700R4 & 4L60E: Measuring Servo Travel and Adjusting Band Clearance PT1
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- In PT1 of a two-part video series, I demonstrate how to measure and use servo travel to arrive at optimal 2-4 band clearance in your 700R4 or 4L60E using factory servo assembly components.
First, I give a quick overview then cover tools and prep. Then, I show different servo pins and different types of bands available. Then I demonstrate how to measure your servo assembly's inboard travel using a dial indicator as a means to adjust the clearance between the band and the servo.
The demo shows two different types of bands being adjusted: a Borg Warner factory high energy band and an Alto Red Eagle high performance wide band.
This video is a must for those new rebuilding to 700R4s and 4L60Es as well as those trying to diagnose a harsh 1-2 upshift, especially where no codes such as P1870 or P0894 are present.
PT2 will demonstrate the same process but with the Sonnax Super Hold Servo Assembly.
It would be the spring between the servo assembly and the case. Thanks again!
Thank you for posting this! used it to figure out why 4th gear was so slow!
You're welcome, Steve! Glad it helped you solve that problem. Thank you for watching.
FANTASTIC video! I watched DAYS of rebuild videos when I put my 4L60E together. Wish I'd seen your video here before I assembled the servo. I may have to take that back apart again. The band did leave me a touch confused as well as drilling separator plate. I cannot believe you don't have more hits on this video. Very helpful!
Thanks, man! Appreciate it...It's only been out a week or so, hopefully it gets more views...Cheers!🍺
Great video Nick, Very informative. Your videos really helped me when I was rebuilding my 4l60e. I have one question. Does the approximate lateral band travel change any for a wide band? Thank you, and thanks for all the great information you put on here.. It really helped me out!
Thanks for watching, man...
1/8 to 3/16 of an inch front-to-back travel is what you should be managing to for all types of 700R4 and 4L60E bands.
@nickstransmissions thanks for the reply, that helps alot 👍
You're welcome, man.
Great videos, they are very helpful. I’m building a 700r4 now and it didn’t have a servo return spring in it. Does it need one? Thanks
Thanks, Mike. I'd definitely put the servo return spring back in. When the 2-3 shift is hydraulically commanded by the governor, 3rd gear apply oil enters the band release circuit first to push the servo off the band...The spring is there to help disengage the servo efficiently so that the timing between band release and 3-4 clutch apply is correct...No spring can throw that timing off and cause the band to drag unnecessarily on the drum.
Will do, thanks for the quick response! Thanks again for the great videos, very helpful!
Got a 98 Z71 with 233k that won’t shift to 2nd or 4th and a P0751 fault. I’m purdy positive it’s burnt up from the fluid, clutch material in the pan and metal build up on the magnet. I checked my band though as it looked really loose and I had probably 1/2-3/4” of lateral play (front to back) so I appreciate the info and I’ll tell my dad now he for sure needs a rebuild.
Howdy. I have a new-to-me 1995 Chevy Sierra 1500 pickup with original 4L60e tranny (as far as I know). 228,000 miles. Runs good. Only symptom I have is delayed shift from 1st to 2nd. It waits until 2,700 to 3,100 rpms. I can usually make it upshift to 2nd by easing up on fuel pedal just a little for a moment at various lower RPMs. Does it hot or cold, in cold weather and warm. It misbehaves when selecting "D" as well as "3". It will downshift from 2nd to 1st, as it should though.
Everything else operates as it should. Fluid is clean, red, and exactly full when warm/level. Fuses all good. No CEL or stored codes (used jumper wire method). No visual leaks or consumption. Filter condition is unknown, as I haven't removed pan.
Is this the 1-2 solenoid / solenoid A failing, more than likely? Or the 2-4 Servo? Or the 1-2 Accumulator valve? I have no CEL or stored codes.
Also, is there a way to manually shift it to further narrow down the issue?
Hi Thetruths, I'm going to speculate it's your 2-4 band itself slipping due to it being excessively worn and drum surface warped especially given the amount of mileage on the unit...I'd check your servo travel as shown in this video; anything more than .125 inboard travel would indicate band wear...You can try installing a Transgo shift kit and Corvette 093 second gear servo as a stop-gap repair to see if it helps but I'd start planning for a full overhaul.
@nickstransmissions thanks! Is there behavior I mention that excludes the solenoid seals, 1-2 valves, or accumulator/valves from being the possible cause?
Also, if it does the same behavior when selecting 2nd manually, from Park, would that tell me anything? I am going to check this today again. I believe it did the same thing, but I'm going to verify today, as well as look for any minor leaks from electrical connections on the transmission itself.
When you're in M2 and/or M1, your line pressures are markedly higher compared to when you're in Drive...Additionally, manual low engages the low reverse clutch pack as well so you have more applied elements working so less likely to slip. As I mentioned in my other reply, drop the pan and look at the bottom - if a lot of burnt clutch material is present, put the pan back on with a few bolts and yank it for overhaul...You have my entire 4L60E playlist, including complete rebuild series from start to finish to assist you with the rebuild.
@@nickstransmissions thanks, will do!
Recently rebuilt my 700r4 and it has no reverse could this make it not have no reverse
Hi Blacktahoe - The band in these transmissions isn't on/working in reverse like a 4L80E or TH400...
No reverse in a fresh rebuild, check the bolts on the aux valve body (or reverse hold-down plate on non-aux VB units)...Otherwise, you may have cut a seal on the low reverse piston in the rear of the case.
@ thank you for the reply and advice on what I may have done wrong keep up with the great informative videos
@ does the auxiliary valve body work the reverse I’m new to rebuilding transmissions this is my first one for my personal vehicle
Will do, man...Aux VB is primarily for improving the garage engagement into drive (forward clutch apply); it doesn't play any substantive role in the low-reverse application.
@@nickstransmissions thank you very much for the insight
I did it with sonnax pin
Yep, always a good option..Thanks for watching, Michael.
@@nickstransmissionsI recently tried a case saver that had bad results a topic maybee you should cover in the future I could share some details on what I went through to try and make it work and why it didn’t
Thank you for the suggestion, Michael. Will definitely do a video if the opportunity presents itself.
Hey nick first time rebuilding my transmission and I have 2nd gear but I can't tell if it's trying to slip into 4th or not
Hi Alex - I'd confirm what gears are being commanded via a bi-directional scan tool so you know if you have all three upshifts and are getting 4th gear w/TCC lock up.
@@nickstransmissions I for sure feel all three up shifts
Ok so are you saying it's slipping in 4th? If you're not sure, take for another test drive and monitor your 3-4 upshifts to confirm or deny a slipping condition
@@nickstransmissions ok will do
@@nickstransmissions it's slipping trying to catch 4th cause I can put it in 3rd manually and feel the stiffness difference
just got done watching this procedure , great information , wondering what my measurements were on this band at 61,000 K
when it burned up ???
( SECOND SPEED BAND WAS THE PROBLEM ) !!!!!!!
BETTER YET , were is this trans shop setting the clearances on this new one ???
You would be surprised at the guys who work in the industry ( mine, heavy truck / yours trans shops ) that have been doing it
there way ;
( BILLY BOB , HACK - A - BILLY ) for 20 - 30 years or more , and it's not even close to " SPEC " ) !!!!!
ESPECIALLY IN THE DEEP SOUTH !!!!!
I am originally from Delaware County PA. just outside " PHILLY " , your accent leads me to believe your from JERSEY / NEW YORK / LONG ISLAND ??
WERE ARE YA LOCATED ??
HELL , I WILL START BRINGING THE TRANNYS TO YOU & REFERRALS TOO , IF YOUR UP IN THAT AREA ??
only a couple hours away if so ???
LET ME KNOW , THANKS NICK , GREAT INFORMATION & VIDEO AS USUAL / I TOOK NOTES & PART NUMBERS !!!!!!
THE MACK TRUCK GUY
You're right Paul, good ear! I'm originally from Philly and grew up in Montgomery Co, just up the Blue Route from you.
@@nickstransmissions I thought so , your even closer then I thought !!
My 1 son Danny works at Entenmann's Bakery as a fleet mechanic in the shop
in Conshohocken Pa. Montgomery County !!
good to know your local !!!
KEEP UP THE GREAT VIDEOS !!!
THE MACK TRUCK GUY
Hey Paul,
I'm actually not local as I moved out West 20 years ago but do recall the DelVal area very well so it's nice to hear from someone from back there!
Hi Nick, great video as always. If my trans has a slight clunk when it downshifts 3rd to 2nd. is that a servo or band issue? This clunk happens almost every time I’m coming to a stop when it downshifts. (Trans was rebuilt, new driveshaft, u-joints, ring & pinion, carrier. I’m told by a buddy out of state the servo may need adjustment?? Would you tend to agree it’s too much or???
Hi Shaffer, it's normal - mine does it as well and I have a Transgo shift kit and perfect band clearance...You can measure your servo's inboard travel following the instructions in the video to determine if you may have excessive band clearance...If so, you'll want to shim the servo or install a slightly longer apply pin.
I have good 1-2 and 2-3 shifts but no overdrive, could this be my problem?
Maybe but not likely since more applied elements are working in 4th (2nd and 4th gear servo pistons)...What is the live transmission data in your scan tool showing when you're supposed to be in fourth gear? Is the PCM / TCM commanding a 4th gear upshift or no?
@@nickstransmissions Yes its commanding 4th but no shift
Drop the pan and check the 4th gear apply - it's the little hole on the pan rail right below the servo bore. If the servo is applying the band like it should, check the 3-4 relay valve (if it's in backwards you will never upshift from 3rd. Also check/test the shift solenoids (sol A may be intermittently failing to come back on when pcm commands 4th when it should). 3-2 control solenoid failure can cause a variety of symptoms as well...lastly double check fluid level. Being low can also cause no 3-4 upshift...
ETA- falling out of fourth (or non upshift) can also be 3-4 clutch pack beginning to fail. You'lll if this applies when you drop the pan.
@@nickstransmissions wow, thanks for the response. I appreciate it.
You're welcome. Please subscribe if you havent already. Im always doing videos on those transmissions so you'll be notified when they are published.
Will the 2nd gear band for 1-2 and 3-2 shifting always flare the RPMs when the band is too warn, on both the upshift 1st to 2nd, and downshift 3rd to 2nd? My 1995 4L60E only late-shifts from 1st to 2nd. It does fine from 3rd to 2nd.
Yes, if it's worn it will more than likely flare on your 1-2 shift before it does so on your 3-2 downshift but drop the pan and check for burnt friction material...If you see a lot of it at the bottom of the pan, put a few bolts back on and yank it for overhaul.
@nickstransmissions awesome, will do thanks!
@nickstransmissions OK update. 1995 Silverado 4L60E. Daily driver. 229,000miles. All stock. There's no 2nd or 4th. It was shifting 1st to 3rd, and 3rd to 1st. Does same behavior in D and 3. In 2, it doesn't shift out of 1. Fluid clean, red and full. No burned smell. Is there anything it could be except for 2 and 4 bands or clutches? Guess I could measure the Servo and see from there, eh?
I have a local selling a 4L60E from his 1994 S10 4x4 4.3L. For $100. Has nothing but Reverse gear. Will that be useful as a spare for anything V8? I have this 95 Silverado and also 2005 Yukon. Thanks!
Do you have reverse?
Did you drop the pan yet?
If not, drop the pan then check band apply at the little hole on the pan rail surface just under the servo...Use anywhere from 50-75 PSI of air to do this...If the band applies then the servo is working but the band is shot.
If you find the band is shot, pull it out and rebuild it; don't buy used transmissions as you'll find yourself back to square one in no time.
Hey nick great explanation wish i would have seen this when i was rebuilding my 4l60e i have just checked my servo end play its coming in at .120 i am having some shifting issues after trans rebuild 1-2 shift is smooth under light acceleration 2-3 seems to flair on shift almost neutralizing then on the 3-4 shift or O.D it will not shift without heavy accelerating could this be a simple servo problem? Fluid is nice and bright no material in pan after id say 40 miles on it i just dont want to cause more damage driving this thanks for any insight on my problem have a great week
Hi Cameron, thank you for watching...Given your symptoms, I suspect the 3-4 clutch pack is failing for some reason; there's likely a leak in the 3-4 apply circuit which impacts both the 3-4 clutch pack and 4th apply servo portion of your servo assembly.
So to answer your question -> No, it's not a servo issue in terms of incorrect band clearance or anything like that.
Okay thank you ill be pulling the trans out soon
Whats the part number on the o-ring style sealing ring that replaces the scarf seals? Transtar carries?
Hi Galli, there's a few different kits/part numbers out there but if you search '4L60E Viton rubber servo sealing rings' you'll come up with a bunch of options and sources for those. I use them from time to time in HP builds, they're good to go.
Never used these. However
Fitzall
SERVO EXTENDO PIN
SKU #: 77605G
SERVO EXTENDO PIN, 4L60E
USED TO LENGTHEN THE SERVO PIN ALLOWS
BETTER BAND APPLICATION
Fits: GM 4L60E
SERVO EXTENDO PIN
SKU #: 77605E
SERVO EXTENDO PIN, 700-R4
USED TO LENGTHEN THE SERVO PIN ALLOWS
BETTER BAND APPLICATION
Fits: GM 700-R4
Thanks, Larry!
I'll grab one of those to feature in Part 2.
Hey do you know if I can use a valve body that uses early style epc and had the earlier style separator place gaskets v/b instead of vb/ca on my 2006 4l65 case?
Hi Skyler - how early of a valve body...1996-2006 all use the same electronics; the only change in that period was the EPC's connector which was updated in 2003. So anything from 96-06 will work as long as the VB is healthy.
Awesome man!!
Thanks, HMG!