Tranmission Replacement

I'm new to the forum, so I'll start with a "simple" question. Need to replace my tranny(DIY). Anyone have any tips or suggestions? I've replaced several trannys on other cars (FWD) but know nothing about the Aurora.

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated

I'm new to the forum, so I'll start with a "simple" question. Need to replace my tranny(DIY). Anyone have any tips or suggestions? I've replaced several trannys on other cars (FWD) but know nothing about the Aurora.

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated

While I'm asking, can the autobahn trans be used to repalce std with no problems? Is there really any benefit?

I know the autobahn computers are programmed different. I think I may have a little better acceleration in mine but would prefer better milage.

a new transmission will run you about $2800 installed. I just had it done

Ok, I just did a "replaced by myself" transmission. After doing it, I have a few recommendations.

1. A lift is not required, but is nice.
2. A transmission jack is a necessity.
3. AllData (if you follow their instructions) recommends that the exhaust be completely pulled off. I do not see that this is necessary.
4. Plan lots of time. It took me and 4 other people 23 hours.
5. Replace the torque converter. (if the problem was related to the TC, you will not want to pull off what you just spent 23 hours putting in)
6. Expect a ton of standard bolts.
7. SUPPORT THE ENGINE! A cherry-picker will work wonderfully for this. Since the engine is partially supported by a tranny mount, it won't stay in the car once you remove the tranny.

If you are determined to do this, then go for it. As for my own opinion....It's worth it to buy a used tranny from a junk yard and save the $2400+ to replace the SOB. However...I will never do it again...lol

well before you go replacing the tranny, are you sure that it needs to be replaced? I know there is a problem with shift selonoids with these trans, I thought i needed a new one but found out that all I need is the selonoids.

From what I have heard is typically the second shift solenoid is the only one that goes bad (the solenoid that controls 3rd and 4th gear). Pending on how many miles your car has on it (and how you drive it) should determine whether or not you should replace. The Aurora that I did it on had around 160,000 miles on it, and had been driven relatively hard. I just decided to replace the transmission. I was good in making this decision, because yes, the shift solenoid was bad on this car, but if I would've replaced the solenoid only, my tranny would've had around 5,000-10,000 miles left on it. There was virtually no friction material left on ANY of the transmission bands. Plus, the filters (there are 3!) were extremely clogged with metal particles. I think if it's a high-mileage car, it's worth it. Unless you're a risky person and trust these transmissions to last 200,000+. I do have to say one thing, after replacing this transmission, I have never felt this car shift so smooth. It has made this car a joy to drive once more. Before the shifts were sloppy and took about 1-2 seconds to fully engage into the next gear. Now the shifts are instantaneous, and I can't even feel them...WOW. If you want to replace the solenoids, they are fairly easy to replace and outlined on AllData. Later!

Hello Gang:

I did not want to get ripped off, so I got the right part numbers so when a person trashed out their 1995 Aurora on Ebay.I purchased a used one for about $ 600.00 including shipping.

For another $ 600.00 had it refurbished and its in storage, the day my original goes out. I have the trans shop which did the rebuilding pick-up y spare and put it in.

I was not going to pay $ 2800.00 to $ 3500.00 to replace the trans.

A number of parts I have picked-up at junk yards and Ebay so when stuff craps out, I have the parts.

Make sure if you use a transmission shop,they have experience working on GMC cars.

OK, so the shift solenoid is a common problem but what about the torque converter clutch solenoid. My converter won't lock up. The closest it came on the scanner was 90% engaged. Car's sucking gas. Just curious if there was a common problem involved with that also.
-N8

Hello Gang:

I did not want to get ripped off, so I got the right part numbers so when a person trashed out their 1995 Aurora on Ebay.I purchased a used one for about $ 600.00 including shipping.

For another $ 600.00 had it refurbished and its in storage, the day my original goes out. I have the trans shop which did the rebuilding pick-up y spare and put it in.

I was not going to pay $ 2800.00 to $ 3500.00 to replace the trans.

A number of parts I have picked-up at junk yards and Ebay so when stuff craps out, I have the parts.

Make sure if you use a transmission shop,they have experience working on GMC cars.


good idea....i had my tranny fixed last yr....unfortunitally it was the shops (aamco) first aurora....took them forever an ended up having to call in someone to help them...

Thanks ...... This is the info I was looking for. Were there any other "surprises"? I've got a replacement tranny ($700 with a 1 year warranty - 40k miles). These puppies are heavy! I see why a jack is a necessity, now.

Now just need to get a "round tuit" and I'll be back on the road


Ok, I just did a "replaced by myself" transmission. After doing it, I have a few recommendations.

1. A lift is not required, but is nice.
2. A transmission jack is a necessity.
3. AllData (if you follow their instructions) recommends that the exhaust be completely pulled off. I do not see that this is necessary.
4. Plan lots of time. It took me and 4 other people 23 hours.
5. Replace the torque converter. (if the problem was related to the TC, you will not want to pull off what you just spent 23 hours putting in)
6. Expect a ton of standard bolts.
7. SUPPORT THE ENGINE! A cherry-picker will work wonderfully for this. Since the engine is partially supported by a tranny mount, it won't stay in the car once you remove the tranny.

If you are determined to do this, then go for it. As for my own opinion....It's worth it to buy a used tranny from a junk yard and save the $2400+ to replace the SOB. However...I will never do it again...lol

Well, after seeing all of the information here on this board, I have decided to replace my own trans. It went out on me last week at 148k miles. My concern is trying to deal with the oil leak problem as well. While mine leaks, it is not overly bad. Any thoughts. I am purchasing a used tranny from a local junk yard and having it rebuilt by a transmission place, then I am going to installed myself. should saved me a few bucks, I hope!!!!!!

Is AllData a website? I need to have my solenoids replaced on my 2001 Aurora. I've got an error code for the speed sensor and the car hesitates from 2-3 & 3-4 gears. It doesn't always do this, just some days, more often lately. But anyway, I hear they are relatively easy to replace and wanted to know where I can get detailed instructions considering I'm not a mechanic and will probably get my brother to help me (who is not a mechanic either, but knows more about cars than I).

Is AllData a website? I need to have my solenoids replaced on my 2001 Aurora. I've got an error code for the speed sensor and the car hesitates from 2-3 & 3-4 gears. It doesn't always do this, just some days, more often lately. But anyway, I hear they are relatively easy to replace and wanted to know where I can get detailed instructions considering I'm not a mechanic and will probably get my brother to help me (who is not a mechanic either, but knows more about cars than I).

There is www.alldata.com and also alldatadiy.com

I've never really used either since I bought my factory service manuals instead, but I'm assuming alldata is going to be really really expensive since it's meant for mechanics apparently. I don't know if the diy site has the same quality of info or not though.

Some bad news for you. You almost certainly have a separate issue with your input speed sensor. That doesn't mean your shift solenoids aren't going or already bad either. I paid $1200 for getting the input speed sensor replaced earlier this spring along with 2 solenoids in there (not the shift ones, they are in a different part of the tranny). It was $700 labor plus $400 parts anyway- though some have reported slightly less. The shift solenoids are much much cheaper, like ~$300 total.

There was a link posted a bit back about replacing the i.s.s yourself if you are so inclined. I've never seen handy pics and such for the shift solenoids, but they are supposed to be fairly easy as well.

so why would you need to replace the torque converter when you replace the tranny? and how much do they cost?