1995 Chevy Tranny Problems

[Wauger-eye]

Hello All, I have a 95 Chevy 1/2 ton 4X4 that I'm getting ready to put the second transmission in. Its an automatic that is used for towing but not as often as I would like!! Never tow in OD. First tranny died after 62,000 mi and this most recent one is giving up after only 55,000 miles!! First tranny was losing reverse and the second one I noticed a very faint "whining" sound similar to when you are in 4WD, took it to the shop and they pulled the pan and it was full of metal! Something about the planetary gears but I don't know all the specifics. I take good care of my vehicles, don't "race" or hotrod, or pull stumps for a living.

Has anyone else had problems with their 95'ish Chevy transmission? Any recommendations for replacements?? I plan on adding the tranny cooler this time but am also looking for the "word from the wise" folks on this board. Boat is 18 Skeeter (bass boat, but I do catch walleye out of it) with tandem axel trailer. Also put a new engine (350 ci) in a little over a year ago so I'm having some bad luck with this truck! Should have kept the '74 Chevy, never had a problem with it.

Sorry for the long post, but all these truck repairs are starting to bite into by boat upgrade fund!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Wauger-eye

[eyewinder]

I've got the same truck, only mine came with the transmission cooler (and other tow package options). I live in the Midwest, so mountains (and even very steep hills) are rare. My luck (knock wood) has been better.

I have 130,000-plus miles on mine (original automatic transmission & motor -- 350). I took it into the shop a couple weeks ago, and had the tranny serviced for the second time (during the life of the truck). I used to pull boats (I have a 19-foot fiberglass now) in 4th gear on the interstate occasionally. I now know better. . .

The service manager said a reasonable expectation for the life of the transmission would be around 100,000 miles.

Mine may have been a "Wednesday" truck -- it's been virtually trouble-free until it reached 130,000 -- now I'm having to take it in regularly (at least once a month) for work. I'm ready to trade it. I hope the next one is as reliable and maintenance-free as this one has been!

[Sunshine]

You're not alone. It was a bad year for trannies. I'm on my second with crossed fingers. I have friends with same problem. Only solution that I have heard was to change fluid every 15,000

[Hawgeye]

I have a 95' Tahoe with a 350 and presently have 60,000 miles on the truck. So far, the truck has been solid as a rock..."thump, thump, thump as I knock on the preverbial wood". I love this truck and will run it until the wheels fall off. It is hard to tell the Pro-V is even back there and I Get about the same mileage towing as I do without the boat. Of course, I drive a little more carefully and more slowly while towing. I never pull the boat over about 68MPH.

[Bayside]

I own a 1993 I just had the tranny rebuilt, I had 182,000 on the original, the tranny shop said it didn't even need to be rebuilt! I haul a 20 glass boat, there is a tranny cooler on my truck I am not not sure if it was standard or an option. I never use O.D. and try not exceed 67 mph on the highway when hauling the boat and get the fluid changed every 25,000 miles. You may just have a bad tranny, maybe try buying a rebuilt and trading yours in rather than having it rebuilt. Good Luck!

[Wauger-eye]

Thanks guys for all the info you shared.

Truck went in day before yesterday for repairs. My transmission guy really knows his stuff so hopefully I will get closer to that 100,000 mile mark this time. Hope to be back on the water soon!!

Thanks again,

Wauger-eye

[water_wolf]

You will be pleasantly surprised the longevity of your tranny by installing a tranny cooler. Always put 1 in my trucks. They are cheap and easy to do and save your transmission bigtime

Rich Ferguson

[Gumbo]

Synthetic trany fluid would be a good idea too.