Problems after tranny fluid change?

[kd_unruh]

Recently I have heard stories about changing tranny fluid and then the tranny going out about 5000 miles later, mainly on trucks where routine maintenance was ignored. I picked up my 2001 Tahoe a couple of months ago and not knowing the history on how well it was maintained, I want to go through and change all of the fluids (refilling everything with synthetic), but am now concerned about the transmission.

Has anyone heard, or experienced, anything like this? It sounds like user error to me.

Thoughts/suggestions?

 

[Yuke2K]

Most of the stories I've heard pretty much match up to what you said - meaning that the vehicle in question was neglected quite a bit. One difference though is that most of the major problems started after an actual tranny flush, not just a fluid change.

A neglected transmission will wear more, but the gunk that is formed builds up in critical areas that have otherwise worn down, keeping the tranny alive. When you flush a transmission in that condition, you break all of that gunk loose and get rid of it. Now you have out of spec, worn down parts with fresh fluid, and without all of the sludge holding them together, those worn out parts finally fail. It's a gamble with these trannies, unfortunately. They all die sooner or later.

 

[withac]

http://www.tahoeforum.com/showthread.php?t=10101

http://www.tahoeforum.com/showthread.php?t=9484