Look what I found in gearbox sump

[rrturboD]

Minding my own business yesterday, giving the GM5L40E gearbox its 400,000k filter and oil change, and stuck to the magnet in the sump I found a number of bits of broken somethings. Took them to a local gearbox rebuilder and he identified them as bits of planetary gear. I understand for these pieces of teeth to have collected in the sump, something has broken. Gearbox has not been exhibiting unusual behaviour or new noises. He said it could continue for another 20 kms or maybe 20,000. Only difference in rebuild cost between now and when it stops will be the towing charge!
According to the maintenance records I got with the vehicle, Les Richmond Automotive did the gearbox replacement at 250k, with gearbox rebuilt by A&B Automotive Remanufacturing. So the gearbox has lasted 150k. Is this reasonable?

Given that motor has done 400ks, do I trade vehicle on something a little more modern (2006) or repair?

[rick130]

Planetary years won't be replaced during a rebuild unless obviously damaged,
I'm wondering if sonething else has let go, e.g. a bearing cage and a bit of that has jammed between the gears, unless it is just a fatigue failure.

[p38arover]

Considering what a transmission rebuild costs, I reckon trade it while it's still driving. If the trans fails, the vehicle will be almost worthless (at 400,000km, it's probably almost worthless now. :( ).

[Laurie]

Michael
If your inclined and ready to go; there are some great TdV8's that come up for sale; the best was a 2011 Vogue Luxury 110k dealer serviced $40k in Perth lasted 3 hrs on carsales [bighmmm].

Laurie

[rrturboD]

I had a look at what dealers were offering, but no replacement vehicles in my price range, and not prepared to sell vehicle privately with imminent gearbox failure, so decided too go with rebuild of gearbox and a low stall heavy duty torque converter. I'll be able to let you know how good it is in a couple of weeks when completed.

[rrturboD]

Looking at the clutches, and other internals, there was little evidence of wear or over heating, but planetary gear teeth damage as displayed here:

[gavinwibrow]

I had a look at what dealers were offering, but no replacement vehicles in my price range, and not prepared to sell vehicle privately with imminent gearbox failure, so decided too go with rebuild of gearbox and a low stall heavy duty torque converter. I'll be able to let you know how good it is in a couple of weeks when completed.


Good on you, not passing on the problem to some LR shmuck! Integrity is alive and well.

[1103.9TDI]

How'd you end up going with this, mate?

[rrturboD]

Restored the gearbox, new planetary gears/clutches/valve block/speed sensors/billet low stall HD torque converter .... currently having an issue with 2nd to 3rd gear transition, believed to be 2nd gear speed sensor, so back to the shop to test and sort out.