4T60E Accumulator Pistons

[scorpion_x9]

I figured that I would ask some one about this before doing it. I was looking into replacing the accumulator pistons, seals, springs, shafts, and what-not. But before I go tearing things apart, has anyone ever done this, and does it require removing the transmission from the car? I was talking to a GM service tech and he said it may be some sort of piston that gets weak and wobbles in the bore and doesn't do its job and I'm assuming it's the accumulator pistons. That the only pistons I see that are of relavence to this problem. If anyone's got some feed back on this subject, it would be great to hear it. If not, oh well, I'll probably end up tearing it apart eventually. :grin:

 

I forgot to mention that I think those are the pistons located in the transmission pan, of course under those bolted on covers with the 3 or 4 pipes come out of them.

[brian89gp]

http://www.brian89gp.com/turbo/accumulator.htm

 

All you have to do is drop the pan and they are right there.

[Brian P]

brian, where'd you add the washers?

[brian89gp]

Take it apart you have the thin flat top piece and the deeper one with the 2 "cups" that the accumulators ride in. When you take the piston and spring out you place the washers in the bottom of the "cups". In the end it makes the spring rate stiffer and the shifts a bit firmer.

[Brian P]

ok sounds good, you remember offhand which washers? I remember bszopi posted it, so I could search for it if need-be. And did it made a significant difference or what?

 

Also, howd you separate the metal lines?

[scorpion_x9]

Thanks for the pics brian89. Now I can start taking it apart, and hope fully that solves my problem. It doesn't look like there's too much too it. Now time to gather the parts I need... I know a guy at a chevy dealer locally in the parts deptartment that most of the time gives me parts at wholesale price. :grin:

[brian89gp]

2" OD washers. Local hardware store had them for $.30 each. I used 5 in each and it made the whole car shudder during a shift, I would recommend 3-4 washers as it is a nice balance.

 

The metal lines just slide right on out. When you unbolt the accumulator assembly it will drop down and be hanging from those 3 lines, all you have to do is slide it off of them.

 

One thing to remember is that slow smooth shifts will eat up the clutch material, fast hard shifts will make the clutches dig into the drum that they ride in.

[Brian P]

Thanks Brian I appreciate it, and remember, you're still not good enough for GMforums j/k man