Need help, my 2004 Lesabre shifts hard.

[-Regal-]

at 180,000 miles, starting to have this issue. transmission guy says a kit won't fix it, but I've seen so many people saying it will that I am suspect. Should I just have it installed anyway you think? Trying to get the car/transmission to go another 50k!

Yes. My transmission at 150,000 miles + still operates nicely and had the shift kit installed in the late 90s. I've had plenty of mechanics claim the job I'm asking them to do won't fix my issue, and they've almost always been wrong. Unless they have owned and dealt with the same issues on the same or a similar sort of vehicle, they're typically going on generalities in mechanics rather than their own experience in dealing with it, especially these days when it comes to an older relatively obscure car with its own particularities. That said, I don't know what your transmission needs; this job is only a starting point. The new fluid and filter that comes with it will hopefully be a good thing for it too.

 

[Snrnd]

Well, what do you think??‽

I think yes, but my fear and limited wallet fears screwing something up. But I ordered the parts and am going to do it in the next couple of weeks; I'll let ya know how it goes!

 

[02LTD]

I think yes, but my fear and limited wallet fears screwing something up. But I ordered the parts and am going to do it in the next couple of weeks; I'll let ya know how it goes!

Once you install the kit you’ll wonder why you waited so long.😳😉

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Your transmission guy may be accurate depending on the what may be seen in the fluid and if it's friction material being suspended in it especially on high mileage transmissions. As it's a case by case basis if the fluid is holding a lot of the friction material it's what actually keeping the transmission moving still.

If it's a full flush and the material is drained with the fluid the internals no longer have anything to grab hold of and the transmission is DOA.

Not saying it will happen again it's depending on each transmission just something to be mindful of.

 

[SAYBER]

Once you install the kit you’ll wonder why you waited so long.😳😉

That's for sure

 

[Snrnd]

Your transmission guy may be accurate depending on the what may be seen in the fluid and if it's friction material being suspended in it especially on high mileage transmissions. As it's a case by case basis if the fluid is holding a lot of the friction material it's what actually keeping the transmission moving still.

If it's a full flush and the material is drained with the fluid the internals no longer have anything to grab hold of and the transmission is DOA.

Not saying it will happen again it's depending on each transmission just something to be mindful of

Your transmission guy may be accurate depending on the what may be seen in the fluid and if it's friction material being suspended in it especially on high mileage transmissions. As it's a case by case basis if the fluid is holding a lot of the friction material it's what actually keeping the transmission moving still.

If it's a full flush and the material is drained with the fluid the internals no longer have anything to grab hold of and the transmission is DOA.

Not saying it will happen again it's depending on each transmission just something to be mindful of.

He did a drain and fill and said it was one of the cleanest he had ever seen, nothing in the fluid. Assuming that's the truth but of course I'll keep an eye on it myself. I also got new magnets for the tsb from 2008 and I'll put those in when I have everything dropped

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Good to hear on the fluid, there are the horror stories on owners who were told just change the fluid only to find out that it created more problems than fixing.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

He did a drain and fill and said it was one of the cleanest he had ever seen, nothing in the fluid. Assuming that's the truth but of course I'll keep an eye on it myself. I also got new magnets for the tsb from 2008 and I'll put those in when I have everything dropped

I would replace the differential lube pipe too with the 1 piece upgraded part

 

[Snrnd]

I would replace the differential lube pipe too with the 1 piece upgraded part

Is that the little clamp thingy?

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

Is that the little clamp thingy?

the clamp is the aftermarket reinforcement for the 3 piece line from factory but it costs more than the part which cant fail the same way

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

The bottom line that has a clip into the trans, has 2 clamps, 1 hose, and another end that pushes into the trans on other side
makes an L shape

 

[Snrnd]

View attachment 37488
The bottom line that has a clip into the trans, has 2 clamps, 1 hose, and another end that pushes into the trans on other side
makes an L shape

So you're saying that bottom line IS the diff lube pipe? How easy is it to install? And would doing so make that aftermarket clamp obsolete? Or would I want that, too?

 

[SAYBER]

So you're saying that bottom line IS the diff lube pipe? How easy is it to install? And would doing so make that aftermarket clamp obsolete? Or would I want that, too?

Waste..don't need it imo.

 

[02LTD]

I totally agree with SAYBER. Just install the new springs and spacers from the kit along with a new filter and some magnets. I also replaced the original pan with a new one that has a drain plug to make future pan drops less messy.😉

 

[Snrnd]

I totally agree with SAYBER. Just install the new springs and spacers from the kit along with a new filter and some magnets. I also replaced the original pan with a new one that has a drain plug to make future pan drops less messy.😉

Thought about that. It's a new gasket, too, but might grab one to have on hand in case it breaks on me

 

[SAYBER]

I totally agree with SAYBER. Just install the new springs and spacers from the kit along with a new filter and some magnets. I also replaced the original pan with a new one that has a drain plug to make future pan drops less messy.😉

Yup. Dorman pan!

 

[02LTD]

Yup. Dorman pan!

I used an A-Premium pan from Amazon.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

So you're saying that bottom line IS the diff lube pipe? How easy is it to install? And would doing so make that aftermarket clamp obsolete? Or would I want that, too?

Yes the 2 other pipes are for the accumulator and something else, the one that has a hose is the differential lube pipe specifically. And the clamps/rubber have been known to fail, hence the clamp by sonex

But the part from GM would work too, is cheaper, and is available when sonnex is often out of stock

 

[SAYBER]

Yes the 2 other pipes are for the accumulator and something else, the one that has a hose is the differential lube pipe specifically. And the clamps/rubber have been known to fail, hence the clamp by sonex

But the part from GM would work too, is cheaper, and is available when sonnex is often out of stock

The clamps imo, are just a selling tool...just make sure tubes on both ends are in and snug. Done.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

The clamps imo, are just a selling tool...just make sure tubes on both ends are in and snug. Done.

If it fails, you will see catastrophic damage most likely.

And mine didnt fail in that it was the thing to give. but im guessing all the granola bits blocked the passage inside and then the pressure shot it off partially, enough it wasnt going to be sealed and regardless if it cleared or not.

The hose breaking down is very possible and mine is very stiff and the clamps arent very strong compared to say, heater core ones.
They get really hot, cycle, and the fluid condition/type can do things to it.

Id say the few dollars at the time of major service is a perfect reasonable investment