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Transmission Experts: Please Read
The transmission in question is a 2000 T56 that is normally mated to a mildly built LS1. A couple years ago I had my transmission rebuilt by a guy in a barn that I got a couple good referrals to go see. The only thing that was wrong at the time was that it would occasionally pop out of 3rd gear under engine braking. He did a standard rebuild on it and upgraded the 3-4 shift fork to steel with bronze guides. The other guides throughout were also upgraded. When I first got it back, I had an issue where the gear stick would try to jump out of 1st gear as I let the clutch out. So I tore the transmission back out and had him go back through it. He determined he had something shimmed wrong. So I get it back for the second time and everything seems great. Then I tried to downshift from 6th to 3rd on the freeway (I know, aggressive) and it was locking me out. I couldn't force or grind it in. I had to shift into 5th, then it would let me get into 3rd. On top of that, it was also leaking fluid. Just a drop here and there, but annoying to me. So this winter, I decided to cut my losses and take it to a professional shop to have it completely gone through and rebuilt again. This shop is very well known, so I figured they were the best guys to do the work. After a few weeks, they had it broken down and said they really didn't find anything glaringly wrong. They did see a few parts that needed to be replaced, but nothing catastrophic. So I had them replace what they recommended and put it all back together. I installed it a week later and went to test drive it a couple weeks after that. I backed it out of the shop no problem, but when I went to shift into 1st, it was like I was locked out. I couldn't get into 1st or 2nd. I was able to shift into 3rd, then second which was a little rough, then I could get into 1st with a bit of force. Drove it up and down the street, same issue. And it doesn't get any better. Tried double clutching, no difference. Bled the clutch again, no difference. Car seems ok without the engine running, but not with it on. The shop said I need to tear it back out and bring it back to them to be gone through. I can do this (getting really good at pulling the trans. I can go from a fully assembled car to having the trans out in less than 1 hour!), just not my favorite thing to do. They said they don't know what the problem is and don't have any ideas of other things I should try or test before pulling it out. They also didn't see any value in them test driving the car before I pull the transmission out. At least they're willing to help. I'm just a little apprehensive to pull it apart again without having any idea of what might be wrong since it seems fine without the engine running. Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated before I pull this thing. A picture of the build sheet from my most recent rebuild is below. Thanks in advance!
The transmission in question is a 2000 T56 that is normally mated to a mildly built LS1. A couple years ago I had my transmission rebuilt by a guy in a barn that I got a couple good referrals to go see. The only thing that was wrong at the time was that it would occasionally pop out of 3rd gear under engine braking. He did a standard rebuild on it and upgraded the 3-4 shift fork to steel with bronze guides. The other guides throughout were also upgraded. When I first got it back, I had an issue where the gear stick would try to jump out of 1st gear as I let the clutch out. So I tore the transmission back out and had him go back through it. He determined he had something shimmed wrong. So I get it back for the second time and everything seems great. Then I tried to downshift from 6th to 3rd on the freeway (I know, aggressive) and it was locking me out. I couldn't force or grind it in. I had to shift into 5th, then it would let me get into 3rd. On top of that, it was also leaking fluid. Just a drop here and there, but annoying to me. So this winter, I decided to cut my losses and take it to a professional shop to have it completely gone through and rebuilt again. This shop is very well known, so I figured they were the best guys to do the work. After a few weeks, they had it broken down and said they really didn't find anything glaringly wrong. They did see a few parts that needed to be replaced, but nothing catastrophic. So I had them replace what they recommended and put it all back together. I installed it a week later and went to test drive it a couple weeks after that. I backed it out of the shop no problem, but when I went to shift into 1st, it was like I was locked out. I couldn't get into 1st or 2nd. I was able to shift into 3rd, then second which was a little rough, then I could get into 1st with a bit of force. Drove it up and down the street, same issue. And it doesn't get any better. Tried double clutching, no difference. Bled the clutch again, no difference. Car seems ok without the engine running, but not with it on. The shop said I need to tear it back out and bring it back to them to be gone through. I can do this (getting really good at pulling the trans. I can go from a fully assembled car to having the trans out in less than 1 hour!), just not my favorite thing to do. They said they don't know what the problem is and don't have any ideas of other things I should try or test before pulling it out. They also didn't see any value in them test driving the car before I pull the transmission out. At least they're willing to help. I'm just a little apprehensive to pull it apart again without having any idea of what might be wrong since it seems fine without the engine running. Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated before I pull this thing. A picture of the build sheet from my most recent rebuild is below. Thanks in advance!
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