150,000 Mile Transmission- New PCS or Rebuild?

[Rusty62]

I just purchased a 2003 SLE for a reasonable price that has a shudder when shifting between 1 and 2. I immediately dropped the pan and replaced the fluid and filter. I also flushed new fluid into the torque converter by removing the cooler line. The fluid was very dirty and was likely original. The pan had some slime in it but no excessive metal. I also put in a can of SeaFoam Trans Tune. The shudder during the 1-2 did not go away. I did find a code P1811 in the history, but was not active and has not come back even with the shudder/slow shift. I am just wondering if it is worth the labor to replace the PCS and install a Transgo shift kit, or with this many miles would I be better off just pulling the tranny and having it gone thru? I can replace the PCS myself, but I just don’t want to go thru all that labor and then find out the clutches are too worn and have to pull the tranny anyway. I really like the car and am in the process of the other common repairs (intake gaskets, rear shocks, fuel tank sender).

Any thoughts?

[nos4blood70]

Just install the shift kit, should help.

[SuperHbody]

Its kind of a personal decision. Depending on how long its been shuddering and if driven hard, I'd probably change the PCS and install the shift kit. It could last another 50,000 miles or more if you take care of it but that's what I would do.

[Rusty62]

I just ordered a Transgo Shift Kit. I will put it in this weekend and see how it responds!

Thanks

[Rusty62]

Well after a busy weekend of replacing lower intake gaskets, new Dorman upper intake manifold, new Dorman fuel tank sensor, and new KYB rear shocks, I finally got the Transgo shift kit installed. It certainly helped the 1-2 shift. It used to shudder at least 6 times during the shift, now it only shudders about 3 times. (The shift is quicker). All the other shifts feel great and actually the 1-2 shift feels normal at WOT. It is not crisp but there is no delay either. I will just run it this way as it isn’t that noticeable anymore and it has not set any codes on me. Hopefully I can get another 20,000-30,000 out of it and then pull it out and do a full rebuild. By the way, the new Doman UIM I just put in does have a steel sleeve in the EGR stovepipe hole. Next fix will be the intermediate steering shaft. I will try to post some pictures of it when I get a chance. Thanks for a great site and the advice!