I am going to keep my 700R4 and put a performance rebuild kit along with new servo and shift kit...are many special tools needed or can most operations be done or improvised one time? Anybody?
Thanks,
Jerry
ps my local trans shop who comes recommended wants 500 bucks to do it, thats with me dropping the tranny off to him, sounded high to me, so i felt if I can read and follow instructions, my wrenching skills are up to it.

sherr,
I would recommend giving it a shot. the experience is unbelievable. get yourself some good tech books, and read them several times. almost study them. be very patient and clean, as well as make sure your work area is very clean. some tips, soak all of your clutch packs overnight in a good quality tranny fluid prior to starting. DO NOT get in a hurry. after you finish, you will full appreciate why the shop charges what they do. there may be a few specialty tools, but should be able to get them at a store that rents tools. best of luck. my first one was a th350...fond memories.

I've rebuilt my 700r4 myself and it is pretty easy to do, but you do need to get some special tools to do the job correctly such as a seal installer for the input shaft, snap ring pliers, clutch spring compressor (2), seal protectors, seal installer and a couple of other things i can't remember off the top of my head. And if you need to drive out some bushings, you need to find the correct socket to drive them out or a pipe or something. On top of all this you need to buy the rebuild kit. I got my rebuild kit from KDS Performance (http://www.kdsperformance.com) I got the rebuild kit that comes with the manual and the video. The video is really good to. The tools I got at a local tool warehouse.

But was it worth it? Definately yes, the tranny so far is working great (knock on wood) and i'm proud that i rebuilt it myself. And if anything goes wrong with the tranny, i'll be able to take it apart and fix it again.

Any questions just ask!

Mike

I use an old Chevy transmission mechanic here in Houston. He still works for a Chevy dealer but rebuilds chevy trannys on the side. I do not know what his prices are. If you want his name and number shoot me an email and I'll give it to you.

500 bucks to rebuild a 700R4 is cheap, maybe too cheap. There are a lot of parts in that trans . . .

Bob.

That was just labor-$500...

Originally posted by sherr20:
That was just labor-$500... OK, in that case it is a decent price. With the number of parts comes more labor. Most shops get from $1200 to $1500 to rebuild one of these (including the soft parts).

If you do it yourself get the ATSG and/or the factory manual. Lint free paper towels and a clean work area are a must. Vinyl or nitril gloves are nice to use also (ATF dissolves the latex gloves).

Some of the tools such as the seal protectors and compressors can be made from hose clamps and the plastic piece from a spray can top. Other tools can also be made up from different pullers and such.

Bob.