Cat Man HHR

When he said he was going to buy one I thought the same thing as you.

fastsuv

I checked the local rental place.

They only have the low-lift jack and it's $45 per day.

I would rather spend $180 at HF or Northern Tool and then have the tool. I have a lot of uses for it.

It's really cold here this weekend, so even with my gas heater it would be hard to keep it warm in the barn. So maybe waiting for the jack to arrive after online order is a good thing.

Picked up the "new" transmission today:







Steve

Oldblue

Yea, the storm coming up from the south west and cross from Northern California, brrrr!
maybe you’re wise to wait! Maybe next Saturday.

fastsuv

Before I put the transmission in the car, I am going to drop the pan and change the filter, along with adding new fluid. The fluid would be added AFTER installation in the car.

Also I want to change the axle shaft seals while it's out of the car.

Any other suggestions on stuff to do before installation?

Steve

Oldblue

I’ve got a spare set of line seals, I can bring them with me if those are questionable. N/C they are extras from a line kit and I ordered two more. What about the neutral safety switch

Cat Man HHR

I would suggest changing out the shift solenoids also.
Seen some others on this forum having issues with them.
Clean the area of the axles that ride on the seals with scotch bright also.

fastsuv

I was waffling on the thought of changing the shift solenoids, but you're right it's a good idea to change them. If one fails, it's almost as much work to change one as it is to pull the tranny.

I should change the 4 solenoids (1-2 shift, 2-3 shift, TCC, pressure control).

Looks like a rock auto order needs to be placed today:
1) 4 solenoids
2) pan seal
3) side cover seal
4) fluid (the Dexron VI at rock Auto is only $4.08 a quart, much cheaper than local price)
5) two axle seals

Does anyone know if the flexplate-to-torque converter screws are reusable?

Thanks
Steve

DwRed2LT

A few years back with my 2011 i had the reverse go out on it... at 97K.
Luckily for me the trans was barely still under warranty. I got to see it all torn apart.
Glad that trans made it to 300K, maybe a sign of a good HHR to keep.

Oldblue

I didn’t find any information about them, I’ve always reused them in a TH 350 or 7R200, no problems.

fastsuv

The new parts for the transmission and the transmission jack all arrived during last week.

I bought the trans jack from Northern Tool, here it is assembled today:

I took the side cover off the replacement trans, here are some assorted pics:

Torque Converter removed:


Input shaft going to torque converter:


Inside of side cover:


Trans under the side cover:


Here is a solenoid closeup:


The question that I remember someone asking is if you have to remove the park/neutral switch to remove the side cover. I think the manual says to remove it. You don't have to. It only attaches to the main transmission casting, not the side cover. Here is a (slightly blurry) picture showing it on the trans with the side cover removed. If you do remove it, it has to be re-aligned to work properly, which requires a special tool.


I am going to put in the new solenoids, gaskets, and output shaft seals this week. Hopefully I will replace the trans on the car next weekend.


Steve