TH 400 trans locked

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old October 15th, 2008, 05:39 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
hussy250f's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 2
TH 400 trans locked

I had a 400 trans in my garage for a few years now and I am going to swap it with friend for a 700r4 with a bad case of cooked clutches for another project.
Problem is the 400 is stuck in what I assume is forward gears no matter where the selector shaft is positioned other than PARK.
The output shaft will only spin in 1 direction in any gear including neutral. The PARK position seems OK.
The trans sat for a few years in a garage, but was working fine when removed from the previous vehicle.
It makes a definite mechanical "bottoming" noise when you attempt to spin it the other way.
Maybe just stuck clutches or a band from sitting?
Thanks for any input.
hussy250f is offline  
Old October 16th, 2008, 08:01 AM
  #2  
Moderator
 
Olds64's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Edmond, OK
Posts: 15,902
If you've checked all of the obvious stuff (linkage, fluid level, etc.), I would say that you have an internal problem. The TH 400 uses a band to hold the ring of the sun and planetary gear set for reverse. Perhaps this band isn't engaging or is bad.
Olds64 is offline  
Old October 16th, 2008, 02:54 PM
  #3  
Junior Member
 
88 coupe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Southern CA
Posts: 2,212
Originally Posted by Olds64
........ linkage, fluid level, etc ........
Hard to do, when the trans is not in the car.

Originally Posted by Olds64
........ Perhaps this band isn't engaging ........
Not possible for that to happen without pressure in the system. Pressure, that is supplied by the pump when it is turned by the engine.

I see one, or both, of the sprague (one way) clutches as a possibility.

Talk to your local trans rebuilder to find out for sure.

Norm
88 coupe is offline  
Old October 16th, 2008, 03:13 PM
  #4  
Old(s) Fart
 
joe_padavano's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 47,311
Originally Posted by 88 coupe
I see one, or both, of the sprague (one way) clutches as a possibility.
A very high possibility. Alternatively, moisture (condensation or worse) has gotten inside the case and rusted parts together. Either way, the trans needs to come apart.

For complete correctness, it's a sprag clutch.
joe_padavano is offline  
Old October 16th, 2008, 03:48 PM
  #5  
Junior Member
 
88 coupe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Southern CA
Posts: 2,212
Originally Posted by joe_padavano
........ it's a sprag clutch.
Yes it is. My spalshikr should have caught that.

Norm
88 coupe is offline  
Old October 19th, 2008, 06:05 PM
  #6  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
hussy250f's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 2
Thanks for the suggestions, I'm thinking the forward or intermediate clutch is frozen since the output shaft does turn in 1 direction.
I guess I'll be tearing the trans down for an exploratory looksie.
Thanks again guys.
hussy250f is offline  
Old November 10th, 2008, 01:27 AM
  #7  
Registered User
 
RoaringRelic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: California
Posts: 4
When you say "spin" do you mean turn freely by hand? It is normal for a turbo 400 to turn in one direction easily and the other very diffucult. This is because the reaction carrier is fighting with the low sprag, low roller after '70. If you have the transmission output yoke handy it will turn both ways but one will be harder.
RoaringRelic is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Muskrat
Alero
15
January 24th, 2010 08:48 PM
88 coupe
Big Blocks
29
July 6th, 2009 11:15 PM
Warhead
Big Blocks
4
July 4th, 2009 09:34 PM
Tangovino
Brakes/Hydraulic Systems
18
May 27th, 2009 02:38 PM
ragtop442
442
5
April 3rd, 2008 06:48 PM



Quick Reply: TH 400 trans locked



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:08 PM.