Hard Shifts

[dissmn8]

I started a thread on the old site that I was using to log my activity and gain information for resolving the common sticky PCS/hard shift issue. I believe the problem has been resolved without replacing the PCS which is a $600-$800 fix by just spending around $150 and some of my own time. Here are the results.

Symptom: Hard shift from first to second shows up first under moderate acceleration. Hard shift in all gears appears shortly after. This occurs after tranny is warmed up generally around 40 miles of highway driving. Condition shows up under shorter distance in city driving conditions and can come and go after shutting off the car for a period of time.

Steps I took to resolve this issue:
1. I did a pan drop to remove the tranny fluid which appeared very dark in color indicating significant amounts of clutch wear floating around in the fluid.
Result after 1K miles: Same condition appears as before with more consistency.
2. Added half a can of Trans Tune.
Result after 2.5K miles: Same condition appears as before.
3. Dropped pan again to remove the tranny fluid. I added a Thrasher shift kit utilizing the softest combination available with the kit.
Result after 1K miles: Car shifts like a dream. I have not had one re-occurrence of the hard shift issues since the install. Even took the car to Cincinnati (250mi one way) without any issues. This install also appears to have helped my gas mileage averages. City and AC driving are not as detrimental to the mpg averages.

It appears that spending the $99 on the Thrasher Shift kit was the way to go to resolve this issue. It is very easy to install and makes the car shift like it should have out of the factory. No more slipping from 1st to 2nd. Also worthy of noting: When searching out the shift kit options available, I found several instances where this shift kit was available with a rebuild kit. Appears it is common to also replace the accumulator springs during a rebuild. Looks to me like a possible engineering weak point on this tranny.

[00Beast]

What's the difference between the Intense and thrasher kits?

[dissmn8]

Verry little that I can tell other than you get more with the Thrasher kit like the tranny filter.

[BillBoost37]

Intense's kit comes with a filter as well

There are two basic settings, depending on whether you have a 245 mm. (stock in 4T65E transaxles) or 258 mm. (stock in 4T65E-HD transaxles) torque converter. This kit is by far the most comprehensive performance shift pak on the market for our transaxles. Every kit includes:
5 custom accumulator piston springs
3 custom flat spacers
8 custom cylindrical spacers
sandpaper to smooth accumulator gasket surface for improved mating
new accumulator gasket
abrasive pad to scuff accumulator bores for increased oil on bore walls
2 new piston seals
new transaxle filter
transmission assembly lubricant
extremely detailed installation instructions with full color images explaining how to inspect your transaxle pan contents, and properly prepare the accumulator cover, accumulator pistons and piston pins.

[00Beast]

So the only real difference is that the Thrasher kit is adjustable and cheaper?

[2001SSEi]

I also had posted this same problem on the other site. My old screen name was Busa-Max. But, I went with the Intense shift Kit. I am hoping to do some performance mods, and I am planning on rebuilding the transmission in the near future, so that I can upgrade some of the weak parts inside the transmission. None the less, I added the shift kit in June and all appears to working ok at this time. I will get a little shutter some times; this is not really a problem though.

I hope this help someone else.

Mike

[dissmn8]

Intense offers two types of shift kits.

1 @ 79.99 that only offers springs, spacers and ring gaskets.

The other is 129.99 wihich is what was listed above by Bill.

The Thrasher holds what is needed to do the job and is appropriatly priced right in the middle. That is why I choose that dirrection.

[dissmn8]

7K mile update: Car is still shifting very well. Once in a while I notice an extra stiff shift from 1st to 2nd but not between any other gears. This of course is not near the magnitude that was present before the shift kit.

[Archon]

Thanks for reporting back. It's always nice for the members to hear when something works out.

[BoiseGTP]

We have started to make our own home made shift kits. The only cost is fluid and a filter. They work great but we are having a bit of an arguement about the springs and if they really make any difference. Anybody have any knowledge of the springs?

[Phyrestorm]

Hmmm... That's awesome I definitely plan on getting a Shift Kit, thanks for the heads up!

Generally from what I read from the thrasher site the harder you put the setting on the better for your transmission but it'll be firmer shift?

[lynn37]

I am having the same problem with my 2000SSEi. It has 82000 miles on it. You mentioned that the instructions
were simple and easy to understand. How long did the install take? How do you know weather you have t65E or the t65E HD?

[hawkjet]

I have been an advocate of this mod for solving this problem. I did the same and reported the same on the old site. I have around 18,000 miles and a years driving without hard shifting from the PCS problem.

[dissmn8]

lynn....Basically, it adds about 15-20 minutes to the typical pan drop proceedure. There were a couple of technical threads on the other site that were very helpfull with pictures and all. I am not sure were to find them now other than the PDF copy I have. PM me if you would like a copy.

I am not sure if there is a difference between the t65E and the t65E HD in terms of this shift kit. Hopefully one of the gearheads here will confirm.