How long does a typical 4L60E last?

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

I've got 104k on my original A4 tranny. Wondering what's the experience here on how long it'll last. Mine shifts firmer than stock and I get on it every once in a while, but don't make it a habit. I'm going to have the PCM reprogrammed for stock shift firmness when I get the chance.

[FRMLAV8]

We had our's rebuilt when we put in the 383. The mechanic said the tranny looked good for having 134,500 miles on it, but he said the 3rd gear bands were definitely worn. I would have lost third gear the first time the it hit the 2-3 shift with the new motor (significantly more HP )

But at 134,500 miles I probably would have been fine for a while with the stock motor, so I would guess - unless you start noticing problems - you should be good to go!

Randy

[Joe 1320]

Mine lasted 102K. The bands and clutches were very thin, but I had broken the low sprag and cracked the sun shell.

[markd79ta]

Re: How long does a typical 4L60E last?

Originally posted by Joe K. 96 Zeee!!
I've got 104k on my original A4 tranny. Wondering what's the experience here on how long it'll last.

It really depends on their use and service intervals. It can last 200,000 if it is serviced every 30,000 with a flush & fill...new filter, and not abused. If it is raced and serviced...100,000 to 150,000. If it isn't serviced...50,000 to 80,000. If it is abused, 50,000 to 60,000...maybe. I bought a '87 Suburban with a dead 700R4. After checking the fluid, and discovering what looked like 40W oil, I found a no fluid pumping condition with the tranny cooler. I dropped the pan, and found sludge, literally, I could spoon the stuff out of the pan, and the filter was completely plugged. After changing the filter, and flushing the tranny with 5 quarts of fluid, the tranny worked fine, but the torque converter is shot, and starts to give way at 35mph or so, but I can move it around. The guy had 90,000 miles on it, and never once changed the fluid...consequently, he sold it to me for $800, and I towed it home with my Blazer. The tranny, though, was very solid to handle that kind of punishment for that long. It basically kept working until the sludge finally plugged the system.

However, at 100,000 miles, the tranny has some wear so if it takes a lot of punishment with hard shifts, roaming, quick take offs without it firmly in gear, etc. it will give up on you fairly quickly...by 150,000 or so. I would expect it to give in the next 50,000 miles if you are pushing it at all.

[BAS]

Re: How long does a typical 4L60E last?

Leave your shift firmness alone. Your fine.

Originally posted by Joe K. 96 Zeee!!
I've got 104k on my original A4 tranny. Wondering what's the experience here on how long it'll last. Mine shifts firmer than stock and I get on it every once in a while, but don't make it a habit. I'm going to have the PCM reprogrammed for stock shift firmness when I get the chance.

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

Well, just wanted to know when I could expect it. I'm interested in doing a conversion to M6. Looks like that'll run 1500 for the parts....plus maybe 10 hours labor. I'll make that call when it comes.

The shift firmness is giving me prob's when the roads get wet. Like when I have to pull on a main road and accelerate to merge at the same time. I have to keep the throttle down as I'm turning so I don't swap ends.

I swapped from 2.73 gears and it was fine when I had them. With 3.42's though it's a bit much most of the time.

[Joe 1320]

Originally posted by Joe K. 96 Zeee!!


The shift firmness is giving me prob's when the roads get wet. Like when I have to pull on a main road and accelerate to merge at the same time. I have to keep the throttle down as I'm turning so I don't swap ends.

I couldn't stand it with the increased shift firmness. Even with the stock setting, I seriously cut loose on the 1-2 shift and squeek a 2-3 shift. Besides, simply increasing the line pressure to firm up the shifts isn't the proper way to do it. The stock setting is just fine on the street.