If your automatic transmission has gone out, then chances are you can save it with a rebuild. Rebuilding a transmission, like rebuilding an engine is taking it completely apart, inspecting all of your hard parts for damage and replacing all of your soft parts and damaged hard parts. For those who are not familiar, hard parts are just that; they are the hard, metal parts. Soft parts, on the other hand, are your gaskets and seals and clutch friction plate packs. These soft parts wear out much faster than the hard parts. In many cases, some light machining is all that is needed on your hard parts. A master rebuild kit includes all of the soft parts you will need for the rebuild, but what exactly are these soft parts?
Gaskets and Seals
The most common thing people think of when they think of an automatic rebuild kit is the gaskets and seals. All of these absolutely must be replaced when you do your rebuild; otherwise, you are just asking for your newly rebuilt transmission to spring a leak. The seals also control the fluid pressure which controls shifting in older automatics. If your seals are bad, then the transmission may have issues shifting or even not go into gear at all.
Friction Plates
There are two types of plates in your automatic transmission. These are friction plates and steels. The steels tend not to wear out, but if they are bent at all, then they must be replaced. The friction plates, however, do wear out, so you will want to make sure your kit includes new friction plates.
Bands
Many older automatics and some newer models use rubber bands to help control the transmission. These bands, like the belts in your car, will stretch and fatigue over time. These are sometimes missing in cheaper kits, but they need to be replaced. Spend the extra money and get a kit that includes new bands as well.
Raybestos Powertrain has been supplying quality parts to the automobile industry since 1902.
