TM

MAY 2018

CVR-0518_v3.indd 2 5/1/2018 07:41:36

 REBUILD A VALVE BODY YOURSELF
OR LET SONNAX DO IT FOR YOU
EITHER WAY, YOU’RE TEAMED UP
WITH THE WORLD’S TRANSMISSION EXPERTS

AW55-51SN, AF 23/33 & RE5F22A

REMANUFACTURED 100% Tested, Early & Late-Style Valve Bodies

Feature Sonnax Parts & Include Limited Lifetime Warranty
VALVE BODIES
NO REAMING REQUIRED! The Fast, Easy Way
ZIP KIT ® to Improve Shift Performance in Low-Mileage Units

VALVE BODY Great for Individual Valve & Solenoid Repairs,

Including Oversized Options for Restoring High-Mileage Units
COMPONENTS

Find Parts, Tools & Remanufactured Valve Bodies at www.sonnax.com

Visit www.sonnax.com for details. • 800-843-2600 • 802-463-9722

Ads_May2018.indd 500 4/27/2018 08:56:19

 GEARS FOR THE TRANSMISSION REBUILDING INDUSTRY

MAY 2018
PHONE (805) 604-2000
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Publisher Dennis Madden

Managing Editor Rodger Bland
Technical Director Lance Wiggins
Advertising Ruben Vera Are More Gears the Answer to STREET SMART: Attitude Is Everything at
Improve MPG? Toyota/Lexus U880E: Mister Transmission
Senior Designer Jeanette Troub Page 4 Beyond the Valve Body, Part 2 Page 36
Graphic Artist Aurelio Peña Page 12

Contributing Editors: Steve Bodofsky

Sean Boyle Jim Cathcart
Scott Shotton Thom Tschetter
SPECIAL INTEREST & TECHNICAL
ATRA Technical Staff: 4 Are More Gears the Answer to Improve MPG?
Rolando (Rolly) Alvarez Bill Brayton — by Sean Boyle
Mike Brown Keith Clark
Rob Faucett Pete Huscher 12 STREET SMART: Toyota/Lexus U880E:
Darwin Upton Shaun Velasquez Beyond the Valve Body, Part 2
Jarad Warren — Mike Brown
Director of Event Services Vanessa Velasquez 20 DELIVERING THE GOODS:
All Wheel Drive Systems: A New Twist
The views expressed in this publication should not necessarily be interpreted
as the official policy of the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association (ATRA).
— by Keith Clark
Publication of product information or any advertising does not imply recommenda-
tion by ATRA.
24 IN FRONT OF THE FLYWHEEL: Pressure and Vacuum Diagnosis,
GEARS , a publication of ATRA, 2400 Latigo Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93030, Part II: Cranking Vacuum
is published for the betterment of the transmission industry and is distributed — by Scott Shotton
ten times per year. No part of this issue may be reproduced without prior written
permission of the publisher. GEARS is distributed to members of the transmis- 28 HEAVY METAL: 2013 Santa Fe Loses All Power,
sion industry in the United States, Canada, ATRA Members in Mexico & Europe,
and related automotive industry firms and individually. Send changes of address Won’t Shift Due to Faulty Brake Light Switch
to GEARS in care of ATRA. Subscriptions are available by contacting GEARS in — by Rolly Alvarez
care of ATRA.
Advertisers and advertising agencies assume full liability for all content of adver- 30 UP YOUR BUSINESS: Seek Wisdom in Dispute Resolution
tisements printed and also assume full responsibility for any claims arising there- — by Thom Tschetter
from against the publisher. The publisher reserves the unqualified right to reject any
advertising copy as it deems appropriate, with or without cause. 34 SUCCESS STRATEGIES: Vital Questions for Leaders
GEARS is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard — by Jim Cathcart
to the subject matter covered. It is distributed with the understanding the publisher
is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional service. If legal 36 Attitude Is Everything at Mister Transmission
advice or other expert assistance, is required, the services of a competent profes-
sional person should be sought from a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted
— by Steve Bodofsky
by a Committee of the American Bar Association and Committee of Publishers.
40 SHOP PROFILE: Quality Transmission and Alignment:
GEARS also welcomes articles submitted by members of the industry. GEARS
considers all articles for publication that contribute positively to the welfare of the Remaining Successful in Small-Town USA
transmission industry, and reserves the right to edit all articles it publishes. If you — by Steve Bodofsky
would like to submit an article to GEARS, include background information about
the author and a telephone number where he/she may be reached. If you want 44 ATRA'S POWERTRAIN EXPO 2018 - Registration and Schedule
submissions returned, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Editorial and Business Offices

DEPARTMENTS
2400 Latigo Avenue,
Oxnard CA 93030
Phone (805) 604-2000
Fax (805) 604-2006
www.gearsmagazine.com 2 FROM THE CEO: Wait a Second…
www.atra.com
I’ve Changed My Mind!
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to GEARS, P.O. Box 16118, — by Dennis Madden
North Hollywood, CA 91615-6118 Featured on the cover:
Publications Mail Agreement No. 40031403
Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: 48 POWERTRAIN INDUSTRY NEWS Quality Transmission and
Station A, PO Box 54, Windsor, ON N9A 6J5 Alignment: Remaining Successful
Email: gears@atra.com 51 SHOPPERS AND CLASSIFIED in Small-Town USA
Read their story on Page 40
Issue #224 Printed in U.S.A. Copyright ATRA 2018 56 LIST OF ADVERTISERS

1TOC-0518.indd 2 4/30/18 8:11 AM

 FROM THE CEO
M
uch of our waking moments
are spent with exchanging
ideas with others. And much
of that is trying to convince people of
the merits of our thinking. That is, to
try to convince them that we have a
better plan. Depending on how vested
a person is in their ideas, it might even
lead to a heated argument.
Working with employees, chatting
with friends, or having those talks with
your “better half” all include the art
of convincing others. Nowhere is this
truer than when we get into political
discussions, which is why most of us
try to avoid those discussions during
family get-togethers.
You see, everyone thinks their
ideas are the best, right? I mean
really, when was the last time you
heard someone say, “I generally don’t
have any good ideas and I wouldn’t
recommend that anyone listen to my
suggestions”? Or, “Can you tell me
the right way to think about this? My
ideas don’t even make sense to me!”
You haven’t heard that, have you? And,
chances are, you never will.
And yet dumb ideas are all around
us. You get on Facebook and read
where some knothead blathers on
about the stupidest concept imaginable
and wonder how he manages to make
it through the day in one piece.
We all think our ideas are pretty
good. If we didn’t, they wouldn’t be
our ideas. But as much as we like to
think we have things figured out and
are ready for a vigorous debate, there’s
one place that it doesn’t belong: with
customers.
I’ve had discussions with a few
people recently who had concerns over
the changing market and how they’re
losing work to competitors down the
street or even across town. What’s
2 GEARS May 2018
1frmceo 518.indd 2
interesting is that they were able to
describe very clearly the business
model of their competitor and even
express why their potential customer
left their shop for their competition.
As they shared one anecdote
after another, they began to describe
a business model that seemed pretty
successful: People were leaving one
business to come to theirs. Yet, after
a fairly lengthy conversation, their
conclusions sounded something like
this: “I need a way to convince people
why my solution is better than my
competitors’.”
Take a moment and let that sink
in. Here’s a customer who has plenty
of information available (both good
and bad) and, after going into shop A,
they realize that shop A doesn’t offer
what they want, so they go to shop B.
You can take this process and move
it to buying a television or washing
machine or even something boring like
tires or a roof on your house and it’d
be easy to follow that same process of
shopping for what you want.
It also begs the question: Is it
easier for you to change your mind or
for you to change the customer’s mind?
That’s easy: You only have to change
your mind once.
So what is it, exactly, that custom-
ers want and how can you better tailor
your solution to their needs? It’s an
important question… one that needs
a clear answer. Which is why ATRA
recently conducted another survey of
consumers to discover their thoughts
and views related to transmission repair.
The results may surprise you: We’ll
be sharing those results at this year’s
ATRA Powertrain Expo in Las Vegas.
We’ve also surveyed shops across
the country so we can get a better feel
for what successful shops are doing,
by Dennis Madden
members.atra.com
and compare it to how shops have
adjusted their business model since
the beginning of the What’s Working
program. It’s sure be a great session
and we look forward to seeing you
there and getting your input on our
results.
Now this doesn’t mean that you
need (or should) compromise on your
quality or be the cheapest shop in town
just to keep a customer. It just means
there’s more to meeting the needs of
today’s customer than you may realize.
It may just be a matter of reevalu-
ating what you think is important to
customers, and redesigning your busi-
ness model around what they’re really
looking for. Sounds complicated, but
those differences could be as simple as
who has the cleanest restrooms!
One last thought: If you’ve ever
changed your mind, then you’ve just
admitted that at one point in your
thought process you were wrong.
That’s the first step in learning
something new. See you at the show!
4/27/2018 08:27:52
Ads_May2018.indd 3 4/27/2018 08:56:05

I
n case you haven’t noticed, many
automotive manufacturers now
offer transmissions with eight
to ten different gear ratios. This has
been a major change in the past decade
where four-, five-, and six-speed
transmissions dominated the market.
The additional transmission gearing
is mainly due to the increased demand
for fuel economy, where the automotive
manufacturers are challenged to achieve
a corporate average fuel economy
(CAFE) of 54.5 mpg by 2025.
Just for reference, the combined
CAFE rating in 2011 was 24.1 mpg.
The 54.5 mpg requirement seems
like a lofty goal, but it isn’t a hard-set
number. There’s an advanced formula
for calculating CAFE for 2012 through
2025 vehicles, which involves the
vehicles’ actual fuel economy and their
“footprint,” or size.
Nevertheless, this fuel economy re-
quirement has automotive manufacturers
scrambling to design transmissions that
can place the engine at the most efficient
speed for maximum fuel economy.
This is in addition to the other
trends we’re seeing in the industry,
such as plug-in hybrids, electric ve-
hicles, turbocharged engines, gasoline
direct injection, variable compression
4 GEARS May 2018
1SeanBoyle 0518 v2.indd 4
(Nissan), and even compression-igni-
tion gasoline engines (Mazda).
To improve efficiency through the
transmission, automotive manufacturers
are using continuously variable trans-
missions, dual clutch transmissions,
and transmissions with many available
gear ratios. With these transmis-
sions, the torque converter clutch
can engage at lower speeds so energy
isn’t wasted through needless heat
generation in the torque converter.
But how much have the increased
gearing and shift strategies affected
today’s vehicles’ overall fuel
economy? And how has the increased
gearing affected the reliability and
stress of the internal transmission
components? I’ve been curious about
these questions ever since Lexus
offered the first production eight-speed
in the 2007 LS460.
One thing to consider is that
the source of information for this
article isn’t very scientific. I used the
published data from fueleconomy.gov
to determine the fuel economy changes
when comparing models with different
transmission options.
I tried to pick vehicles that
simply had a transmission change,
but most manufacturers release new
by Sean Boyle
Southern Illinois University
powertrains with new model launches.
So, even though every example has the
same displacement engine, there’s no
guarantee that the rest of the vehicle
hasn’t changed to affect the fuel
economy significantly.
As far as reliability, it’s difficult to
forecast the failure rate of a transmis-
sion based on the number of gears and
how often the clutches, solenoids, and
valves cycle on and off. But I looked
at the clutch and solenoid activity
between the lower-speed and high-
er-speed transmissions. Maybe this
information will provide an outlook
to how much the additional transmis-
sion shifting and hydraulic actuation
will have on the wear and tear of the
internal transmission components.
First, let’s look at Fiat Chrysler
Automobile’s (FCA) six-speed RFE
transmission compared to the ZF
eight-speed.
FCA started to phase out the
65RFE, found in the half-ton RAM
truck in 2014, in favor of the ZF8HP70.
Incidentally, ZF makes up about 50%
of FCA’s entire transmission lineup in
model year 2017. They’ve placed over
3.5 million ZF transmissions on the
road since 2013!
4/27/2018 08:36:48
 When reviewing the fuel economy
increases in table 1, a modest one
mpg in the city and two mpg on the
highway doesn’t sound like much,
but since the vehicle doesn’t get the
greatest fuel economy to begin with,
the improvements are seven and nine
percent, respectively.
When comparing the 65RFE to
the ZF8HP, the clutch element cycling
increased 29%, which is expected,
given the additional gears. Clutch
Table 1: Fuel Economy Changes Ram
Manufacturer Model
Ram 1500
element cycling is simply the number its five clutches 14 times for a cycle
of times the clutches shifted from ratio of 2.8. Tables 2 and 3 show the
released to applied or from applied to range reference charts for the two
released, while upshifting from first transmissions.
gear to high gear. Regarding electronic and
The number of clutch cycles is hydraulic activity, we can take a
divided by the number of clutches in similar approach by looking at the
the transmission. So, in the case of solenoid activity and how often the
the six-speed, there are five clutches electronics and valves are shuttled on
that cycled a total of ten times, for to off and vise-versa.
a clutch-cycling ratio of 2.0. The As shown on tables 4 and 5, since
ZF eight-speed transmission cycled both the FCA and ZF transmissions
use solenoids that control clutches,
the solenoid activity is the same as
the clutch cycling ratio. The only
Transmission City MPG Hwy MPG
exception to this is that the L/R
solenoid on the 65RFE is also used
65RFE 14 20 to apply the torque converter clutch
ZF8HP 15 22 in second through sixth gears. This
activity isn’t factored into the solenoid-
Percent change: 7% 9%
cycling ratio.

Table 2: 65RFE Clutch Application Table 3: ZF8HP Clutch Application

Gear UD OD 4C 2C L/R Rev Gear Brake A Clutch D Brake B Clutch E Clutch C
P/N A A
P/N A A
R A A A
R A A
1st A A A
1st A A 2nd A A A
2nd A A 3rd A A A

3rd A A 4th A A A
5th A A A
4th A
6th A A A
5th A
7th A A A
6th A A 8th A A A

Table 4: 65RFE Solenoid Application Table 5: ZF8HP Solenoid Application

Gear UD OD 4C 2C L/R Gear Brake A Clutch D Brake B Clutch E Clutch C
EDS1 EDS4 EDS2 EDS5 EDS3
P/N A
P/N A A A A A
R
R A A A A
1st A 1st A A A A

2nd A 2nd A A A A
3rd A A
3rd A
4th A A
4th
5th A A
5th A A 6th
7th A A
6th A A A
8th A A
Sol Hyd NH NL NL NL NL
Sol Hyd NL NH NL NH NH
NH indicates normally high, meaning when the solenoid is in its NH indicates normally high, meaning when the solenoid is in its normal, or off state,
normal, or off state, the solenoid passes pressure. the solenoid passes pressure.

GEARS May 2018 5

1SeanBoyle 0518 v2.indd 5 4/27/2018 08:36:51

 Are More Gears the Answer to Improve MPG?

The Toyota Highlander Table 6: Fuel Economy Changes Toyota

has seen an upgrade from the
tried-and-true U660E six-speed Manufacturer Model Transmission City MPG Hwy MPG
transaxle to the new UA80E
Toyota Highlander U660E 19 25
eight-speed transaxle. They
call this transaxle a direct shift UA80E 20 27
transmission; don’t confuse that
Percent change: 5% 8%
with a dual clutch-type transmis-
sion, such as the one found in VW
vehicles, which is also called a
Table 7: U660E Clutch Application
direct shift gearbox (DSG).
A comparison of the fuel Gear C1 C2 B1 B2 B3 Sprag
economy, shown on table 6, isn’t
likely fair. Even though both P/N
vehicles have a 3.5L V-6 engine, R A A
the 2017 eight-speed equipped
engine has slightly higher com- 1st A Holding
pression ratio, direct injection, and 2nd A A
advanced variable valve timing
(VVT-iW). The VVT-iW allows 3rd A A
up to 75 degrees of intake valve 4th A A
retard, which lets the engine mim-
ic the Atkinson’s Cycle, allowing 5th A A
the intake valve to remain open 6th A A
longer to increase efficiency.
As you can see in table 6, the Sol Control SL1 SL2 SL3 SL4
fuel economy has improved slightly. Solenoids are proportional. When energized they apply the clutches
A review of the range
reference charts (table 7 and 8) for
these two transaxles shows that Table 8: UA80E Clutch Application
the clutch cycling for the U660E is
Gear C1 C2 C3 C4 B1 B2 Sprag
2.25 clutch cycles across the four
clutches while upshifting from P/N
first to sixth gear.
R A A
The UA80E has 2.6 clutch
cycles across the five clutches 1st A Holding
when upshifting from first to
2nd A A
eighth gear, which is about
13% more active than the six- 3rd A A
speed. Like the previous Ram
4th A A
truck example, the solenoids are
responsible for applying clutch 5th A A
pressure, so the solenoid cycling
6th A A
increased the same amount.
Honda has explored different 7th A A
transmission options across
8th A A
the past few years. The Honda
Odyssey has a six-, nine-, and ten- Sol control SL1 SL2 SL3 SL4 SL5 SL6
speed available for the 2018 model
year. They’re all found behind the
3.5L V-6 engine and surprisingly Table 9: Fuel Economy Changes Honda
there’s hardly an improvement in
fuel economy between the three. Manufacturer Model Transmission City MPG Hwy MPG
As you can see in table 9, the Honda Odyssey 4-shaft 6-speed 19 27
city fuel economy didn’t change at
all from the six-speed to the nine- ZF9HP 19 28
and 10-speed, and there’s only Honda 10-speed 19 28
a 4% improvement on highway
MPG. Percent change: 0% 4%

6 GEARS May 2018

1SeanBoyle 0518 v2.indd 6 4/27/2018 08:36:55

 To All Who Have Served,
We Thank You.

In honor of Memorial Day, Gearspeed will donate a portion of all

May 2018 Sales to The Wounded Warrior Project.

Clean Cut Cases - Overhaul Kits - Pressure Switches - Gears - Sprags

Torque Converters - LSD’s - Drums - Final Drives - Valve Bodies - Custom Parts
& So much more!
909-476-7252 www.Gearspeed.com
Ads_May2018.indd 7 4/27/2018 08:56:08
 Are More Gears the Answer to Improve MPG?

These three transmissions

operate completely differently
from each other. The Honda six-
speed is the traditional Honda
design with helical mesh gears
and clutch assemblies that lock
the speed gears to their respective
shafts. The ZF9HP is a planetary
gearset type transmission that
has two dog-clutch mechanisms
that allow the transmission to stay
relatively small, yet offer nine
speeds.
The new Honda 10-speed
has four planetary gearsets. Yes,
you read that correctly. Honda
built their own transmission with
planetary gearsets, which is a
big step considering the only
transmission built with a planetary
gearset in the past was their
CVT, and it was only for reverse
operation. Look for articles on this
unit in the coming months.
The Honda 6-speed looks
massive when sitting next to its
10-speed replacement (figure 1).
Figure 1 Just in size and weight alone,
one would expect fuel economy
improvement. The six-speed’s
hydraulics have been dramatically
simplified when compared to the
five-speeds that are common in
transmission shops, such as the
BAYA.
The six-speed uses three
clutch pressure control (CPC)
solenoids to apply hydraulic
pressure to each gear’s clutch. The
only gear that doesn’t actively shift
is the first clutch, since it receives
line pressure from the manual
valve and can stay applied because
of a one-way sprag.
As you can see on table
10, the three solenoids operate
the remaining five clutches and
gears with shift solenoids A and
B shuttling shift valves to allow
CPC A to either control the 2nd or
5th clutch, and CPC B to control
the 3rd or 6th clutch. The clutch
cycling is 1.67 and the linear
(CPC) solenoid-cycling rate is 1.5.
The ZF9HP is basically
the same unit as the ones used
in various Jeep, Chrysler, and
Figure 2 Land Rover vehicles. Following

8 GEARS May 2018

1SeanBoyle 0518 v2.indd 8 4/27/2018 08:37:02

 the trend with most modern Table 10: Honda 6-speed Solenoid Firing
electronics, it also uses solenoids
Gear CPC A CPC B CPC C SS A SS B
that control pressure to their
respective clutches, as shown on P/N A
table 11. R
The ZF9HP cycles its clutches
1st A A
and solenoids 2.67 times when
shifting between first and ninth 2nd A A A
gear. The clutches are 37% more 3rd A A
active and the solenoids are 44% 4th A
more active than the six-speed.
The Honda 10-speed has 5th A
15 solenoids in the transmission 6th A
(figure 2). Clutch pressure control
CPC solenoids are proportional and apply pressure to the clutches when energized. SS A and B shuttle shift
(CPC) solenoids B through G valves, so CPC A and B can apply two different clutches. 1st clutch is always applied through a sprag assembly
control pressure to specific
clutches as you can see in table 12.
This transmission also has Table 11: ZF9HP 9-Speed Clutch Application
a two-way clutch that’s actuated Gear C (brake) D (brake) B (clutch) E (clutch) F (dog) A (dog)
by shift solenoids A and B. The
P/N A
two-way clutch is a mechanical
ratchet-type clutch that uses a R A A A
lever to lock the clutch from 1st A A A
rotating in either direction, or just
2nd A A A
one direction.
Like many of the previous 3rd A A A
units described, the solenoids 4th A A A
are assigned to specific clutches,
5th A A A
so their cycling rates are the
same as the clutches, which 6th A A A
average 2.83 cycles when shifting 7th A A A
between low and high gear. This
8th A A A
accounts for a clutch and solenoid
cycling increase of 41% and 47% 9th A A A
respectively. Not bad, considering Sol SSC SSD SSB SSE SSF SSA
the 10-speed has 67% more gear
Solenoids are proportional. When energized they apply the clutches
ratios than the six-speed!

Table 12: Honda 10-Speed Clutch Application

Gear C1 C2 C3 B1 B2 B3 Two way clutch
R A A A
1st A A A
2nd A A A
3rd A A A
4th A A A
5th A A A
6th A A A
7th A A A
8th A A A
9th A A
10th A A A
Sol Control CPCD CPCC CPCB CPCG CPCF CPCE SS A and B

Solenoids are proportional. When energized they apply the clutches

GEARS May 2018 9

1SeanBoyle 0518 v2.indd 9 4/27/2018 08:37:06

 Are More Gears the Answer to Improve MPG?

Ford and GM broke barriers once to show how difficult and expensive it to see what comes out in the next
again and came together to design a is to squeeze out an additional mile or seven years as the quest to high fuel
10-speed transmission. For the F150, two per gallon. economy continues.
the 10-speed replaced the ZF6HP and It also shows the enormous task to
represents modest-to-no fuel economy achieve the 54.5 CAFE requirements
change as shown in table 13. of 2025. It’s going to be interesting
Ford’s application of the ZF trans-
mission uses five clutches and four so-
lenoids to provide six forward speeds.
The solenoid cycling is higher than the
clutch cycling, because ZF uses the
VFS4 solenoid to operate both clutch
E and brake D. From low gear to high
gear, the clutch cycling is 2.0 and the
solenoid cycling is 2.5. Table 14 shows
the clutch and solenoid application.
The new 10-speed uses six
hydraulic clutches and a mechanical
one-way clutch. The solenoids and
clutches cycle an average of 2.83 times
when shifting from low to high gear.
As shown in table 15, the shift
solenoids A through F are proportional
Figure 3
and control their respective clutches.
Even though the 10-speed has 40%
more gear ratios available than the Table 13: Fuel Economy Changes Ford
six-speed, the clutch activity only Manufacturer Model Engine Transmission City MPG Hwy MPG
increased by 29% and the solenoid Ford F150 5.0L 6R80 14 19
activity only increased by 12%.
Without a doubt, performance 5.0L 10R80 15 19
and marketing also play a role in the 3.5L 6R60 17 24
movement to higher-speed transmis- 3.5L 10R80 18 25
sions, but after reviewing these modest
Percent change: 6-7% 0-4%
fuel economy improvements, it goes

Table 14: Ford F150 ZF6R80 6-Speed Table 15: Ford 10-speed
Clutch-and-Solenoid Application Clutch and Solenoid Application

Gear Clutch A Clutch B Clutch E Brake C Brake D Gear A B C D E F Low one-way

P/N A A A
P/N A
R A A A A
R A A 1st A A A A

1st A A <3MPH 2nd A A A A

3rd A A A A
2nd A A
4th A A A A
3rd A A 5th A A A A
6th A A A A
4th A A
7th A A A A
5th A A
8th A A A A

6th A A 9th A A A A
10th A A A A
SOL VFS1 -NL VFS2-NH VFS4-NH VFS3-NL VFS4-NH
Sol Control SSA SSB SSC SSD SSE SSF
Variable force solenoids (VFS) are either normally low (NL) and don’t pass
pressure when electrically off, or they’re normally high (NH), and they pass Solenoids control the clutches and are proportional or NL. When energized,
full pressure when electrically off. they pass pressure to apply the clutches.

10 GEARS May 2018

1SeanBoyle 0518 v2.indd 10 4/27/2018 08:37:11

 GET THE JOB DONE
IN A
FLASH
Time is money. The longer you wait for a mobile programmer
to get to your shop, the less you’re making on the job.
Flash vehicles yourself with Transtar’s Remote Assisted Programming (RAP) Kit!
No additional tools, training, software or expensive subscriptions required.

THE RAP KIT IS ABSOLUTELY FREE!

EVERYTHING YOU NEED IS RIGHT IN THE BOX.
PLUG IT IN, MAKE A PHONE CALL AND WE DO THE REST!
EACH PROGRAMMING EVENT IS $125

To register for your FREE RAP Kit and view

a complete list of available applications, visit
Transtar1.com/rap-info.
Powered by:

Ads_May2018.indd
RAP Kit AD Smokey11Orange Car 0717.indd 1 4/27/2018
7/21/1708:56:09
4:39 PM
 STREET SMART
1–10 Rings
W
elcome back for part 2 of
beyond the valve body for
the U880E. In the January/
February issue, we disassembled this
unit down to the C-1 clutch.
One piece of information that I left
out was servo identification and servo
travel. It’s important to be aware of
what the servo travel should be (figures
1A, 1B & 1C). Using a caliper gauge,
measure the Travel of the B-1 brake
piston rod while applying compressed
air (30-55 psi). Standard Travel: 5.5 to
6.0 mm (0.217 to 0.236 in.). If the Travel
12 GEARS May 2018
1MikeBrown518.indd 12
Figure 1A
Mark (Rings)
None
is not as specified, select an appropriate
B-1 brake piston rod so that the Travel
will be within the specified range from
chart. If servo travel isn’t correct, select
a pin from the chart to adjust it properly.
So let’s pick up from there. At this
point, we can remove the counterdriven
gear by just lifting it from the transaxle.
The same is true with the differential
case assembly; you can lift it from the
transaxle (figure 2). This will expose
all six bolts you’ll need to remove so
you can remove the front planetary gear
subassembly from the case.
by Mike Brown
members.atra.com
B1 Brake Piston Rod Length
Length mm (in)
102.8 (4.05”)
1 103.05 (4.06”)
2 103.3 (4.07”)
3 103.55 (4.08”)
4 103.8 (4.09”)
5 104.05 (4.10”)
6 104.3 (4.11”)
7 104.55 (4.12”)
8 104.8 (4.13”)
9 105.05 (4.14”)
10 105.3 (4.15”)
Figure 1B
5/1/18 12:21 PM
 Figure 1C

e Counter Driven
Gear

*
Output
Sensor
* Spacer

Differential Case Assembly

Figure 2

1. With the front planetary removed from the transaxle, this is a good
time to remove the output sensor to prevent damaging it. Notice
the location of the spacer (figure 3). Figure 3
2. Lift the sun gear from the rear planetary and set it aside.
3. Remove the snap ring that holds the one-way clutch assembly and
rear planetary gear assembly in the transaxle. This will lift right out (figure 4).

With the front planetary removed from the transaxle, this is

a good time to remove the output sensor to prevent damaging it.
Notice the location of the spacer (Figure 3)
GEARS May 2018 13

1MikeBrown518.indd 13 4/30/18 8:12 AM

 Toyota/Lexus U880E: Beyond the Valve Body, Part 2

4.
With the planetary and
one-way clutch removed,
notice the hold and rotation
directions for the one-way
clutch. (Figure 4B)
Snapring
5.
Remove the B-2 brake.
Figure 5 shows what the
clutch clearance should
be, and includes a
chart of the flanges that
are available to get the
clearance right.

Remove the snap ring

that holds the one-way
clutch assembly and rear
planetary gear assembly
in the transaxle. This will
lift right out Figure 4A

Figure 4B Figure 5

14 GEARS May 2018

1MikeBrown518.indd 14 4/30/18 8:12 AM

 If You’re Replacing Parts Or Looking
For Performance , WIT Has A Winning
Combination Of Quality and Availability
For All Your Performance Parts Needs!

Ask your Sales Associate

about these Performance WIT # A22907HPK
Parts and much more! Dodge Billet Combo Kit
Dual Ring Servo & Accumulator
Piston With Heavy Duty Band
WIT # A22670BBHPK Lever, Strut And Anchor
Dodge Input Shaft & Hub (Lock-Up)
(2 Piece Design) Made From
Maraging Steel and Heat Treated
Billet Steel With Increased Splines
For 25% More Surface Contact

WIT # A22137EPPK
Dodge Friction & Steel Module
Contains Eagle Red And WIT # 22002EFHP
Kolene Power Pack WIT # S22965A Dodge Overhaul Kit
Dodge Direct Clutch Piston TTK MAXX
(Reinforced With Additional Webbing) High Performance

800-940-0197 www.wittrans.com
Ads_May2018.indd 15 1/5/2018
4/27/2018
10:15:43
08:56:10
AM
 Toyota/Lexus U880E: Beyond the Valve Body, Part 2

Snap Ring

Balance Piston

C2 Clutch Flange Thickness

Part Number Thickness
Return 35675-48010 2.5mm (0.0984”)
Springs
35675-48020 2.6mm (0.102”)
35675-48030 2.7mm (0.106”)
Apply 35675-48040 2.8mm (0.110”)
Piston 35675-48090 2.85mm (0.112”)
35675-48050 2.9mm (0.114”)
35675-48100 2.95mm (0.116”)
35675-48060 3.0mm (0.118”)
35675-48110 3.05mm (0.120”)
35675-48070 3.1mm (0.122”)
35675-48080 3.2mm (0.126”)

Figure 6A

6. Lift the C-2 clutch assembly from

the transaxle.
7. Figure 6 is an exploded view of the
C-2 clutch and clutch clearance
with a chart on the flanges that are
available to get the right clutch
clearance.
8. Now for the B-2 brake piston Snap ring opening needs
removal. This is one place we to be placed here
recommend using the special
service tool. It’s important to put
the snap ring in properly; failing
to do so could damage the return
springs.
Toyota’s part number for this tool
is SST 09950-70010. You can also look
through the GEARS buyer’s guide for
suppliers.
The B-2 brake clutch return springs
and piston are held in place by the snap
ring (figure 7). You must install the
snap ring with the opening facing the
case walls; not the tooth gaps. This will
make sure the snap ring holds its place
in the case.

Figure 7

16 GEARS May 2018

1MikeBrown518.indd 16 4/30/18 8:12 AM

Ads_May2018.indd 17 4/27/2018 08:56:11
 Toyota/Lexus U880E: Beyond the Valve Body, Part 2

Well, that covers the internals of With Techstream ECM Reset

this unit. With this information, you
should be ahead of the game and on
your way to a successful rebuild. But
there are still a couple things you need
to do.
Transmission Fluid
Fill
One of the biggest problems with
this unit appears when someone doesn’t
use the right type of transmission fluid.
This transaxle requires genuine ATF
WS transmission fluid.
1. Remove the refill plug and
overflow plug.
2. Fill the transaxle through the refill
hole until fluid begins to trickle
out of the overflow tube.
3. Temporarily install the overflow
plug.
4. Allow the engine to idle with the
air conditioning off.
5. Move the shift lever through entire
gear range to circulate the fluid.
6. Recheck fluid.
1. Connect Techstream to the DLC3. You must reset the ECM adapts
2. Turn the tester on. before driving the vehicle after
3. Enter the following menus: installation, using an OE or approved
Powertrain / ECT / Data List. scan tool. Failure to do so can result in
4. Check A/T Oil Temperature 1. slipping or binding shifts and failure of
5. Allow the engine to idle until the the transmission after only a short road
fluid temperature reaches 39ºC test.
(102ºF). 1. Verify that computer has latest
software calibrations.
Without the 2. Clear codes
Techstream 3. Reset adaptive learn
(Using D Shift 4. Rescan after road test and make
Indicator) sure no codes have come back.
1. Connect terminals 4 and 13 in the That’s it for going beyond the valve
DLC3. body. And that’s not just smart… that’s
2. Move the shift lever back and street smart!
forth between N and D at 1.5
second intervals for 6 seconds.
3. The D shift indicator on the
combination meter comes on for 2
seconds when the fluid temperature
is within the appropriate range.
4. Add fluid until it comes out the
overflow plug. Wait until the
overflow slows to a trickle.
5. Install the overflow and refill
plugs using new gaskets.

IMPORT 235

U880
Service Information (continued)

Allow the engine to idle with the air conditioning OFF. Move the shift lever through entire gear range to
circulate the fluid.
With Techstream:
a. Connect Techstream to the DLC3.
b. Turn the tester on.
c. Enter the following menus: "Powertrain / ECT / Data List".
d. Check A/T Oil Temperature 1.
e. Allow the engine to idle until the fluid temperature reaches 39°C (102°F).

Without the Techstream (Using D shift indicator):

a. Connect terminals CG (4) and TC (13) of the DLC3 using SST. SST 0984318040 (or equivalent)
b. Move the shift lever back and forth between N and D at 1.5 seconds interval for 6 seconds.
c. The D shift indicator on the combination meter comes on for 2 seconds when the fluid temperature is within
the appropriate temperature range.
d. Add fluid until it comes out the overflow plug, wait until the overflow slows to a trickle.
e. Install the overflow plug and refill plug with a new gasket.

DLC3

DLC3
Figure 8

18 GEARS May 2018

1MikeBrown518.indd 18 4/30/18 8:12 AM

Ads_May2018.indd 19 4/27/2018 08:56:12
STP_FB_Servos_Ad_17_PRINT.indd 1 3/20/2017 2:55:40 PM
 DELIVERING THE GOODS
W
hen we mention the terms
all wheel drive (AWD) and
four-wheel drive (4WD), you
might immediately think of a truck
or SUV that’s capable of sure-footed
traction in poor driving conditions.
When we mention cars that have this
capability, we think of Subaru, Audi,
or maybe Mercedes.
In all cases, we envision a vehicle
that’s more expensive, utilitarian, or
comfortable, rather than nimble and
exciting. There’s also an expectation
of compromised fuel economy due
20 GEARS May 2018
1keith 0518.indd 20
to added components. But thanks to
technology, the image of 4WD and
AWD has changed.
Light duty AWD systems have
introduced the advantages of traction
and control to another class of vehicles.
Small SUVs, compact cars, and sports
cars are taking advantage of these
new, lighter drivetrain components to
give consumers more choices and new
driving experiences.
All major US auto manufactur-
ers have light-duty AWD vehicles in
their lineup now, and the number of
Figure 1
by Keith Clark
members.atra.com
models is on the rise. Armed with
this information, we need to know
more about this technology and what
makes it work, as well as service tech-
niques, projected issues, and diagnostic
procedures.
First, it’s fair to suggest that this
technology has been with us, lurking
in the background under the skin of
the most expensive super cars and
luxury vehicles. Though state of the
art, they all lacked practical application
that could be replicated in a more
affordable package until now.
4/27/2018 08:38:42

Fast forward to the present, in-
expensive high-speed computers and
CAN bus networking can seamlessly
micro-manage all-wheel drive systems
to provide a unique driving experience at
a reasonable price. Let’s take a closer
look at what’s available now.
A company called GKN is taking
the automotive world by storm with
an integral AWD system, managed by
its own control module that can easily
be incorporated into a powertrain control
system. Ford, General Motors, and
Range Rover are a few companies that
presently have models that use this system.
The package offers different con-
figurations that allow manufacturers to
tailor their systems to meet their speci-
fications for fuel management, traction,
performance, and cost.
The computer control system
was designed to be CAN friendly, so
pairing with existing stability, traction
control, and ABS systems takes just a
meeting of the minds on the software
level. The rest is fitting the drivetrain
hardware beneath the vehicle and
plumbing the wiring looms.
The GKN system offers two levels
of driveline coupling control. One level
GEARS May 2018 21
1keith 0518.indd 21
Figure 2
offers a direct drive PTU transfer case
with a fulltime, live, rear drive axle.
The rear differential coupling clutch-
controlled system acts directly on each
axle, eliminating the conventional
spider gear setup (figure 1). This allows
for minimal rolling resistance and a
fuel savings while in 2WD mode by
completely uncoupling the rear wheels.
The next level offers a coupling
clutch-controlled system at the PTU.
Adding this feature optimizes driveline
control to maximize fuel economy by
eliminating torque to the rear driveline
during 2WD operation. With choices
like these, the engineers are limited
only by their imaginations. The Ford
application is a noteworthy example.
The Ford engineers decided
to use the Focus as a technological
playground for this system. Under
the badge of Focus RS, the GKN
system couples to a 350 horsepower,
350 pound-foot torque engine, and a
manual shift gearbox.
It uses the basic PTU with the
Twinster rear end. Ford chose to use
an overdriven rear end. In other words,
the rear differential (full lock) ratio is
higher than the transaxle final drive
ratio. It is 1.8% higher! Sounds weird,
huh? Well they did this to produce
a driving sensation called torque
vectoring.
What is torque vectoring? Simply
put, it’s the process of counteracting
the adverse steering conditions called
understeer and oversteer. They achieve
this by directing torque to the wheels
that have the greatest traction and
limiting torque to the ones with less
traction, using the ABS brake system
or an overdriven rear differential.
The concept is simple: Suppose
you’re preparing to make a right turn.
The natural tendency of the vehicle is
to keep traveling in a straight line. The
inertia of the vehicle shifts the weight
of the vehicle to the left (figure 2), caus-
ing the wheels on the left to have greater
traction than the wheels on the right.
This creates an oversteer condition.
Applying the brakes to the right
wheels applies more traction to the left
wheels, which counteracts the oversteer.
If the system applies greater brake
pressure to the right rear wheel than
the right front, then the left rear wheel
can provide a “pushing” sensation to
neutralize this feeling of oversteer.
4/27/2018 08:38:46
 All Wheel Drive Systems: A New Twist

With the addition of the

Twinster coupling system, when
the vehicle goes into a turn, the
system can apply torque to the
outer rear wheel to “push” the car
into the turn. Since the rear ratio
is higher than the front, the system
can actively control the amount of
push, based on driving conditions
and sensor feedback.
FOCUS RS
The GNK controller uses
DRIVE MODES
data from wheel speed sensors,
inertia sensors, the steering angle NORMAL
sensor, and other drive input SPORT
related sensors to calculate how
TRACK
much torque to distribute to each
wheel. It has a sample rate of DRIFT
about 300 times per second. This
also decreases the need for using Figure 3
the brake system to create the
vectoring effect.
Torque vectoring also comes
into play on heavy acceleration.
In this state, the weight of the
vehicle shifts toward the rear,
causing the rear wheels to be less
likely to lose traction than the
front. By applying as much torque
as possible to the rear wheels, the
driver gets a sensation of being
pushed hard from behind while
retaining a feel of full directional
control.
The Focus RS system also has
some fun features added. The all
wheel drive controls are switchable
from 4WD (normal), Sport, Track
and Drift mode (figure 3). Each
stage provides more aggressive
handling characteristics.
Drift mode is totally new: Figure 4
Since the rear end ratio is higher
than the front, the Twinster coupling A fault would disable the system, Technology is constantly changing
system can increase the amount of returning the system to a typical, 2WD and adding more conveniences and
torque delivered to the rear wheels, manual shift Focus with too much driveability aids. To accommodate
causing a controlled wheel spin in a horsepower. If one or both Twinster those changes, you need to become
turn, called drifting. The computer coupling clutches were to fail (clutches familiar with these systems so that you
recognizes when the driver intends to welded on), it would create a bind that can diagnose and repair them correctly.
induce a drift condition. This mode is would render the vehicle undriveable. Knowing what looks and feels good
for off-road driving only. As far as statistics and reality is the beginning. I encourage you
So this is all wheel drive the likes are concerned, this vehicle remains to visit your local dealerships to
of which we aren’t used to. This is reasonably limber at a curb weight experience this cutting-edge technology
all wheel drive on steroids! Knowing of 3470 pounds; about 500 pounds for yourselves.
what good looks and feels like is very heavier than the base model. Servicing
important for diagnosing this system the rear differential and PTU units will
properly. A customer complaint would prove challenging due to limited space
most likely be very vague based on the (figure 4). Any repairs needed on the
“feel factor” that’s present with this rear differential require you to drop the
system. entire rear suspension as an assembly.
22 GEARS May 2018

1keith 0518.indd 22 4/27/2018 08:38:51

 S:7”

Original standards. Remanufactured.

Ford is your source for remanufactured gas engines. Each one
is built to original performance specs, including the latest Ford
engineering enhancements. And since every remanufactured
gas engine is built with parts that keep it specific to make,
model, year and emissions calibration, you’ll get the right fit
every time. No guesswork. That’s the power of original.

S:10”

Contact the Ford Powertrain Assistance Center

at 800-392-7946 or visit FordParts.com.

See dealer for warranty details.

Ads_May2018.indd 23 4/27/2018 08:56:14

 IN FRONT OF THE FLYWHEEL
L
ast month’s article covered the
tooling and some basic theo-
ries regarding mechanical test-
ing using electronic means. This month
we’ll dig a bit deeper into cranking
vacuum analysis.
When diagnosing a misfire, these
techniques allow you to evaluate, in
great detail, what could be causing low
compression, without disassembling
the engine. Often you can make these
diagnostic decisions very quickly, which
translates to saved time, increased profit,
and a high level of customer confidence.
Let’s quickly review:
A customer has a vehicle with a
misfire. Initial scan tool checks obtain
DTCs, identify a suspect cylinder, and
24 GEARS May 2018
1scottshotton0518.indd 24
gather any other pertinent information.
At some point, preferably early in the
diagnosis, the technician performs
a relative compression test (GEARS
Magazine Jan/Feb 2017).
If the vehicle has a mechanical
issue, we should get a poor relative
compression scope capture. Next,
we connect a vacuum transducer and
acquire another cranking capture
(GEARS Magazine April 2018) to
analyze the mechanical issue in greater
detail.
Mechanical
Analysis
The beauty of this technique lies in
your ability to quickly connect a scope,
Figure 1
by Scott Shotton
The Driveability Guys
capture a waveform, and find the exact
problem without disassembling the
engine.
Take this General Motors 6.0-liter
engine for example: The customer’s
complaint was rough running
accompanied by a flashing MIL. The
technician connects a Tech 2, the
General Motors OE scan tool for this
vehicle, and retrieves a misfire code:
Cylinder number three is misfiring.
The next step is to determine if the
misfire is fuel, ignition, or compression-
related. After spending a moment
observing some scan data on the Tech
2, the technician decides to perform a
relative compression test to determine
whether he needs to perform further
5/1/18 10:32 AM

mechanical testing.
The relative compression waveform
in blue shows a single cylinder that
has low or no compression (figure 1).
The green trace is cranking vacuum
waveform obtained using a piezoelectric
sensor attached to the intake manifold at
the PCV valve hose.
An obvious mechanical failure is
also evident in the vacuum waveform.
The last waveform in red is an ignition
sync I connected to the spark plug wire
for cylinder number one. This lets us
determine which cylinder is which.
Figure 2 is the same waveform
as figure 1, but we’ve zoomed in and
adjusted the scope to make analysis
easier. I’ve aligned the rulers in the
PicoScope software with the ignition
firing events and divided into 8 equal
sections, or one for each cylinder.
I also added the firing order for the
engine (1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3) to the relative
compression waveform (blue), making
GEARS May 2018 25
1scottshotton0518.indd 25
Figure 2
it easier to identify each cylinder’s
compression stroke.
Cylinder number 3 is missing the
current rise that would normally be
present during a good compression
stroke. The lack of compression also
aligns with the cylinder that the Tech 2
identified as misfiring. So mechanical/
compression related misfire it is. But
where to next?
Next, we’ll analyze the vacuum
waveform to try to determine why
there’s no compression. Manifold
vacuum drops when each intake
stroke occurs. These pressure drops,
or vacuum pulls as they are sometimes
called, occur at a different time in the
720º engine cycle.
The easiest way to identify which
pull belongs to which cylinder is to
move halfway through the capture and
label the space immediately after the
halfway point with the cylinder used
to sync. In this case we used cylinder
one, so I added a green number 1 to the
waveform.
From there, I labeled cylinders
8-7-2 and then wrapped back to the
beginning of the capture to complete
the 6-5-4-3 all in green. Cylinder 3, our
misfiring cylinder, appears to have a dip
in vacuum, which indicates it should be
pulling air into the cylinder on its intake
stroke. But there’s a large increase in
pressure and a large drop in manifold
vacuum that shows up elsewhere in the
capture.
To help identify what could
actually be happening, some form of
visual aid will help you visualize what’s
happening in the engine at each given
moment. One possibility is some form
of engine relationship chart.
One such option is available at
www.aeswave.com (figure 3). Visual
aids such as these allow you to determine
where all the pistons are located in the
engine at any given time, the direction
4/30/18 8:15 AM
 Pressure
Pressure and
and Vacuum
Vacuum Diagnosis,
Diagnosis, Part
Part II:
II: Cranking
Cranking Vacuum
that they’re traveling, and which valves
are open or closed. This information can
be extremely valuable when attempting
to diagnose without disassembly.
Analyzing the
Waveform
I zoomed in on the waveform a little
more (figure 4). Now, using visual aids,
we can compare vacuum changes to
engine events. In this case, I’ve drawn a
yellow arrow that indicates the direction
of piston travel in cylinder 3 when it’s
on its compression stroke.
The lack of compression in the blue
waveform is obvious, but what about the
vacuum change in the intake manifold?
Should a compression stroke have any
effect on intake manifold vacuum?
Could an intake valve not sealing or
closing in cylinder number 3 cause this
issue? Sure.
Pressure in the intake manifold
would increase as the piston pushes air
back into the intake manifold instead of
the intake valve holding the compression
pressure in the cylinder. The next step is
to explain the large increase in manifold
vacuum.
The purple arrow indicates which
way the piston in cylinder 3 is traveling
during the large pressure decrease in
the intake manifold. It just so happens
to be its power stroke. If you examine
the chart, or you use the intake pulls
identified in figure 2, this should be the
intake pull for cylinder number 2.
But why is the vacuum drop so
drastic compared to the rest? Let us
26 GEARS May 2018
1scottshotton0518.indd 26
Vacuum
Figure 3
revisit our theory that the intake valve
in cylinder 3 may not be sealing. If an
intake valve were to stay open on a
power stroke, wouldn’t that effectively
change it into an intake stroke? And if
so, wouldn’t we have two intake strokes
happening at the same time?
That’s exactly what’s occurring
here. Cylinder 3’s compression is
pushing past the intake valve and
increasing manifold pressure. Next,
cylinder 3’s power stroke becomes an
unwanted intake stroke causing a large
increase in manifold vacuum. Time to
call the customer and get authorization
to remove a valve cover and possibly a
cylinder head.
Conclusion
A relative compression capture,
cranking vacuum capture, and an
ignition sync all captured on one scope
screen can reveal extremely useful
diagnostic information.
At first, analyzing the captures will
Figure 4
be tough. There’s definitely a learning
curve involved when attempting to
master these techniques. With that in
mind, these tests are a perfect example
of a learning tool as well as a diagnostic
tool.
What I mean to say is, if you
perform this test you should know right
away that there is, or isn’t, a mechanical
issue. What you may not be able to
determine is the specific fault. The
capture you obtain from the next broken
vehicle probably won’t look like the one
we just analyzed, so you’ll have to start
from scratch.
If you can’t make sense from the
waveform, that’s okay. Save the image
and move on with other means of
diagnosis or engine disassembly. Then,
once you’ve identified the engine fault,
revisit the waveform and teach yourself
why the vacuum behaved the way it did.
After a while, patterns will start to
emerge and specific failures will start to
have their own signature. The more you
practice the technique the better you get.
Next month we’ll dive even
deeper and investigate some issues
with a pressure transducer installed in a
cylinder. In some cases, these techniques
may be your next mechanical diagnostic
step.
Engine or electrical diagnostic
issues you’d like to see addressed?
Let Scott know. Send him an email at
scott@driveabilityguys.com and you
just may have your question covered in
an issue of GEARS Magazine.
4/30/18 8:15 AM
 A GM Supplier of the Year
for 3 consecutive years

For up to date product information, rebuilding tips and

a library of helpful tech videos featuring industry expert
John Parmenter, visit our website: transmissionkits.com

To receive a Free Flash Drive with all of

Precision International’s 80 plus Tech and Service videos:
Call: 1-800-872-6649
E-Mail: JSollazzo@transmissionkits.com • Text: 631-245-3375

14 Todd Court Extension, Yaphank, NY 11980 • Toll Free: 1-800-872-6649

E-mail: sales@transmissionkits.com • www.transmissionkits.com

Ads_May2018.indd 27 4/27/2018 08:56:14

 HEAVY METAL!
W
ell here we go again, I feel
like Steve Harvey from the
Family Feud show: “Hello
folks, boy do we have a good one for you
today.” The only difference is that you
won’t be leaving with a new Ford Edge.
So it goes like this: A tow truck
showed up at the door with a 2013
Hyundai Santa Fe that wouldn’t move
or accelerate. Okay, which one is it?
Well, turns out it’s both. Okay, the
customer was diagnosing his own
vehicle and you know how that goes,
so you better pay attention and listen.
The customer came into the office
and explained how this happened.
Fortunately, I was visiting the shop on
a day off because that’s what we techs
do. The wife will ask, “Honey, what
are your plans for your day off?” “I’m
going to visit couple of shops to see
some friends and maybe have lunch
with one of them.” “Okay, I’m going
shopping then,” and we’re like, “okay,
c’ya.”
The customer claimed that he was
driving on the highway and all of a
sudden had to brake because the traffic
stopped. By the time he reached the
vehicle in front, traffic started to move,
so he kept rolling, but his car wouldn’t
get out of its own way.
And when he stepped on the gas,
the acceleration was limited no more
than 1000 RPM; the engine had no
power. I asked the shop owner to let
me test drive the vehicle with the
owner and he agreed. So off to the
vehicle we headed and, as we walked,
I started talking with the customer.
28 GEARS May 2018
1rolly 0518.indd 28
I asked how long he owned the
vehicle, if he was the only driver, and
if this was the first time this occurred.
According to him, this was the first
time. The vehicle looked clean and
well taken care of and he even showed
me all the service records: oil changes,
transmission service, etc.
So I asked him to let me drive and
he could be my copilot. So I sat down,
turned the key, and the engine fired up.
Then I moved the shifter to drive and
this little truck took off like a rocket. I
looked to my right and I could see the
gentleman’s face in awe, so I smile and
told him not to worry, this happens all
the time. “Wow! I don’t believe this,”
he replied.
I was driving the vehicle in a
manner he wasn’t accustomed to, so I
explained that I was trying to duplicate
his issues in more than one way, that
I wanted to find the problem rather
than tell him I couldn’t duplicate the
condition and send him home.
After 20 minutes driving, I was
just about to pull into the shop, and
bam! it happened: I lost all power
and the vehicle wouldn’t accelerate or
move. The aha moment just arrived
so I called the guys at the shop and
we pushed the vehicle back into
the parking lot. I shook hands with
the customer and thanked him for
his time. He signed the paperwork
and left.
I got the scan tool hooked up to
pull codes in both the OBDII protocol
and the OE protocol to see if I could
discover what was going on. There
by Rolly Alvarez
members.atra.com
weren’t any codes in any modules. By
this point I was scratching my head
and thinking, where would I begin?
Then I thought, “I’d like to shoot a
movie. But I’d need to get the vehicle
to start in 1st gear and to shift to take a
movie. How would I do that?”
I decided to let the engine cool
down to see if the problem was
temperature-related. After a couple
hours, I went back and fired up the
engine but to no avail; the engine still
had no power and the transmission
wouldn’t move. The engine idled well,
with no misfires.
So I was sitting in the driver’s
seat sideways, with my feet out the
car door, engine running with the A/C
on. While I was thinking, a kid on a
bicycle went by and said, “Sir, your
brake lights are on.” I thanked him,
and suddenly another light bulb went
on, this time in my head: My feet were
out the door. How could the brake
lights be on?
4/27/2018 08:40:15
 So I walked to the back and, sure
enough, all three brake lights were
on, so I went back in got the scan
tool again. Bingo! There it was: The
computer was seeing the brake switch
on. I stuck my head under the dash
to look at the brake switch and it was
damaged (figure 1). With only 65,000
miles on this vehicle.
It turns out this is a common
problem on 2013 Hyundai Santa
Fe; Kia Optima, Rondo, Sorento,
Sportage, and Telluride vehicles with
A6LF1, A6MF2, A6LF2, A6MF2H,
and A6GF1 6-speed transmissions.
I reset the switch the best I could
for a test. The lights went out and, when
I started the engine, the transmission
went right into first gear. Back on the
road I went and it drove beautifully.
As I was driving I wiggled my foot, Figure 1
disturbing the brake switch and, sure
enough, I lost everything. I was happier
than a rooster in a chicken coop.
I discovered that the brake light
switch was superseded because the
black nylon cover would break when
it became brittle from age, and it
would crumble or crack, causing the
brakes light to stay on. The new part is
number 93810 3S000 (figure 2). After
replacing the switch at a cost of $39 —
in stock at the dealer — and readapting
the unit, it worked flawlessly.

Figure 2

T-400
AFTERMARKET PUMP
AFTERMARKET PUMP with Oversized One Piece
with Oversized One Piece Stator Tube Stator Tube

• Holmes #1 NASA 1.125” input shaft • NASA 1.125” input

tapered to fit standard gear set shaft pressed into
• Holmes #2 NASA 1.125” input shaft an aftermarket
to fit oversized center and flange gear drum
• Oversized hub
Like All Transmission Specialties Products. . .
These are Exceptionally Made at a Reasonable Price!

GEARS May 2018 29

1rolly 0518.indd 29 4/27/2018 08:40:19

 UP YOUR BUSINESS
U
p Your Business is an exclusive
GEARS Magazine feature in
which I share stories, insights,
and reflections about real business and
life challenges.
In this article, we’ll look at wisdom’s
role in resolving disputes. At one time
or another, we all face situations in
which we’re asked to intervene or to
interject ourselves into a dispute. It
might be between employees, your
children, your siblings, or even dis-
putes between you and someone else.
(If you’re arguing with or having a
dispute with yourself, this article
can’t help you, but there are plenty of
professionals who can.)
HOW I BECAME
AN ARBITRATOR
When I owned my transmission
company in Washington, I was a
volunteer at the Seattle Better Business
Bureau. They asked me a few times to
provide some guidance on automotive-
related customer complaints, and I
guess I said something that led to an
invitation to attend arbitrator training.
To obtain the arbitrator certifica-
tion, I had to attend a week of training
and pass a written, essay-style test.
The test included role-playing a mock
hearing, summarizing the evidence,
and writing what I decided and why I
decided as I did.
As I recall, that week of training
was more about how to ask good
questions and listen to the disputants’
answers than it was about making a
good ruling. The instructors told us
30 GEARS May 2018
1tschetter 0518.indd 30
not just to listen to what was said, but
how they said it. Their body language,
as well as the tone of their responses,
often contained more information and
truth than their words themselves.
They warned us that emotions
like anger, frustration, and fear could
easily get out of control during the
hearings. We listened to recordings
of emotional testimony and had to sift
through what was called the “story”
and get to the “facts.”
They taught us that, when
someone angrily or defensively talks
over the other, it prevents them from
listening and makes being reasonable
almost impossible.
After years of hearing actual
cases, I can tell you that our instructors
weren’t lying: The emotions attached
to live testimony posed the most
difficult challenge to getting to the
truth. It was as if the truth was hidden
within a fog created by emotions.
The witnesses weren’t much
different. The amazing thing about
them was their testimonies typically
mirrored the same tone and body
language and contained nearly as
much emotion as the person they
testified for in the hearing.
But the physical evidence was
usually quite straightforward. Normally
it was made up of things like written
agreements, contracts, invoices, can-
celled or NSF checks, pictures, and
written affidavits from witnesses or
subject-matter experts. The nicest
thing about physical evidence was that
it didn’t speak and had no emotions…
by Thom Tschetter
it just was what it was. Ironically, it
didn’t always reflect or prove the facts
that the parties were claiming.
I also learned that being a fair and
just arbitrator didn’t always make me
a peacemaker. But I was able to settle
most of my cases before the hearing
was completed and usually before it
even started with a pre-hearing speech
that I’d give. I’ll explain that a bit later.
WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE
DISPUTE RESOLUTION?
For over 20 years, I served as an
arbitrator and mediator for the BBB.
The position of arbitrator fell under a
department called Alternative Dispute
Resolution. As the name implies,
this department’s mission was to use
alternative means to resolve disputes
before they ended up in court. In a
nutshell, the ADR toolbox included 3
basic levels of dispute resolution:
1. Written Complaint: This provides
the complaining party with a means
4/27/2018 08:41:20
Ads_May2018.indd 31 4/27/2018 08:56:17
 Seek Wisdom In Dispute Resolution
of venting and explaining how
or why they feel they’ve suffered
damages by the other party.
• The complaining party completes
a complaint form or writes a letter
stating what they’re seeking from
the other party. They send the
form to the BBB together with
any substantiating materials like
invoices and pictures.
• The BBB sends the complaint and
related materials to responding
party. They’re given a reasonable
number of days to respond.
• Often the process of filing the
complain t and the response
resolves the dispute. Because
it requires the parties to tell
their respective stories about
what happened and read the
other party’s perspective,
things often work out. Many
times the dispute is merely a
case of misunderstanding and
miscommunication.
• Typically, the parties are so
wrapped up in talking about
what they thought happened
that they don’t listen to what
the other person’s saying. Once
they understand each other’s
perspective, they’re able to come
up with a reasonable solution on
their own.
• Stephen Covey, the late author
of 7 Habits of Highly Effective
People puts it this way: “Seek
first to understand and then be
understood.”
2. Mediation: This provides the disputing
parties with the opportunity to present
their respective cases to a third party,
called a mediator. Some people like
this venue because it’s less confronta-
tional than court or arbitration.
• The objective is for the parties to
agree to a settlement. It’s not a
matter of proving one or the other
right or wrong. It’s all about the
settlement.
• The parties typically speak
privately with the mediator.
The mediator carefully listens
to their respective stories and
asks questions for both clarity
and to cause the parties to
think introspectively about the
matter. The parties are expected
to articulate how they’ve been
32 GEARS May 2018
1tschetter 0518.indd 32
damaged and what it’ll take to
make them whole again.
• After listening to both parties,
the mediator will begin a process
of “brokering a settlement”
between the parties. The mediator
remains as neutral as possible, but
is always listening for common
ground and an opening to reach a
negotiated settlement.
• The idea of a good negotiated
settlement is when both parties
independently feel they’ve won —
or at least that they didn’t lose any
worse than the other party.
• BBB mediation settlements are
binding on the parties once they’ve
been written by the mediator and
signed by the parties.
3. Arbitration: This provides a
venue for disputants to present their
cases to an arbitrator or panel of
arbitrators. In this case, the parties
are attempting to convince the
arbitrator(s) that they’re right or the
other party is wrong. The arbitrator
makes the decision in light of the
testimony and evidence presented
by the parties to the dispute. In some
ways, it similar to TV shows like
Judge Judy or The People’s Court,
minus the entertainment factors.
• Before the hearing, the parties
agree that they’ll accept the final
decision. For that reason, it’s
called binding arbitration. It’s
rare that a court will agree to
hear a case that’s been previously
arbitrated.
• While there are strict procedural
guidelines, the proceedings and
rules of evidence are more relaxed
than court, and it’s normally held
in a conference room instead of a
courtroom.
• Unlike mediation, the parties
are both in the room to confront
each other with their testimonies,
witnesses, evidence, and cross-
examinations. In some cases,
one or both parties may attend
via teleconferencing. Also in
some rare instances, one party
might rely on written evidence.
(This doesn’t normally go well
for that party because they aren’t
able to listen to the other party’s
testimony and cross-examine or
offer rebuttal testimony.)
• Each party presents their
respective case in its entirety.
While the parties aren’t supposed
to interrupt each other’s
testimony, the arbitrator can ask
questions for clarification.
• After each party presents his
or her case, the other party can
ask questions for clarification
or question a witness. But they
can’t argue about or even rebut
the testimony at this point in the
hearing.
• They each have the opportunity
to make a rebuttal argument about
the other’s testimony after both
parties have presented their cases.
• Once the parties have presented
their cases and asked all their
questions, the final decision is
in the hands of the arbitrator(s).
Again, the final decision is
binding on the parties.
• The arbitrator(s) will make
their ruling and send a written
decision, usually within 10 days
of the hearing. Unlike court
judges, arbitrators also include
a statement, called Reasons, in
which they explain the reasoning
behind their ruling. Many
arbitrators use this as a teaching
opportunity to help the parties
avoid future disputes.
MY PREHEARING
SPEECH
This is the short prehearing
speech I mentioned earlier. It brought
over 50% of my cases to a close
without a hearing.
Welcome to this hearing. I know
that you’re here today because you
feel you’re right and the other party
is wrong. To get to this point, you’ve
made some attempt to resolve the
matter either on your own or with
some help from our staff. I realize that
you’re deeply convinced that you’re
going to win this case.
However, once this hearing
begins, that decision is going to be
totally in my hands. While I promise
that I’ll be fair and just in making my
decision, I guarantee you one thing…
one or both of you are going to be
disappointed with my decision.
Right now, you both still have
some say in the outcome. I’m inviting
4/27/2018 08:41:24
 you to reconsider and make one last
attempt at coming to an agreement you
can both live with.
Since I can’t be present for any
settlement discussions, I can call in a
member of our staff to help you work
it out. Or shall we proceed with the
hearing? It’s up to the two of you.
Again, about 50% of the time, the
parties decided to settle rather than
proceeding to the hearing.
DISPUTES
WITH NO EVIDENCE
This is the classic, “He said, she
said” situation. It’s one person’s word
against the other, with no witnesses or
physical evidence to corroborate either
of them.
Most of us have heard the ancient
story about the two women, each with
newborn baby boys. Because they
lived together in the same house with
no one else, they had no witnesses
as to whose baby was whose. In the
middle of the night, while asleep,
one of the women accidentally rolled
over on her baby and killed him. Of
course she was very upset, but quickly
conceived a plan to switch the babies
while the second woman was still
sleeping.
In the morning, when the second
woman awoke and carefully examined
the dead baby, she recognized that it
wasn’t hers and knew what had taken
place. Of course, a dispute over the
living baby resulted. But, having no
witnesses, the women took their dispute
to the king: King Solomon. You might
recall from my first article how his
wisdom had enabled him to become the
wisest and richest king in history.
This particular story is found in
the Bible in 1st Kings Chapter 3.
Let’s look at how wise King Solomon
resolved this dispute.
After listening carefully to the
two women as they presented their
respective arguments, Solomon was
unable to determine which woman was
telling the truth. So he called for his
servant to bring a sword. He ordered
the servant to cut the baby in half and
to give half to each of the women.
One of the women pleaded with
the King saying, “No. Let the baby
live. Give the baby to her so that he
might live.” Then King Solomon said,
“Give the living baby to this woman,
for her request proves that she is the
true mother.”
In this case, King Solomon made
his decision by listening the women’s
actions and which woman responded
as a mother would.
THE KEY POINT
The key point of this article is
that the wisest thing you can do in
resolving any kind of a dispute is
to listen. The word “listen” is the
common thread that weaves its way
through this entire article. In fact, it
appears 17 times.
Listening is the key to avoiding|
disputes as well as resolving them.
Remember to ask non-confrontational
questions, eliminate confusion, and sep-
arate emotional stories from facts. Listen
to what’s said as well as how it’s said.
Remember what Stephen Covey
observed, “Seek first to understand
and then be understood.”

5R110 Diesel
Performance Solenoids
We designed and manufacture the EPC and Direct Solenoid
being used all over the country by professional transmission
and diesel shops.

136431A-S2
EPC Solenoid is designed to increase all
line pressure of the transmission.
Better clutch apply, better clutch
holding power, better converter lockup.

136422A-S2
Direct Solenoid works in conjunction with
our EPC to increase apply and holding
pressure on the Direct Clutches
(number 1 failure of 5R110).

GIVE US A CALL TODAY

AND LETS GO OVER THE OTHER PRODUCTS
THAT WILL HELP YOU
BUILD BETTER TRANSMISSIONS!!!

A Division of Midwest Transmission Supply

800-731-4510 • MTS-DIESEL.COM

GEARS May 2018 33

1tschetter 0518.indd 33 4/27/2018 08:41:28

 SUCCESS STRATEGIES
D
o you think of yourself as a
leader? It’s really helpful when
you do, because, believe it or
not, some people are watching you and
following your examples.
I’ve been involved in many
businesses, shops, teams, clubs,
associations, platoons, bands, and
assorted groups over the years. In each
situation, I’ve found that achieving
big things always involved getting
others to embrace or adopt the project
enthusiastically. In other words,
getting them to “buy in.”
Without buy-in, you’re left with
only your own strength and knowl-
edge; with it, you gain the resources
of others. The next time you have a big
project to accomplish, consider these
vital questions for owners, managers,
supervisors, shop managers, and tech-
nicians as you begin.
• Who always tells you the truth?
(Think about this one for a moment.)
• What specifically are you hoping to
accomplish with this effort?
• What will that look like in actual
outcomes and behavior changes day
to day?
34 GEARS May 2018
1chatcart 0518.indd 34
• What specific behaviors and com-
ments do you want to see to prove
this is working? How will you know
this has worked?
• What will that be worth to the shop
financially? Where will you save
money and make money?
• What problems will that eliminate or by Jim Cathcart, CSP, CPAE
reduce for you?
• What’s important about achieving
this goal to you (personally)?
• What’s possible for you? What do
you wish were possible for you? employee retention, reduce wasteful
• Someone in your industry will practices, increase profit margins, and
become the leading shop and a promote what they think is a great
model for the industry to follow. Are brand message. Most of them will only
you up to becoming that good so have moderate success in doing so.
that others want to be like you? Not only will most of their advances
• What’s a customer worth to your be small, they’ll also be temporary.
business over a buying lifetime? It doesn’t have to be that way.
• Are you willing to change your When a small group of people
systems and practices day to day to is committed to making a lasting
achieve a winning culture? difference, they can change the world!
• Are you willing to change enough Sociologist Margaret Mead once
personally to sustain the new culture said, “What makes me think that a
of achievement? small group of committed individuals
Lots of companies will start new can change the world? Indeed, it is the
initiatives this year to increase sales, only thing that ever has!”
improve customer service, increase
Jim Cathcart, CSP, CPAE is a longtime contributor to GEARS Magazine
and a friend of ATRA. He is the author of 18 books and in the top 1% of
speakers at TEDx worldwide. He consults with business owners and
coaches success seekers. Contact him at info@cathcart.com. View his videos
on YouTube and Cathcart.com.
4/27/2018 08:42:46
 NEW (Enhanced) Transmission Pump Bushings
Innovations brought to you by Dura-Bond - Leading into the Future
TRANSMISSON / PART
TRANSMISSION / TRANS. TYPE PART #
TRANS. TYPE NUMBER
AISIN WARNER / BORG WARNER
AW55-50SN/AW55-51SN (AF23/AF33/RE5F22A) AIT-2-1TG
CHRYSLER
A500 (40RH/42RH/42RE/44RE) 01998TG
A518, A618 (46RH/46RE/47RH/47RE/48RE) DOT-2-1TG
A604 (40TE/41TE) 01998TG
A606 (42LE) 01998TG
A904 (TF-6) / (30RH/31RH/32RH) 01998TG
42RLE 01998TG
68RFE 37998TG
FORD
AOD (FIOD) 02161FTG
Now with an Enhanced Dry Film Lubricant AODE/4R70W/4R75W/4R70E/4R75E 02161FTG

Coating used in the Aerospace Industry! AWTF80SC/81SC (AF21/AF40-6) 39030DTG

C-4/C-5 33355DBTG
C-6 02161FTG

These NEW (Enhanced) Transmission Pump E4OD/4R100 02161FTG

FNR5 FNR-1-2TG
Bushings are constructed of seamless steel tube 4F27E FNR-1-2TG

with a thin layer of babbitt material. Seamless 5R110W (Torqshift) 02161FTG

6F35 GMT-2-8TG
construction makes installation easy, eliminating 6R60/6R80 (ZF6HP26) JT-80-1TG

breakage and bushing surface interruptions. GENERAL MOTORS

Allison 1000/2000/2400 121034TG

• Full Round Babbitt Bushings - Tightest tolerances Aluminum Powerglide

AW55-50SN/AW55-51SN (AF23/AF33/RE5F22A)
44034TG
AIT-2-1TG
in the industry Super Turbine 300 44034TG
180/180C (3L30)
- No walking
JET-2-2TG
180/180C (3L30) (Front) 44034TG
- No possible split when installing 200-4R 61005TG
250/250C/350/350C
- Wall tolerance of .0005 325
44034TG
44034TG
- OD tolerance of .001 400 (3L80) 44034TG
4L30E (Front) 44034TG
• Dry Film Lubricant Coating - Provides solid lubrication 4L80E/4L85E (Wide) 34001CSTG

of parts subject to torque or contact stresses 5L40E/5L50E 61005TG

6L50/6L80/6L90 JT-206-1TG
- For maximum fatigue life 6T40/6T45 (6F35) GMT-2-8TG
6T40/6T45 Gen II 2012-Up
- Improved surface properties
GMT-2-8ATG
700R4 (4L60) /4L60E/4L65E/4L70E 61005TG
- Excellent load carrying capacity HYUNDAI / MITSUBISHI

- Provides intermittent dry lubrication R4A51/V4A51/R5A51/V5A51

MAZDA
MIT-1-1TG

• Bushings with Indents - Better oil retention FN4A-EL (4F27E) FNR-1-2TG

NISSAN / INFINITI
AW55-50SN/AW55-51SN (AF23/AF33/RE5F22A) AIT-2-1TG
RE5R05A JT-1-6TG
SUZUKI
A440H 1DDA6TG
TOYOTA / LEXUS
A440F/A442F 1DDA6TG
A750E TOY4TG
U140/U240/U241/U250 67001TG
VOLKSWAGEN / AUDI
09G (TF60SN) VWT-1-1TG
ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
ZF6HP26 (6R60/6R80) JT-80-1TG
"All USA Made — Dura-Bond Bearing Co. making bushings since 1947."

Call one of our partners listed below for availability:

Ads_May2018.indd 35 4/27/2018 08:56:18

 ATTITUDE IS
EVERYTHING
at Mister Transmission
T
his past March 24th, ATRA’s
Dennis Madden and Keith
Clark were on hand at the
Mister Transmission annual conven-
tion. Mister Transmission is a strictly
Canadian company, founded in 1963.
Today they have over 60 transmission
repair centers across the country.
Don’t confuse Mister Transmission
with Mr. Transmission, a U.S. franchise
company based in Illinois; the two are
totally different companies.
The weekend event was a full
industry get-together. Sort of a small
Expo for Canadian transmission
shops. And it was attended by about
29 independent shops in addition to
representation by nearly every Mister
Transmission center.
In addition to being transmission
repair centers, every Mister
Transmission center is also an ATRA
technical subscriber, so it’s no wonder
that they’d invite ATRA to be a part of
their event, to provide some of ATRA’s
in-depth industry training.
Dennis Madden; ATRA, Joe Pawlowski; Mister Transmission, Keith Clark; ATRA,
Robert Bateman, Seal Aftermarket Products
36 GEARS May 2018
1dennis-story0518.indd 36
Of course, Dennis shared his highly
respected management studies, and
Keith was there to deliver the ATRA
regional seminar program. They were
followed by a CVT rebuild program
courtesy of Seal Aftermarket Products.
Later, after the seminars, Dennis
got a chance to speak with a number of
the shop owners and technicians from
a wide range of Mister Transmission
centers. And in all those encounters, one
thing stood out to him: “Every one of
them has an amazing attitude. There’s
no negativity… no complaining… they
all seem to be psyched to be here and to
be in this business.”
That attitude is something that
always rings with those of us who’ve
spent the last dozen years with the
What’s Working program: A good
attitude was the first common trait we
identified when we began to poll shop
owners to learn what makes one shop
successful while another flounders.
Today it sits at the top of the list of
the five recurring traits for operating a
by Steve Bodofsky
members.atra.com
successful shop.
So a good attitude is important. But
everyone having a good attitude? That’s
saying a lot. But in all his conversations
during the event, that attitude stood out
to Dennis, so much so that it was the
first thing he shared when he returned
to the ATRA home office. And it got us
all thinking: Why? What is it that has
everyone from Mister Transmission so
upbeat?
Could it be a Canadian thing? It’s
long been a stereotype when talking
about Canadians that they’re so — how
can I put this? — nice. You see someone
portraying a Canadian on TV or movie,
and they always seem friendly and
welcoming. Could the stereotype be
accurate?
Turns out it kind of is. As a whole,
Canadians are a friendly bunch. An
unusual stereotype to be sure, but way
better than the stereotypes you usually
hear when talking about some groups.
Okay, that’s a start, but even nice
people get negative once in a while.
Tony Kuczynski; Mister Transmission CEO
Technical seminar and CVT class
5/1/18 10:37 AM
 And the transmission industry has
become a tough row to hoe these days.
It isn’t like back in the ’60s and ’70s,
when owning a transmission repair shop
was almost a guarantee for success.
Today, not so much.
These days the work is more
complicated and less profitable, and
transmissions are lasting longer. And
a lot of people are competing for your
business, in part due to remans and how
common they’ve become. That’s often
why transmission shops in this country
expand into general repairs: There just
isn’t enough transmission work to keep
them busy.
But that’s where another stereotype
kicks in: that Canadians are living in the
past. Turns out that may be true, too, but
not the way you might think.
Let’s be clear: Today’s Canadian
transmission shops are working on the
same, highly technical transmissions
and computer systems that we work
with here in the U.S. on a daily basis.
They’re just as skilled and up to date as
the technicians here in the U.S.
But the business model in Canada
is awfully similar to what U.S. shops
remember from 30 or 40 years ago.
For example, according to Mister
Transmission President and CEO Tony
Kuczynski, about 40% of the business
reaching the average transmission shop
is wholesale, 15% is fleet, and just 45%
is retail.
In addition, remans aren’t all that
common in Canada. Seems most reman
Mister Transmission Franchisees, Offices Executives… and guest.
GEARS May 2018 37
1dennis-story0518.indd 37
companies are in the U.S., and, when
you factor in the exchange rate and the
tariffs for crossing the border, selling
remans in Canada isn’t as profitable
for reman companies. That reduces the
competition for Canadian shops.
Maybe that’s why today’s Mister
Transmission centers are all still
strictly transmission specialists: Few
of their centers have expanded their
service model into general repairs. And
why would they? A large part of their
business comes right from the general
repair market, and they certainly don’t
want to compete with their customers.
So there are a lot of differences
that give today’s Canadian transmission
shop advantages that we haven’t seen in
the U.S. since the ’60s and ’70s. Maybe
that’s where some of that attitude comes
from.
But maybe the biggest effect comes
right from the Mister Transmission
franchise. Because their involvement
in their franchisees’ businesses seems
to support the attitude that stood out so
clearly at this year’s event.
For example, they make it a point to
provide the training that’s so important
for today’s shops to keep up with the
changing market. And they provide
marketing support: “We do a lot of
radio marketing and digital marketing
for our centers, and that’s basically
focused toward the retail customer,”
explains Tony. And the company
has a marketing program for their
wholesale accounts, too.
Dennis Madden, ATRA
Of course, just like in the U.S.,
transmission shops in Canada have to
deal with their aging workforce. But
that’s one more area where Mister
Transmission is stepping up to support
their centers: They’ve gone in and
evaluated the personnel at each shop,
and rated the shops based on how soon
their technicians are likely to retire.
And if the shop’s technicians are
getting close to retirement age, the
people at Mister Transmission’s home
office are working to help find new
technicians to fill the coming void.
Maybe most of all, that positive
attitude is part of the company’s
landscape: “We see the future as
very promising,” explains Tony.
“We attended the CTI symposium in
December, and we took a close, hard
look at what’s coming. We’re really
excited about what we’re seeing.”
So maybe that’s it: a combination
of an easier market, terrific support
from the home office, and just plain
being nice. Maybe it’s no wonder that
the folks from Mister Transmission
have such a terrific attitude when it
comes to the industry at large. And who
knows? Maybe we can all take a page
out of their notebooks.
5/1/18 10:37 AM

Learn more...Earn more!
Seminar Locations
June 2 - Vancouver, BC
June 2 - Council Bluffs, IA
August 4 - San Antonio, TX
August 11 - Atlanta, GA
August 18 - Anaheim, CA
August 25 - Portland, OR
August 25 - Tulsa, OK
September 8 - Billings, MT
September 15 - Newark, NJ
September 22 - Chicago, IL
November 17 - Baltimore, MD
ad template.indd 1
2018
Technical
Seminar
There’s no better way to prove your shop’s
competitiveness than by making sure your continuing
education and training always remain a priority. Let’s
face it, technical training reduces diagnostic and labor
times, slashes comebacks and no-goes, and enhances
your earning power. And that’s where ATRA can help:
by providing the very best in technical information,
with award-winning seminar material, in a face-to-face
environment, attending the ATRA Technical Seminar in
your area will be the best decision you make all year!
Because if you’re someone who takes pride in calling
yourself a “professional technician”, then you need to
make plans to attend TODAY!
Schedule Fees
Registration ......7am-8am All Pricing in US Funds
Seminar......................8am* ATRA Members .........$175
Lunch .............12pm-1pm Non-Members ...........$220
*Vancouver Seminar
Begins at 9am
Every 4th person........FREE
On-site registration.....$250
How To Register
Phone toll-free: (800) 428-8489
Fax your payment & (805) 988-6761
registration information to:
Online: http://members.atra.com
Mail your payment to:
ATRA Seminar Registration
2400 Latigo Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93030
4/27/18 10:37 AM
 Table of
General
• AWD SYSTEMS
-
-
General System Overview
Transfer Coupling
• VARIABLE LIFT
CAMSHAFT SYSTEMS
- Introduction
Contents
- Diagnostics, Tire Wear, Codes • MP TRANSFER CASE General Motors
- Rolling Circumference Test - K Truck, Service 4WD Message,
• GETRAG 760 TRANSFER DTCs Set, Various Other Issues • 4L60E/65E/70E • 6L80
CASE • CHEVROLET/GMC - Burnt/Leaking 3-4 Clutch - Tailshaft Bushing Failure
- Introduction and FULL SIZE K TRUCK - No Reverse • 6L80/90
Service Information - Front Differential Failure/Noise/ • 4L60/65E - Burnt Slipping 1-2-3-4, 4-5-6,
- System Operation Clunk - Harsh Shifts 3-5-R Clutches
- ABS Light On, Trac Off, Service • NEW GM RPO PROCESS - Neutrals on the 2-3 Shift, • 8 AND 9 SPEED
Traction Control System Light - For 2018 and Later Applications Repeat 3-4 Clutch Failure APPLICATIONS
On, Service Stabilitrak Light On • GM VEHICLES - Slips and Chatters - Selective One-Way Clutches
• MP1625, MP1626, - Reprogramming with the Same - TCC Shudder (SOWC)
MP1222, MP1225, MP1226 Calibration Files • 6L45/50/80/90 • LCT 1000
- Transfer Case Updates • 6L50/6L80/6L90, - Damaged 1-2-3-4/3-5-R Clutch - No Reverse
• MP1625, MP1626, 8L45/8L90 Drum Bearing Seal - Harsh Downshift at Times
MP3010, MP3023, - Driveability Issues with 4 • 6L80/90 - 1-2 Flare, 3-2 Downshift Bump
MP3024, MP3025G Cylinder Mode, TCC Applied - Burnt/Slipping 4-5-6 Clutch, - Pressure Tap Size
- Service 4x4 Message Possible • 6T70/75, 6L50 Possible Transmission Overheat, • 6T70/75
DTCs C0392, C0396, C0398, - Transmission/Engine Driveability Cooler Flushing Issues - Delayed Engagement, Delayed
C0306, C039E, C038D Set, Issues, Engine Misfire 3.6L, or Neutral on 5-4 Kickdown,
Likely Intermittent - Thermal Valve
3.0L V-6 P0756
• AF33-5/4L60E • ALL GM VEHICLES • 6T30, 6T40/45
- Engine Misfire Before and/or - TCC Slip, No Apply, P0741
- Jumps While Driving 45mph After Repairs, Shudder, Harsh Possible
Shift, Surge
• 6L50 • 6T40
- Surge at Idle While Stopped in
Ford - Communication Issues, Possible
DTCs, Engine Driveability Issues
Drive Range
• 6T30/35
• 6L80/90 - 1-2-3-4 Snap Ring Pops Out
• 6F35 • 6R140 - Pump Service, Low Line Pres- After Repair
- Harsh Engagements, DTC - Transmission Overheating, sure, Slips Forward/Reverse
P0C27 Erratic Cooler Flow • 4T65E
- Slips/Harsh 1-2, 3-4, Flares at • 6L80/90, 8L90, 10L80/90 - Harsh Shifts, P0722, P0723
- DTC P054F - Garage Shift Clunk All • CVT-7, JF015E
Times
- Harsh Engagements, No Codes - Worn/Damaged Forward 1-2-3- • 6L45/50, 6L80/90 - Characteristics Chevrolet Spark,
- DTC P0760, P0763 4 Clutch Regulator Valve - Pan and Filter Combo Barina, Beat
- Flexplate Update, Knocking - Solenoid, Transmission Range, - Hard Shift After Repairs • ALL RWD VEHICLES
Noise Speed Sensor Codes - 2-6 Clutch Failure, 2-6 Clutch - Front Seal Leakage After Repair,
- Torque Converter Update, - Various DTCs Set, Various Support Bushing Failure Worn Front Seals
Broken Lugs, Noise, No Symptoms, Diesel Applications
Movement - High Transmission Temp,
• 6R80
- Dropping out of 5th and 6th
Transmission Overheating Chrysler
• DPS6
Gear - No Start and/or No Movement, • CVT2 - Third Gear Powerflow
- Harsh/Firm 5-4 Downshift, Loss of Power with DTCs - P0730, Ratio Codes
Reprogram - Fourth Gear Powerflow
U0100, U0101 and/or U1013, - Whining Noise, DTC P0218 - Fifth Gear Powerflow
• 6R60 P0606 • 68RFE
- DTC U0101, U1900 and/or Falls - Sixth Gear Powerflow
• 4R44/55E - Delayed Engagements
Out of Gear - Seventh Gear Powerflow
- Clunk When Coming to a Stop - Fluid Leakage, Case Cracked
• 4R70W - Manual Shaft Seal Leak - Eighth Gear Powerflow
- Squawk on Take Off or • CD4E - Filter Replacement
Coast Down Shift - DTC P0715 and P0717 • 42-48RE SERIES
- Voltage Issues - Solenoid Connector Removal
• 48RE - Pump Assembly
Imports - Cooler Check Valve
• 42-48 SERIES
- Pump Gears Removal
- No 4th or TCC, P0740-P0783 - Pump Gear Disassembly
• P111 - Speed Sensor Identification - No Reverse - Internal Component Disassembly
- No Start, No Movement - Shift Solenoid Location • 45/545/65/66/68 RFE - Geartrain Disassembly
• RE5R05A and Specifications SERIES - P4 Snap Ring Special Tool
- No Start After Flywheel - Valve Body Identification - DTC P0869, Line Pressure High - P1 Planet and Sun Gear Removal
Replacement - Air Check Locations • 545RFE
- Reprogramming the TCM - P2 Planet Removal
- Servo Identification - No Reverse
• RE0F10A/B - P2 Ring Gear and Trust Bearing
- Servo Travel - Kills the Motor
- DTC P17F0/F1, Shudder or - P4 Sun Gear, Planet and D/C/E
Violent Shaking
- C3 and C4 Clutch Drum Identifi- • 62TE Clutch
cation - DTC P0935, P1745
• A340, AW30-40LE - C1 Clutch Drum Identification • 845RE - C Clutch Assembly
- No Reverse, No 3rd After Repair - B2 Brake Identification - Introduction - P3 Ring Gear, C and E Clutch
• A750F - Sprag Rotation - Clutch Application Chart - Setting Clutch Clearance
- P2716 Set - Solenoid Application Chart
- C2 Clutch Drum Identification - Clutch Drum Specifics
• U151 - B2 Brake Snap Ring - Failsafe Operation
- Tie-Up, Damaged Clutches - Valve Body Exploded View
- Service Information - Gear Ratio Chart
• U880 - Service Procedures • 45RFE
- Introduction - ECM Reset - Over-Temperature DTC Set
- Internal Component View
- Gear Ratio • HONDA 3 SHAFT - Reverse Powerflow • ALL CHRYSLER VEHICLES
- Line Pressure Test - DTC P0780 - First Gear Powerflow - P1790, P0720, P0731,
- Clutch and Band Application - TCC Issue - Second Gear Powerflow Erratic Shifts
Chart • A5HF1
- Shift Solenoid Operation - No Upshift After 3rd Gear

ad template.indd 1 4/27/18 10:38 AM

 O
ne of the characteristics of
small town living is that just
about everyone knows your
business. Just one unhappy customer
could irreparably damage your reputa-
tion in a matter of just a few hours, and
there’s nothing you can do about it.
So it says a lot about a business
that’s been operating successfully in a
small town for almost 40 years. That’s
a long time to avoid the stigma that
an unhappy customer could release on
your business.
Quality Transmission and
Alignment is one such business. Owner
Don Keiser has been operating his
shop in Norfolk, Nebraska, a town of
only about 24,000 people, for 38 years
now. And according to Don, business is
booming.
“I started working on cars when
I was still in high school,” says Don.
“That was back in 1972.
“My brother gave me a 1957 Chevy
after he got out of the military. He got it
and he had fun with it, and after a while
1shop profile0518.indd 40
driving it he tore up the transmission.
He put a used one in and he tore that
one up, too.
“So then I got the car. I took
the automatic out and replaced it
with a 3-speed, floor-shift manual
transmission. Later I went to a 4-speed
and a bigger engine.
“I had a good friend who was into
automotive stuff and was a year ahead
of me in high school. He and I would
work on them.
“Then, in 1975, I went to Northeast
Technical Community College to Don & Sheila Keiser – owners
learn automotive technology; later
it changed its name to Northeast
Community College. I graduated in A New Name
1977 with honors. “I started with the name Quality
“After graduating, I took a few jobs Transmission and Auto Repair. But I
in a few other shops here in town until built the new building in 1985 and added
1980, when I opened my own shop. I an alignment rack in the beginning
started in a rented building on South of 1986, so that’s when we changed
4th Street; it was on a one-way street the name to Quality Transmission and
going north. Talk about making things Alignment.”
difficult. But customers started coming They still do minor general repair,
in.” like brakes, struts, and of course,
5/1/18 9:06 AM
 Quality Transmission and Alignment Crew L to R: Steve Sampson, Jerry Prauner, Sheila & Don Keiser,
Janna Beeken, Brad Carlson, Kevin Olson

complete driveline service. But they

won’t touch major general repairs, such
as replacing an engine. For that, they’ll
recommend one of the general repair
shops they work with.
And they no longer advertise
general repairs; just transmissions and
alignment. But it turns out there’s an
important reason for that: “Our real
bread-and-butter and true interest is in
automatic transmissions, clutches, and
alignments.
“We also do maintenance work, like Steve Sampson performing a dyno test before
oil changes, for some of the businesses Jerry Prauner removing a transmission. installation.
here in town, and our friends and local
people. But I don’t want to advertise oil
changes; I hate ’em.”
That works okay if you’re busy
enough, and for years they have been.
Although lately some of the work they
used to count on has gone by the wayside.

Wholesale Business
“We used to do a lot of transmission
work for Ford dealerships in the area,”
explains Don. Then Ford cracked down
on their dealers and told them, ‘You
either do them in house or you buy
them from Ford.’”
That was a big hit for Don and
his crew, because they had about five
Ford dealers in the area sending them
transmission repair work. That went
away when Ford changed their policy.
Those dealers still send their used cars
to Quality, but that’s a far cry from
where they were a few years ago. Brad Carlson doing an alignment – to as close to perfection as possible.

GEARS May 2018 41

1shop profile0518.indd 41 5/1/18 9:00 AM

 Quality Transmission and Alignment
Kevin Olson installing drive plate on a
5R55-S torque converter.
Of course, that transmission work
would have dropped dramatically even
if Ford hadn’t intervened. Today’s
transmissions are just lasting longer
than the ones those Ford dealers used to
send to Quality. So one way or another,
the late model Ford work was going to
dry up.
But even without the late model
Fords, Quality still handles a lot of
wholesale work for the other general
repair shops in the area. According to
Don, about half of the transmissions
they repair are wholesale jobs.
In this case, that could mean
anything from the shop pulling the trans
and bringing it to Quality or the shop
sending the customer to Quality for the
repairs and keeping their hands off the
transmission entirely.
In addition, they handle a number
of fleets in the area, including a nearby
plumbing and heating shop, a large
mechanical contractor, and others. And
of course, the difference between fleets
and wholesale is that fleets are more
concerned with getting their vehicles
back on the road quickly; price isn’t as
important to them.
But between wholesale, fleets, and
retail customers, Quality tends to stay
42 GEARS May 2018
1shop profile0518.indd 42
Setting up pump body for machining.
busy all year long.
Adding Alignment
One of the unique features of
Quality Transmission and Alignment
is right in their name: alignment. You
don’t see a lot of transmission specialty
shops including wheel alignment as
part of their business model. But as
Don explains, the connection makes a
lot of sense.
That’s because a majority of
today’s cars are front wheel drive, so
removing the transmission often means
disassembling the subframe. And, no
matter how carefully you do that, when
you put the subframe back together, the
alignment is going to change.
So a wheel alignment is a great
addition to their transmission repairs.
“We try to include an alignment with
every major transmission repair,”
explains Don.
But as we said before, alignments
aren’t a common service to combine
with transmissions. How did they make
that connection? “The guy who got me
started in 1972 in high school ended up
coming to work for me in 1983. And he
liked doing alignments, so when I built
the new shop, I included an alignment
rack especially for him.”
Those alignments quickly became
a lucrative part of their business, so,
while they’re primarily a transmission
shop, wheel alignments have become
a valued service they offer their
customers.
Occasional Remans
Quality Transmission is primarily
a transmission specialty shop, so most
of their transmission work involves
custom rebuilds. But occasionally
they’ll purchase a reman for one of their
customers.
“We’ll use remans on some foreign
cars, and we’ve used them on some
of the 6R140s; they just get too time-
consuming to rebuild in house,” explains
Don.
Of course, if a unit is too burned up
to make a custom rebuild cost effective,
that’s another situation when they’ll
recommend a reman.
While a lot of shops also consider
a reman for out-of-town customers, that
isn’t a common situation at Quality. “We
don’t have a lot of tourists visiting the
area,” explains Don, “so out-of-towners
aren’t a big consideration for us.”
4/30/18 9:15 AM
 Don & Sheila checking out upcoming appointments while Janna is on the phone performing
one of her favorite parts of her job – interacting with our customers.
But if it makes sense, they’re only
too happy to use a reman to provide
their customers with quick, reliable
service.
Great Service
As with so many other successful
shops, Don and his crew are focused
on providing honest repairs and quality
service at a fair price.
They must be doing something
right, because, after all these years in
business at the same location, they’ve
managed to maintain an A+ rating with
the Better Business Bureau.
Of course, there’s generally no
better way to keep your name out there
than with community service. And Don
is happy to contribute to local charities
and service groups in the community.
“We’ve been a member of the Chamber
of Commerce forever, the Kiwanis, and
a member of the Elks club.” He also
contributes to the local churches and
the YMCA.
Longtime ATRA Member
Quality Transmission has been
an ATRA Member since 1982; just a
short time after they first opened their
doors. Don had already been introduced
to ATRA’s benefits, so he knew how
important membership would be for the
success of his shop.
“One of the shop’s I’d worked
for before opening my business was
an ATRA Member, so I was already
familiar with the Association,” explains
Don. “I signed up shortly after we
opened.”
His reasons for joining? “The
technical information and the
nationwide warranty,” says Don. No
GEARS May 2018 43
1shop profile0518.indd 43
surprises there; probably the two most
common reasons for a shop to become
an ATRA Member.
Of course, the information services
are nothing like they were when
Don first opened his doors. Today’s
technology is changing at an alarming
rate. But Don was happy to point
out that ATRA has done a wonderful
job of keeping up with the changing
technology.
And, in addition to the information
services ATRA provides on line and
by phone, the technicians at Quality
Transmission also take full advantage
of the regional seminar program that
ATRA provides.
Success Depends on
Terrific Employees
One thing that Don was quick to
acknowledge was just how integral his
employees are to the success at Quality
Transmission. And he wanted to be
sure to take the time to thank them
individually for their contributions to
the business. “They’ve been with me a
long time,” says Don.
And that says a lot, not just about
the employees themselves, but also
about Don as an employer. Employees
don’t stay where they aren’t happy,
but many of Don’s staff have been
with Quality Transmission for years.
His desire to acknowledge them only
reinforces his respect for his team.
Kevin Olson is their head rebuilder
and diagnostician; he’s been with
Quality Transmission since 1982.
“Stubb” Hoesing came to Quality
in 1983 as a general technician. He
retired a few years ago, but his influence
is still felt there.
Jerry Prauner draining a transmission in
preparation for removal.
Jerry Prauner is their R&R
technician. He’s been with Quality
since 1985.
Janna Beeken has been the
company’s bookkeeper since 1986.
Steve Sampson came on in 1987 as
a transmission rebuilder.
Brad Carlson is the new guy at
Quality, having come on in 2013 to
replace “Stubb” when he retired. Brad
is their all-around technician and
diagnostician.
“I’d like to thank my employees
for all they do to keep us at the top of
our game,” says Don.
It’s nice to hear a shop owner who
remembers the contribution he receives
from his employees, so we’re only too
happy to include them in GEARS.
After Hours
While a big part of his day is spent
operating his shop, after hours Don is
pleased to head home to spend time
with his wife, Sheila. They have four
grown children: Jesse, Dusty, Kristina,
and Nicole.
Operating a successful
transmission repair business is hard.
Doing it in a small town can be even
harder. And remaining successful in
that environment for nearly 40 years is
nearly impossible.
But Don and his team at Quality
Transmission and Alignment have
managed to beat the odds. That says a
lot about their business model and their
dedication to serving the community.
We’re proud to have them representing
our industry in small town, Nebraska.
4/30/18 9:15 AM
 S T ER N 2018
I POWERTRAIN EXPO

OW
REG
OCT. 31ST - NOV. 3RD
W

!
LAS VEGAS, NV
O
hosted by

How To Register T
(800) 428-8489 Fax Reg form to:
N
or (805) 988-6761
(805) 604-2000

Send Reg form to:

powertrainexpo.com ATRA Expo Registration
2400 Latigo Ave
Oxnard, CA 93030

Stay at Bally’s and WIN! No

1
BOOK YOUR ROOM AT BALLY’S
- Call (800) 358-8777 and use code: SBATR8
or
- Go to PowertrainExpo.com ATRA Room Rate: $159
step Cut-off Date: October 1

BE ENTERED TO WIN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Free Have your standard VIP
Gain VIP access to the S
No
Diamond Lounge, Free
Suite room upgraded to a Diamond Parking, Front of the Line
Upgrade 1 bedroom suite, at Card

2
no extra charge! privileges, and more!

Airport
Ride from the
Limo
airport in style!
Transfer
Use on anything $100
you want, Visa
never expires! Gift Card

step *Random drawing will take place October 2, 2018. Only one winner per
shop will be eligible. Must be pre-registered to win.

ad template.indd 1 4/27/18 9:29 AM

 Schedule at a Glance
New
Wednesday 4pm - 5pm GM’s AF50 Aisin 8 Speed FWD - Mike Brown
5:15pm - 7pm Programming Problems & Solutions and more! - Keith Clark
Kick-off
Night!
October 31 4pm - 6pm What’s Working Industry & Consumer Survey Results - Dennis Madden & Rodger Bland

7am - 5pm Attendee Registration

8am - 9:30am Reference Voltage Test Tips You Should Know - Dan Marinucci
9:45am - 11:15am Mercedes “7G-DCT” 7 Speed Dual Clutch Transmission - Mike Souza
11:30am - 1pm Evaluating Rebuild Options When Time is Money - Randall Schroeder
Thursday 2pm - 3:30pm
3:45pm - 5:15pm
GM’s 10L90 vs Ford’s 10R80 - Robert Bateman
Diagnosing Intermittent Electrical Issues - Steve Garrett
November 1 5:30pm - 7pm Friction 101 - Chris Horbach
9am - 4pm Focus on the Solutions, Not the Problems - MaryAnn Croce
By the Numbers-Forwards & Backwards - Mario Jauregui & Thom Tschetter
Going Paperless Transformed My Business - John Braconnier & Thom Tschetter

8am - 5pm Attendee Registration

8am - 9:30am Tips and Tricks from the Builder’s Bench 2018 - John Parmenter
10am - 11:30am ZF’s Mechatronic - Dirk Fuchs
Friday 8am - 12pm Building a Winning Culture: Bring Out the Best In Your Best - Danny Sanchez
November 2 Don’t Just Sit There-Do Something! - Maylan Newton
12pm - 2pm ATRA Luncheon - sponsored by Raybestos
2pm - 7pm Trade Show Open
4pm - 6pm ATRA Chapter President’s Meeting Full Seminar
7pm - 9pm Transtar Cocktail Reception
Descriptions
online!
8am - 5pm Attendee Registration
9
1 8am - 9:30am Oxygen Sensors and Fuel Trims - Scott Shotton
8am - 9:30am Honda/Acura Transmission-Past, Present & Future - Sean Boyle
9am - 11am STAND OUT! Differentiate or Disappear - Larry Mersereau

Saturday 11am - 4pm Trade Show Open

November 3 3pm - 5pm MAF Sensors and Fuel Trims - Eric Ziegler
3pm - 5pm Making the Most of Your Diagnostic Equipment with Everyday Failures - Reese Blalock

3pm - 5pm They Just Don’t Understand! Getting Through Without Giving Up, or Giving In - Ron Hurst

3pm - 4pm ATRA Longtimer’s Meeting

5pm - 7pm ATRA Reception

www.powertrainexpo.com
ad template.indd 1 4/27/18 9:30 AM
 Registration Options
TRADE SHOW TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT COMPLETE
PASS CONFERENCE CONFERENCE CONFERENCE
Friday-Saturday Wed. - Saturday Wed. - Saturday Wed. - Saturday
(Nov. 2 - 3) (Oct. 31 - Nov. 3) (Oct. 31 - Nov. 3) (Oct. 31 - Nov. 3)

Access to Technical Seminars

Access to Management Seminars
Expo Tech Manual
Expo Tech Program Download
Expo Management worksheets
with leather binder
Expo Management Program Download
Coffee Breaks
Friday Luncheon
Friday & Saturday Cocktail Receptions
Friday & Saturday Trade Show
Audio recordings of both the
Technical & Management semnars
AS LOW AS AS LOW AS AS LOW AS AS LOW AS
$30 $395 $395 $445

New!

Payment Plans Available

YOUR MONTHLY PAYMENT
REGISTER IN
CAN BE AS LOW AS*
MAY $79 $79 $89
JUNE $99 $99 $112
Now an easier JULY $132 $132 $149
AUGUST $198 $198 $223
way to bring
TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT COMPLETE
your whole CONFERENCE CONFERENCE CONFERENCE
shop to Expo!
Call ATRA at (800) 428-8489 for details!
*Chart shows payments for 1 Registration at the Advanced Member price.
ATRA Payment Plan available only on Conference ticket purchases.

October 31 - November 3, 2018

ad template.indd 1 4/27/18 9:31 AM

 Registration Form
October 31 - November 3, 2018 • Las Vegas, NV
Company Name ATRA Account Number

Contact Person: (will receive all correspondence)

Address

City State Zip

Country Email Address

Area Code Phone No. Fax No.

( ) ( )
TO REGISTER: Call toll free 1-800-428-8489 or FAX this completed form to 805-988-6761
Badges will be issued from this list. Use a separate sheet for additional registrations. * CONFERENCES ADDITIONAL
(Includes Luncheon & Trade Show)
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY TICKETS
TITLE: Owner Manager Complete Trade Show Lunch &
Conference Technical Management Only Trade Show
Rebuilder Diagnostician
Other
NAME _______________________________________________________________________________
TITLE: Owner Manager
Rebuilder Diagnostician
Other
NAME _______________________________________________________________________________
TITLE: Owner Manager
Rebuilder Diagnostician
Other
NAME _______________________________________________________________________________
TITLE: Owner Manager
Rebuilder Diagnostician
Other
NAME _______________________________________________________________________________
TITLE: Owner Manager
Rebuilder Diagnostician
Other
NAME _______________________________________________________________________________

Discount for current ATRA Members only.

Join or renew today and enjoy the member discount right away!
Advanced Purchase Standard Pricing
Before Aug. 10th Aug. 11th - Oct. 5th ALL
REGISTRATION FEES Qty Member Non Mem Member Non Mem ON-SITE SUBTOTAL

Complete Conference Registrant* _____ $ 445 $ 545 $ 545 $ 645 $ 745 $____________
Technical or Management Conference* _____ 395 495 495 595 695 $____________
Trade Show Only _____ 30 30 30 30 40 $____________
Extra Luncheon Ticket - Includes Trade Show Pass _____ 50 60 50 60 75 $____________
(Included with Complete, Tech & Management Conferences)

*Conference Registrants may receive Trade Show Passes for spouse and/or TOTAL $____________
children by contacting ATRA Registration at 1-800-428-8489.
All cancellation requests made
after 10/1/2018 are subject to a
I do not wish to receive any advertising or promotional material from Exhibitors. $50 cancellation fee.

PAYMENT INFORMATION
* Check enclosed payable and mail to: ATRA, 2400 Latigo Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93030 Check # ______________
Charge to: * MasterCard * Visa * AMEX * Discover

Card Number___________________________________________________ Expiration Date Security Code

Print Name on Card__________________________________________________________ Signature __________________________________________

ad template.indd 1 4/27/18 9:31 AM

 POWER INDUSTRY NEWS
POWERTRAIN INDUSTRY NEWS
Sonnax Joins Marmon
Via Asset Sale
Steve Boyer, Sonnax President (left)
and Tommy Harmon, CEO (right).
Sonnax Industries, Inc. is pleased
to announce the sale of its assets to a
newly-created subsidiary of Marmon
Holdings, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway
company. The new company will
operate as Sonnax Transmission
Company. Terms of the acquisition
weren’t disclosed.
As an employee-owned company,
the sale was overwhelmingly approved
by vote of Sonnax employees. Steve
Boyer becomes president of Sonnax
Transmission, and will work closely
with Sonnax Industries CEO Tommy
Harmon to ensure a smooth transition
into Marmon.
“Joining Marmon affords Sonnax
employees the support and stability of
a very successful global organization
while maintaining its homegrown,
entrepreneurial feel,” Harmon said.
“Above all, this expands what we can
deliver to our customers, so our future
is bright.”
Marmon Holdings includes about
175 independent manufacturing and
service businesses with facilities in 23
countries and total revenues exceeding
$7.7 billion in 2017.
Sonnax Transmission joins
Marmon’s automotive aftermarket
group, whose businesses are well known
for providing innovative engineered
solutions for aftermarket installers.
Founded in 1978, Sonnax Industries
is an award-winning industry leader
in the design, manufacture, and
distribution of the highest quality
products to the automotive aftermarket,
commercial vehicle industries, and
industrial sectors using drivetrain
technology.
For more, visit www.sonnax.com.
48 GEARS May 2018
1PINS 0518.indd 48
GEARS does not endorse new products but makes this new information available
to readers. If you have a new product, please email the press release information
with applicable digital photo or drawing to apena@atra.com or send by mail to
GEARS, 2400 Latigo Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93030.
New 5R110
High Performance Solenoids
from MTS Diesel Performance
MTS Diesel Performance designed
and manufactures the EPC and Direct
Solenoid for the 5R110.
The EPC Solenoid (Part# 136431A-
S2) is designed to increase all
line pressure of the transmission.
Better clutch apply, better clutch
holding power, better converter lockup.
The Direct Solenoid (Part#
136422A-S2) works in conjunction
with the EPC Solenoid to
increase apply and holding
pressure on the Direct Clutches,
addressing the number 1 failure of the
5R110. MTS recommends replacing
both solenoids.
These solenoids are designed
for Increased Horsepower Vehicles!
and are not Compatible with Spartan
Tuners.
For more information call (800)
731-4510 or visit mts-diesel.com.
BMW Transfer Case
Clutches from Alto
Alto Products Corp now offers a
friction and steel clutch for the BMW
ATC300, ATC400, ATC500, and
ATC700 transfer cases.
These clutches are available
individually as Alto part numbers
138732-160(friction) and 138733-
120(steel). They’re both in stock and
ready for immediate delivery.
For more information on these new
BMW clutches and other products from
Alto, visit their catalog at www.altousa.
com.
Dana Introduces
Drivetrain Upgrades for
Jeep® Wrangler JL
Dana Incorporated has introduced
a new line of aftermarket Dana axles
and Spicer ® drivetrain components
for the Jeep Wrangler JL. The line of
drivetrain upgrades includes Ultimate
Dana 60™ front and rear axles, Spicer
Performance nodular iron differential
covers, chromoly axle shafts, bearing
kits, and expanded ratio gears.
For the serious off-roader, the Dana
aftermarket upgrades include heavy-
duty chromoly axle shaft replacements
for the stock units, and a range of
AdvanTEK® performance ring and
pinion gears so owners can select
their optimum ratio. For maximum
performance, owners can upgrade the
standard Dana axles with the Ultimate
Dana 60™ front and rear axles.
The Ultimate Dana 60™ axles are
bolt-in replacement upgrades for front
and rear axles on the Jeep Wrangler
JL. They are available in 3.73, 4.10,
4.88, and 5.38 ratios and come with an
Eaton® E-Locker. The axles feature:
• 35-spline, nickel chromoly steel axle
shafts designed for higher torque,
larger tires, and off-road punishment
• A greatly enhanced carrier with Spicer
performance ring and pinion gearing
• massive SPL® 70 u-joints, exclusive
to Dana
• full-float design for greater load-
carrying capacity
• upgraded, heavy-duty brakes with
plug-and-play antilock braking
system.
“Dana has been the OE supplier
of axles to Jeep for over 75 years,”
said Cirulis. “With that heritage, no
one knows the Jeep drivetrain better
than Dana. We want to be first when it
comes to ‘what’s next’ for Wrangler JL
aftermarket parts.”
Visit SpicerParts.com/Jeep for more
information.
4/27/2018 08:44:06
 Performance Automatic
Introduces New 6R80
Street Smart Systems
Performance Automatic now offers
6R80 Street Smart Systems for nearly
any Ford engine made. Enjoy the
acceleration of a 4.17:1 first gear and
a final drive ratio of 0.69:1 for the
ultimate in all purpose driveability.
Whether you have a Ford
performance crate engine or something
of your own design, they have you
covered, ranging from 2.0 Eco Boost to
572 CI big block Ford. This overdrive
transmission is built with performance
in mind, with a new street strip valve
body and lead frame, solenoids, and
performance clutches and steels to
handle the most demanding driver.
Coupled with our custom-built,
engine-specific torque converter and
transmission controller and wiring
harness, you’re well on your way to
making your car, truck, or street rod
a contemporary machine capable of
handling all open roads ahead of you.
All adapters and hardware to mate to
each application are included.
Backed by a 2-year warranty, you
can rest assured these Street Smart
Systems won’t leave you stranded or
disappointed:
PASS68100
6R80 6-Speed Modular
PASS68101
6R80 6-Speed 3.5 Eco Boost
PASS68102
6R80 6 Speed Small Block Ford
PASS68103
2011-and-up Coyote
PASS68105
2.0/2.3 Eco Boost
PASS68106
Big Block Ford
Visit www.performanceautomatic.
com for more information,
GEARS May 2018 49
1PINS 0518.indd 49
MAHLE Service Solutions
Introduces ShopPRO CAJ-25
Commercial Axle Jack
MAHLE
Service Solutions
has introduced the
ShopPRO CAJ-25,
a 25-ton commercial
vehicle axle jack
that is one of
the most reliable
and long-lasting
jacks of its type.
MAHLE recently
partnered with Gray
Manufacturing to
offer ShopPRO, a full
line of the highest
quality hydraulic and
pneumatic equipment
for the commercial
vehicle market.
The CAJ-25 offers 50,000 lbs. of
capacity, creating incredible flexibility.
The compact field-ready design and low
starting height of 8” makes the CAJ-25
ideal for shop use or road service work.
It features a long handle design for hard-
to-engage vehicles and large rubber
wheels for easy movement.
The CAJ-25 incorporates an air-
driven motor that powers the hydraulic
system, eliminating the manual
pumping process. It also includes a
patent-pending feature which allows
the user to reset the ram to the
minimum starting height without the
need for an air hose connection — an
industry first.
In addition, the CAJ-25 integrates
Black Hard Coating ™ ; an anti-
corrosive lifetime coating that protects
the threaded ram adjustment from the
elements, providing a long-lasting
and reliable service life. The unit has
multiple starting heights, with the acme
threaded screw extension and welded
steel frame construction, to create a
versatile and reliable jack.
It’s modular in design, allowing
users to maintain the jack by purchasing
replacement parts, eliminating the need
for a full replacement. This provides
additional customer value, less
downtime, and a low cost of ownership
over the lifetime of the product.
Visit www.servicesolutions.mahle.
com/en/products/shoppro-jacks-and-
lifting for more information.
New 6F35 Solenoids
from VTP South
Transmission Parts
VTP South Transmission Parts
carries the full line of late version 6F35
solenoids (part numbers 118971A and
118973A). When replacing a solenoid,
the replacement solenoid must have a
matching banding number in order for
the transmission to shift properly. The
new design solenoids are identified by
the white plastic on the connector side.
For more information visit
vtpsouth.com or call (800) 873-9770.
Joseph Larocca Joins
Stellar Automotive
Joseph A.
Larocca is the
newest addition
to the Stellar
Automotive
Group. Joining
the team in
March of this
year, he brings
a wealth of
industry knowledge to the table.
Hailing from Akron, Ohio, Joe
began his career at Tristar International
in Tallmadge, Ohio as their warehouse
manager, where he coordinated
and supervised shipment records,
warehouse layout/design, daily
operations, and product management.
During his 15-year stay at Tristar,
Joe was sent to Saudi Arabia on a
four-month assignment to set up a
warehouse and to coordinate operations
for an additional plant.
Taking what he learned at
Tristar, Joe applied this knowledge
as a transmission rebuilder, which
greatly broadened his awareness
and understanding of both hard and
soft parts. His rebuilding experience
ultimately catapulted him to Dexol
Industries Inc., an international
exporter based out of Akron, Ohio.
4/27/2018 08:44:08
 POWER INDUSTRY NEWS
Over his 15-year tenure at Dexol, Joe
transitioned from warehouse manager
to operations manager, handling cost
analysis in day-to-day warehousing
coordination, supply chain logistics,
and purchasing.
Joe was looking to leverage his
30+ years of industry experience by
taking on the mixed challenge of parts
and now lubricants, which led him to
Stellar Automotive and International
Lubricants. We can’t wait to give him
a run for his money; his extensive
capabilities will be leveraged in
cost analysis, warehousing, new
item development, and inventory
management.
Welcome aboard Joe!
Elite Gives First
Legacy Award to Former
Coach Jim Piraino
Elite has announced that Jim
Piraino, a past shop owner of 33
years and Elite Business Development
Coach of 16 years, has been named the
company’s first recipient of the Legacy
Award.
Elite saw the need for the Legacy
Award to give recognition to leaders
who’ve elevated the auto repair industry
through an unwavering commitment
to ethics and professionalism, and
through selfless contributions to other
shop owners.
The company says there could be
no better choice for the first recipient
of this award, as Jim Piraino spent
33 years running an award winning
shop, while giving back to the industry
through his involvement (president
and board member of ASCCA Ventura
Chapter, and ASA President’s Club
member, for example), and giving back
to his community through his shop’s
contributions to countless charities
and participation in several community
organizations.
50 GEARS May 2018
1PINS 0518.indd 50
After Piraino retired as a shop
owner, he spent the next 16 years
selflessly helping hundreds of shop
owners reach their goals and live
happier lives as an Elite Business
Development Coach.
“We created this award for people
exactly like Jim Piraino, who’ve put
helping others ahead of themselves at
every opportunity, and who’ve created
a legacy that could never be forgotten
in our industry,” said Bob Cooper,
president of Elite.
“Jim changes every life he comes
into contact with for the better, which
is why it’s such an honor to call him
a friend, and to give him this much-
deserved award.”
Visit Elite at www.EliteWorldwide.
com.
DEWALT Expands Battery
and Charger Offerings
DEWALT announces the continued
expansion of the FLEXVOLT®
System with the dual-voltage 20V/60V
MAX* FLEXVOLT® 12.0Ah Battery
(DCB612). In addition, DEWALT
announces the new 4-Port Fast Charger
(DCB104), which simultaneously
charges four FLEXVOLT® 12.0Ah
Batteries (sold separately) in 120
minutes. By combining long runtime
with fast charge time, DEWALT
reduces downtime on the jobsite.
The 20V/60V MAX*
FLEXVOLT® 12.0Ah Battery
(DCB612) is optimized for use in new
and existing DEWALT tools designed
for high-power applications. These
tools include the new 2100 Max Watts
Out (MWO) 9 in. 60V MAX* Cut-Off
Saw (DCS690) as well as the existing
2400 MWO 60V MAX* 7-1/4 in.
Worm Drive Style Saw (DCS577), the
1700 MWO 60V MAX* 4.5 in. to 6
in. Grinder (DCG414), and the 2100
MWO 120V MAX* 12 in. Double
Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw
(DHS790). DEWALT FLEXVOLT®
batteries are also backward-compatible
with most DEWALT 20V MAX* tools.
The 4-Port Fast Charger (DCB104)
not only charges the new 20V/60V
MAX* FLEXVOLT® 12.0Ah
Battery (DCB612), but it also offers
multiplatform versatility for use with
12V MAX* and 20V MAX* DEWALT
batteries.
Including through-hole wall
mounts, a cord wrap, and transport
handles, the Fast Charger can be
conveniently carried from truck to
tool crib. In addition, the 4-Port
Fast Charger is Tool Connect™ Tag
Ready™, providing a flat surface
where the Tag (sold separately) can be
attached.
For more information, visit www.
dewalt.com or follow DEWALT on
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and
LinkedIn.
Dow Performance Silicones
Debuts Antisqueak Additive
at CHINAPLAS 2018
Dow Performance Silicones, a
global business unit of DowDuPont
Specialty Products Division, is
launching at CHINAPLAS 2018
(in DuPont’s stand #7.2D61) DOW
CORNING™ HMB-1903 Masterbatch,
a unique, new silicone-based additive
technology developed to eliminate
squeaking in automotive interior
components.
This new, patented antisqueak
additive immediately and permanently
reduces coefficient of friction (COF) in
polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-
styrene (PC/ABS) parts to avoid noise
in the vehicle cabin.
Visit www.dow.com/automotive to
learn more.
4/27/2018 08:44:09
 SHOPPER CLASSIFIED ADS
GEARS Shopper advertising costs $325.00 for a one time insertion ad, (2 1/4 X 3) 2.25 X 3. Larger ads can be placed
elsewhere in the magazine and are charged at comparable rates. Check or money order must accompany all orders.
For information on Shopper advertising in GEARS, contact GEARS, 2400 Latigo Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93030, or call
(805) 604-2000.

ERIKSSON INDUSTRIES
Division of Wentworth Engineering

1-800-388-4418
Need Hard
Authorized Parts Distributor Parts?
•Reman Trans 6HP - 5HP - 4HP
•BMW - Audi - Jaguar - Range Rover
•Valve Bodies & Torque Converters

•MECHATRONICS - Programmed •
• Hard Parts: NEW / USED / REMANUFACTURED
Just Ask!
Soft Parts / Friction Kits / Steel Kits / Repair Manuals
• Lifetime Fluids / Rebuild Kits / Valvebody Kits

1-800-388-4418
Fax: (860) 395-0047
www.zftranspart.com 1.877.888.5160
146B Elm St., Old Saybrook, CT 06475

gcor-just-ask-2014-2.25x3-shopper.indd 1 12/1/13 7:18 PM

COMPUTERS
ECM TCM PCM BCM
Foreign & Domestic

Computer Module Specialist Engine Control Module (ECM)

Off Vehicle Flash Programming Transmission Control Module (TCM)

A/C PARTS
A/C COMPRESSORS A/C Parts Specialist

Accept Major Credit Cards One Year Warranty

AUTOCOMP
Technologies, Inc.
8515 North Freeway, Houston, TX 77037

888-217-4072

Stay in the loop on • Transfer Case Assemblies

all things Sonnax. with Encoder Motors
• Reman Transmissions
Follow us on • New & Reman Engines
facebook! • 3 yr./100,000 Mile Parts &
Labor Warranty
• Nationwide Delivery
• Truckload Pricing
Only at

GREEN BAY, WI
800-242-2844

GEARS May 2018 51

1shoppers0518.indd 51 4/30/18 9:17 AM

 SHOPPER CLASSIFIED ADS
GEARS Shopper advertising costs $325.00 for a one time insertion ad, (2 1/4 X 3) 2.25 X 3. Larger ads can be placed
elsewhere in the magazine and are charged at comparable rates. Check or money order must accompany all orders.
For information on Shopper advertising in GEARS, contact GEARS, 2400 Latigo Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93030, or call
(805) 604-2000.

BMW Mercedes-Benz Audi

Remanufactured to
Perfection
Hundreds of Transmissions in-stock.
Immediate installation available.
2 year unlimited warranty.
Dyno-tested.
Remanufactured torque converter included.

Toll free 800 - 372 - TRANS

1331 Rollins Road • Burlingame, CA 94010
tel 650 - 348 - 3990 fax 650 - 348 - 3019

FREE* WEBINARS!
The Future of
JOIN TODAY AT Training at
Members.atra.com Your Fingertips

(805) 604-2000

ATRA Webinars are presented every two

weeks from January to October.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Login at http://members.atra.com and
click on the webinar schedule under
the events menu. Once registered, you
will receive an email confirming your
registration along with the information
you need to join the webinar.

This and other technical webinars *Free for everyone on the

 Pushes 18,000 lbs up a 5% grade are made possible by; day of the webinar. ATRA
 Safe for use on plastic bumpers Members have access to all
pre-recorded webinars. See
 Variable Speed – Soft Touch Control
page 43 for details.
 Built-in 115V charging system
powerpusher.com
800-800-9274
©2018 Nu-Star, Inc.

52 GEARS May 2018

1shoppers0518.indd 52 4/30/18 9:17 AM

 Best!
Expect the
WE HAVE WHAT YOU NEED
FOREIGN & DOMESTIC
Standard Transmissions
Transfer Cases
Quality New & Used Parts
Remanufactured Rebuilt Units
Torque Converters *ONE CALL DOES IT ALL*
Distributorships Available
CALL
BRIAN OR ALBERT
Visit our website:
www.cvcconverters.com 866-571-GEAR
4 3 2 7
800.727.4461

NEED QUALITY
"When you understand how
CONVERTERS?
Chrysler 948TE
Rebuild Procedures the 948TE works and what
By Bill Brayton the TCM is using to control
Chrysler 948TE Rebuild Procedures

the shifts, the easier it’ll be

to diagnose it. And when our
Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Assocation
2400 Latigo Avenue
jobs are easier, we all have
Fun With Transmissions!"
Oxnard, CA 93030
805-604-2000
members.atra.com

– Bill Brayton
© 2015 ATRA. All Rights Reserved. Printed in USA.
ATM-948TE

Build them yourself with ATI’s

CW3 Converter Welding and
Overhaul System!
*Pick up the Chrysler 948TE
Rebuild Procedures from our
Bookstore today!
Call for a free catalog
(866) 464-2872 • (805) 604-2000 877-298-5003
members.atra.com www.cw3system.com
6718 Whitestone Road • Baltimore, MD 21207

CORES
We’ve
www.trans-tool.com
1-800-531-5978
Equipment Manufacturing Corp.

Got
Yours! Why buy foreign,
When you can buy
$4,995.00
In Stock
American Quality
With over 150,000 transmission, engine and Tools and parts
internal part cores on the shelf, we have the cores washers
you need _ ready to ship today! At an
Unbeatable Price!

Visit our website for more information,

YOUR SOURCE FOR CORES • RECYCLING • AUTO WRECKING
or the links below for our Parts Washers:
Las Vegas, NV Chicago, Il
800.426.8771 800.826.7403 www.partscrubber.info • www.partscrubberx.info
702.649.7776 773.624.6111

888-833-9000
702.649.6777 FAX 773.624.6660 FAX www.midipro.info
Find vintage cores on “Memory Lane” www.transmissionpartswashers.info

aamidwestcores.com www.equipmentmanufacturing.com

GEARS May 2018 53

1shoppers0518.indd 53 4/30/18 9:17 AM

 SHOPPER CLASSIFIED
GEARS classified advertising cost $95.00 for up to 50 words for a one time insertion. ATRA members are eligible to receive up to three (3) FREE classified
advertisements in GEARS annually (per 10 issues). Members wishing to place ads once their three FREE ads have been placed may do so at the cost listed
above. Ads exceeding the maximum word count will cost $1.50 for each additional word (not including phone number and address).
EXPLORE
our full line of high-precision
TORQUE CONVERTER
rebuilding equipment.
www.SuperFlow.com/gears | 1.888.442.5546
BUSINESS FOR SALE: Ville Platte,
Louisiana – Established reputable
business featured in October 2016 GEARS
magazine. Owner must retire for health
reasons. 2 inside bays with 1 outside truck
lift, Snap-On equipment, too much to list.
Also has an apartment in shop with full
kitchen. Contact Alan: (337) 363-4897.
ATRA Mbr
BUSINESS FOR SALE: Amarillo, Texas
– Established and reputable transmission
shop for over 20 plus years, 60X70 sq. ft.
shop with 20X30 sq. ft. add on build room,
4 semi truck trailers with parts, 5 lifts, 1
large-30,000 lbs. outside lift, Chassis dyno.
Too much equipment to list. Contact Teresa
(806) 372-2210. ATRA Mbr
BUSINESS FOR SALE: Pennsylvania
– area’s only transmission shop, 24 year
old successful business great reputation.
Business equipment and inventory; lifts:
flywheel grinder; parts washer; waste oil
heater; office equipment and software.
Located near Allegheny National Forest.
Excellent hunting, fishing, hiking, boating.
Lease available on building, turnkey
operation. Priced to sell. Owner wishes
to retire. Email PaTrannyShop@gmail.com
(814) 406-9440. ATRA Mbr
54 GEARS May 2018
1classfd0518.indd 54
May 2018
The leader in remanufactured valve bodies
FULL-FEATURED 48RE A CONVERSION THAT MIRRORS
OEM 48RE TV AND MAINLINE PRESSURE CURVES
FULL-FEATURED
DODGE 48RE
CONVERTED
100%
VERIFIE
D
VALVE BODY
RETAINS FACTORY 48RE COMPUTER
CONTROL ENGINE BRAKING & TCC OPERATION
VALVEBODYPROS.COM 408-287-4500
BUSINESS FOR SALE: Own a piece of
paradise. After 20 years in business I want
to retire. Paradise transmission has been
an ATRA member and an NAPA autocare
shop for 20 years with a great reputation.
Large 27,000 truck lift 3 twin post lifts
and 2 portable lifts, plus lots of shop
equipment. The Florida Keys is the fishing
and diving capital of the world. Call Bob
(305) 495-0461. ATRA Mbr
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: ATI Converter
Welder, ATI balancer, water tank, Warner-
Swasey #5 cut open lathe, ACER 1740G
machine lathe, many 8”, 9” and 10” cores
for performance converters. $35,000., Can
send pictures, Call: (217) 622-4128.
WANTED: 1965-1986 Ford C4/C5 valve
bodies. Must be non rusted/rebuildable
units. Any quantities accepted, will pay up
to $50.00 per unit. Contact Performance
Automatic for details. (240) 439-4650
8-5 EST M-F or email: edrozzelle@
performanceautomatic.com.
HELP WANTED: $5000 Sign on Bonus for
qualified candidates - Career Opportunity in
sunny Clearwater Florida. Family business,
offers sign on bonus for an ATRA Certified
Builder, R&R Driveability Technician
& Manager to work for busy spacious
6000 sq. ft. shop. Alltech Transmission’s
is seeking highly motivated talent to
operate a 45 year business. We specialize
in transmissions. Must have a superior
skill set with a winning attitude. Benefits,
Stock Options & Health Insurance. Email
Resume: Nicolecapital@live.com.
ATRA Mbr
HELP WANTED: West Central
Florida Transmission Shop seeking
highly motivated Electrical Diagnostic
Transmission Technician - Must have
knowledge in re-flashing - Wiring diagrams
- R & R capabilities - Must have own tools
- Minimum 5 years transmission experience
- No weekends – Pay dependent upon
experience - Excellent benefits - Email
resume to brktrans@yahoo.com or call
Chris at (352) 796-6544. ATRA Mbr
HELP WANTED: San Diego's largest,
longest running independently owned
transmission repair specialist is looking
for qualified diagnosticians and sales
managers. With 3 locations you'll have
plenty of support and opportunities for
growth. Competitive pay, state of the art
facilities, plenty of reliable professionals
to call your teammates and sunshine all
year round. Call: (626) 863-4958 or email:
chadmferrell@gmail.com. ATRA Mbr
HELP WANTED: Position opening –
Automatic Transmission Rebuilder.
Domestic/Foreign, disassemble, inspect:
find the point of failure, reassemble
transmission, etc. R&R: remove and
reinstall transmission, diagnosis
transmission, technical issues, necessary
repairs, transmission services. This is
a part/full time position with competitive
compensation. Please contact Christina
at (925) 228-9000 or email: macyauto@
att.net. ATRA Mbr
HELP WANTED: TransGo is looking to fill
a Research and Development Engineering
Associate position. The qualified candidate
must be willing to relocate to the greater Los
Angeles area. Please email your resume to
Employment@Transgo.com. ATRA Mbr
4/30/18 9:16 AM
 Don't Miss the ATRA SEMINAR Near You!

ATRA TECHNICAL SEMINARS

5/5 - Concord, CA 6/2 - Vancouver, BC 6/2 - Council Bluffs, IA 800.428.8489
8/4 - San Antonio, TX 8/11 - Atlanta, GA 8/18 - Anaheim, CA
http://members.atra.com
MEMBERS.ATRA.COM
8/25 - Portland, OR 8/25 - Tulsa, OK 9/8 - Billings, MT

ATRA'S POWERTRAIN EXPO 2018 • OCT. 31ST - NOV. 3RD

HELP WANTED: Hard Parts Product
Manager. International manufacturer seeks
a product manager for its growing line of
new, used, and rebuilt hard parts. Duties
include product development, sales, and
marketing. If you are a self starter with an
entrepreneurial spirit contact Alto Products
at hr@altousa.com. ATRA Mbr
HELP WANTED: Join the Raybestos®
Powertrain team! Field sales positions
are now open in multiple locations in the
U.S. We’re looking for experienced and
motivated transmission professionals to
promote Raybestos Powertrain products
to distributor branches and transmission
shops. Experience selling transmission
products, training, or rebuilding transmissions
preferred. If you know the inside of a
transmission and a transmission shop, we
want to talk to you. Send resume to careers@
raybestospowertrain.com. ATRA Mbr
HELP WANTED: NATIONAL
EMPLOYMENT HEADQUARTERS FOR
THE TRANSMISSION INDUSTRY.
Fast, Easy and Free service to industry
employees! Low cost and an easy way to
recruit nationwide for shop owners! Serving
the transmission industry since 1997. Visit
our website at: www.transteam.com or call
us toll free at: (888) 859-0994.

Subscribe Today! X
Grab Your GEARS Now! I want my very own subscription
to the next 10 issues of GEARS.

Name _____________________________________ Phone _______________________________

Address______________________________ City ________________ State ______ Zip __________
Signature________________________________________________

U.S. $30 ~ Canada $45 ~ Other Areas $65 — Please enclose check or money order in U.S. funds and send to:
GEARS • 2400 LATIGO AVENUE • OXNARD, CALIFORNIA 93030, or call: (805)604-2000

GEARS May 2018 55

1classfd0518.indd 55 4/30/18 9:16 AM

 ADVERTISERS
NamePage NamePage

ATRA Powertrain Expo���������������������������������������������������������������44-47 Precision International��������������������������������������������������������������������� 27

www.powertrainexpo.com www.transmissionkits.com

ATRA Seminars��������������������������������������������������������������������������38-39 Raybestos Powertrain��������������������������������������������������������������������� 17

members.atra.com www.raybestospowertrain.com

Dura-Bond Bearing Company��������������������������������������������������������� 35 NATPRO - National Transmission Products�������������������������������� OBC

www.dura-bondbearing.com www.natpronet.com

ETE Reman��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 Sonnax Transmission Company��������������������������������������������������� IFC

www.etereman.com www.sonnax.com

Ford Customer Service Division������������������������������������������������������ 23 StillClean����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 25

www.fordparts.com www.stillclean.com

GearSpeed........................................................................................7 Superior Transmission Parts����������������������������������������������������������� 19

www.gearspeedpartsstore.com www.superiortransmission.com

Jasper Engines & Transmissions�������������������������������������������������� IBC Sussex Auto Parts, Ltd. .����������������������������������������������������������������� 33
www.jasperengines.com www.sussexautos.co.uk

LUBEGARD®, A Stellar Automotive Group Company��������������������� 31 Transmission Specialties����������������������������������������������������������������� 29

www.lubegard.com www.tsirace.com

MTS Midwest Transmission Supply������������������������������������������������ 33 Transtar Industries, Inc. ������������������������������������������������������������������ 11

www.midwesttransmission.com www.transtar1.com

Precision European, Inc. ���������������������������������������������������������������� 55 Whatever It Takes Transmission Parts, Inc. ����������������������������������� 15
www.PEIus.com www.wittrans.com

ATRA Supplier Members

Reserve your free table top display for the
2018

ATRA 2018 technical seminar series today!

Call (805) 604-2018

See ATRA Seminar

Schedule information at:
members.atra.com
Also see pages 38 and 39.

56 GEARS May 2018

listo 0518.indd 56 4/27/2018 08:26:29

Ads_May2018.indd 502 4/27/2018 08:56:19
 Continuing to Invest and Grow in the West!

OUR JOB is to make

YOUR JOB easier.
• Best Fill Rate in the Industry
• Top Notch Customer Service
• Technical Support
• Quick, Convenient Delivery
• On-Trac, UPS and GSO Available

We Bring You The Best:

CONCORD, CALIFORNIA ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA PHOENIX, ARIZONA

145 Mason Cir # B 1927 E. Cedar Street 675 Gateway Center Drive, Suite B 1450 N 26th Ave
Concord, CA 94520 Ontario, CA 91761 San Diego, CA 92102 Phoenix, AZ 85009
Phone: (925) 798-8504 Phone: (909) 443-5920 Phone: (619) 281-6600 Phone: (602) 415-9509

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA LAS VEGAS, NEVADA SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
5151 Heliotrope Ave 4212 Roseville Rd, Suite A 3744 Meade Ave # 12 1095 Andover Park E
Vernon, CA 90058 North Highlands, CA 95660 Las Vegas, NV 89102 Seattle, WA 98188
Phone: (323) 562-2111 Phone: (916) 830-4370 Phone: (206) 892-3270
Phone: (702) 247-4150

©2017 National Transmission Products, LLC. All rights reserved. natpronet.com

Ads_May2018.indd 504 4/27/2018 08:56:21