Sometimes I just wanna cry...

[Landyacht]

I looked at the cost of fluid and realized that if I dropped the pan myself and didn't fix it i would have to put fluid back in and drive to the shop, or call a tow. Either way, my brother and I decided to send it to the shop. I'll let you all know what the results are when I get it back. Thanks for all the advice.

If you plan to drive it to the shop pay close attention to whether or not it shifts into third gear or not . The front clutch not only engages reverse but also third gear. If it shifts into third gear then there should be no issue with the front clutch. You might get lucky and have it turn out to be a rear band adjustment issue like 70bigblockdodge suggested. Hopefully it will not turn out to be another big repair bill. Keep us all posted . We're all anxious to hear the outcome.

 

[Landyacht]

It will still act normal just will not apply the band that provides engine braking just like a manual valvebody. Yes he needs to drop the pan, if he chooses to take it somewhere this banter will keep him from having the whole trans rebuilt that less than reputable shops will have him doing.

Normally the low reverse band will be doing all the work in low 1 and the overrunning clutch will not be doing much of anything but due to the counter clockwise rotation of the rear drum when the rear clutch is applied it will automatically engage itself if the rear band isn't working. I had to go back and really study the diagrams . These things can be tricky at times and easy to over look.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Almost every time it is the low/reverse adjustment and or the anchor strut falls out. I am guilty of this myself on my Challenger, I had a lazy reverse but was never motivated to pull the pan the when our flood happened car was in water far enough that water got into trans so there was my motivation and I could not believe how far it was out of adjustment.

 

[Patrick]

The verdict is in and it is a broken reverse band. It's going to get rebuilt.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Make them show you the parts that reverse band is a stout unit I find that hard to believe. Bet you get handed a 1"×1" piece of steel bent in a 45-90° and told that is part of band.

 

[68plymouth383]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/A727-A518-H...518-/260152462893?hash=item3c924b8e2d&vxp=mtr

This is the one I use in both my 727 transmission. It's a very stout one.

 

[Landyacht]

That's easily a grand or more to pull the trans and overhaul it depending on who you take it to. These old cars can turn out to be money pits. Last summer I had pulled my trans out to do a performance build up. I was gonna take it to a shop and pay a professional to do it. One place I called wouldn't give me a price. They just kept asking me "How much do you want to spend?" I finally said to hell with it and did it myself. They're really not that hard to work on once you get them out of the car.

 

[Big_John]

Make them show you the parts that reverse band is a stout unit I find that hard to believe. Bet you get handed a 1"×1" piece of steel bent in a 45-90° and told that is part of band.

I've seen a bunch of them break. It's a stout appearing piece... but it's also cast iron and not as strong as it looks. No bending... it just snaps in half.

 

[Patrick]

That's easily a grand or more to pull the trans and overhaul it

Yup... The quote is $1195 to replace the bands, seals, and such. Basically all the consumable parts. I'll just have to add it to the list.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

I need to go into the old transmission business. The stock rebuild kit on rock auto is about $65, hell the fluid is that much. I am glad I do all my own but it does consume a lot of time.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

I've seen a bunch of them break. It's a stout appearing piece... but it's also cast iron and not as strong as it looks. No bending... it just snaps in half.

They must toughen up with abuse. I have certainly dished that out to a torqueflite. I believe they are powdered metal. Good enough to make connecting rods out of.

BTW Patrick see if you can get them to include a low/reverse & kickdown band adjustment after 1000 mi because the fluid has to come out, worth a shot to ask for $1200.

 

[Big_John]

They must toughen up with abuse. I have certainly dished that out to a torqueflite. I believe they are powdered metal. Good enough to make connecting rods out of.

I don't believe they are powdered metal. The broken ones look like cast to me.

Powdered metal has come a long way since these cars were built in the 60's. There was a Bendix plant (note "was") just south of me doing state of the art powdered metal. Amazing quality and after they are heat treated, surprising strength. The Remington gun plant in Illion, NY does a lot of powdered metal too.

 

[moper]

Those reverse bands break farily often. It's usually sudden and you may or may not hear it. It can be replaced without rebuilding the whole thing if it's a lower mileage car. You'll only need the pump gasket and seal, stator support sealing rings (I like the iron rings not the teflon), a filter kit, and a new band.

 

[polara71]

I blew reverse in many transmissions as a kid. I used to have to pull through to park

 

[Landyacht]

I need to go into the old transmission business. The stock rebuild kit on rock auto is about $65, hell the fluid is that much. I am glad I do all my own but it does consume a lot of time.

Does the kit come with a reverse band? Some don't.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Does the kit come with a reverse band? Some don't.

No bands but they are less than $75 for the pair.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

I don't believe they are powdered metal. The broken ones look like cast to me.

Powdered metal has come a long way since these cars were built in the 60's. There was a Bendix plant (note "was") just south of me doing state of the art powdered metal. Amazing quality and after they are heat treated, surprising strength. The Remington gun plant in Illion, NY does a lot of powdered metal too.

You guys must do the stick it in reverse while you are still rolling forward and apparently you are going into drive instead of low 1 on your Rockford files "J" turns:busted:

 

[Big_John]

You guys must do the stick it in reverse while you are still rolling forward and apparently you are going into drive instead of low 1 on your Rockford files "J" turns:busted:

Nope. Never broke one on anything fast or driven hard.

Just accept it.... they break. Mostly it seems like it's been C-bodies that I have seen this break. Honestly, I have never broken one myself and I drive cars hard and put them up wet....

FWIW, I never had a strut come out or even seen that failure!

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Nope. Never broke one on anything fast or driven hard.

Just accept it.... they break. Mostly it seems like it's been C-bodies that I have seen this break. Honestly, I have never broken one myself and I drive cars hard and put them up wet....

FWIW, I never had a strut come out or even seen that failure!

I'm just stroking you guys, **** happens.

 

[has2bmopar]

I have also had the reverse servo pistons break.

The older 727s tend to hit reverse hard, even at a lower idle. I drill and tap the inlet port in the case to install a drilled plug to reduce the sudden volume of fluid. You still have full pressure, it just lessens the abrupt slam when you shift into reverse.