2.5TD will eventually rip the AR25 to bits - the box cannot handle the torque.  Owning a 2.5TD with a AR25 is a bit like owning a K series Rover - you know it will fail, just a case of when....

What about a VERY well running 3.0V6, with a slightly suspect AR25?? ::)

It's been 1700 miles so far, I put a litre of oil in the autobox yesterday ::) ;D ;D ;D
As you know, it will rip it to shreds fairly quickly...

;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: Pitchfork on 23 May 2007, 19:37:42
Surely the life expectancy of an AR25 is dependant on how it is used
If you don't play tunes on it, don't think that you are Jensen Button (OK bad example) & generally don't subject it to stress, it should last
Mine has done 128K now & has never been problematical (it's either in P, D or R)
IW
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: osealy on 23 May 2007, 20:16:14
I don't drive slowly, but I don't try to have fun either. No deliberate drifting or traffic light GP's. 125k now' was hoping for 200K. Is this not the point of a cheap car.
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 23 May 2007, 20:44:19
With new ATF, I intend for the AR25 to last a bit of time, if driven sensibly..
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: TheBoy on 23 May 2007, 21:00:02
The AR25 in my 2.5TD let go at 121k, 3 weeks after a fluid change.  Admittedly, the day it went, I was, err, "in a hurry"
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: Martin_1962 on 23 May 2007, 21:08:42
I think the AR35 rebuild would be a very good idea.
If it fixes the thrust washer problem we could build a stock of recon AR35s and flog them:y
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: Omegatoy on 23 May 2007, 21:13:25
If none of you has ever rebuilt an auto box let me tell you here and now its not easy!!! everthing must be cleaner than an operating theater and on this ar 35 it needs a few special tools and pullers not to mention settings!!!
although its possible its very long winded and finicky!!!

jm2pw
Omegatoy
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: sassanach on 23 May 2007, 21:36:17
where in the uk can you get the rebuild kits?
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: sassanach on 23 May 2007, 21:50:40
i must also point out that i agree with omegatoy here,cleanliness is everything but if one is methodical, i see no reason why it can,t be done.special tools i personally dont regard as a issue as when ive previously rebuilt gearboxs (auto as well as manual) i just make my own.(having access to a fully equipped engineering workshop is always a help)
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 23 May 2007, 22:09:57
This is the little bugger that breaks.....

http://www.transmissionspecialty.com/parts/parts/54701-03K.htm

And this is the place that does the spares.....

http://www.jpat.co.uk/

They might well be cheaper for the filters to.
Title: Re: autobox
Post by: sassanach on 29 May 2007, 22:08:33
now in receipt of manual for 4l30e courtesy of the US of A. now whose got a knackered ar35 for me to play with?