VS 6HDD Gearbox Problem in Drive

[hsv91ss]

Hey Everyone

I lent my friend my VS as he needed to go down the road he revered out the driveway fine and then went to take off I heard a noise as I was out the front unfortunately he was holding the accelerator before it changed into drive from reverse and the car sat there and reved. I jumped in and couldn't get it to move in Drive but I did get it to move in first and reverse however felt as if it was shaking a little.

When I put it back into drive and this only happens in drive it sounds similar to a broken thrush brace bearing in a manual when it is warn a little noisy and as if it is not gripping what could it be something that I can replace or does it need a new box and if so how hard is it to do in a VS?

Thanks

[db_notso]

hmm
myself i would try changing the auto fluid and see if there is any metal bits in the oil if there is will definately need a rebuild/replacement
they are no worse than any other rwd auto most people wouldnt do it at home without an air compressor but can be done without it but
normally the bell housing bolts are tight as a mofo thanks to age and rust on the threads

[hsv91ss]

Money is very tight so I need to do it cheap as possible the noise only happens in 2nd gear could it be a band?

[db_notso]

i did my dads one recently as it was noisy in second and third and slipping when cold
had metal in the pan
went to wreckers 150 bucks for second hand auto
100 bucks for oil and other little bits and pieces then all was well.
if it only had noise since the "incident" then it is likely buggered soz bud
the only way to check if its terribly damaged would be to drop the pan and do an auto seervice (filter)
and check the oil and filter fo debris

[hako]

I'd say you have sheared the sun gear shell which means no drive or reverse soon after it shears....very common at least once in the life of a Commodore (just ask me). Do a Google on "4l60e sunshell failure" and you'll see what I mean. When mine failed - with just a 'click/klunk', it just started to slowly freeze up eventually with no drive at all....this was in the space of about 3 Km. If this is so, only fix is a reco or 2nd hand trans unbfortunately.

[hsv91ss]

I hope it didn't have to come to replacing the box. Would it be better to replace the 6HDD, use a 7HDD or if I found a conversion go manual?. Also I found since the incident occurred the trans oil is now brown, not red like it was a few days ago so I assume it is safe to say it is finished.

[hako]

The oil could be brown from mixing with the old residual oil as only half gets changed when you drop the sump...the rest is in the TQ etc.
Re using a 7HDD...that would be OK as long as it's not a 7HDD from an early VT which has the separate bellhousing.

[hsv91ss]

I got quotes on a reco box $1650 including Reco Torque Converter but don't want to spend that much is it a hard job to do? I have changed boxes before however they have been outside of the car.

[hako]

If you have access to a hoist it is pretty easy. Next is have it on ramps and have available at least one good trolley jack and a few other jacks/blocks. It is also better to do it on concrete so you can strap the trans to the trolley jack and slide it out. Trans cooler lines can be a hassle to remove. Do a search as there are a few write ups.

[James39]

Sounds like your mate should offer you the money for the repair.

[db_notso]

brown fluid indicates band failure its probably toast if its new fluid...
found some old info on the sungear mentioned above
when it fails the oil with debri in it flows into the valve body then the filter (depending on gear set) and destroys valve body

sounds like a replacement box to me

[patvs95]

dose any body no the difference between the 12 and 13 pin gearboxs and also what could i use for a replacment gearbox ? mine is a 6hdd m30 any ideas would but great as i have lost reverse but have all forward gears