YACT - Transmission problems and steering...

[Black88GTA]

I just got a truck (1992 GMC Vandura 3500 chassis, 350 V8), and it works "ok" but it has a couple problems.

First, I'll be cruising along @ 65 or so, and the transmission (automatic) just kind of pops out of gear. When I let off the gas a little, it catches again. Could this be something simple (i.e. add fluid), or is the trans toast?

ALso, the steering seems to work OK (no looseness, etc) but when I"m going straight, the wheel is cocked to the right, and when I stop the brakes pull hard right. Could these problems be related? An alignment possibly fix this?

Any help is appreciated!

 

[NutBucket]

Does it pop out of gear or is the TQ slipping?

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
Does it pop out of gear or is the TQ slipping?

It pops out of gear. I'll be driving, and feel the transmission disengage and the truck will start slowing down. If I push the gas harder, the motor revs up but the truck doesn't acclerate. However, if I let off the gas slightly after it slips out, it re-engages.

One other thing I should mention...if I mash the gas from a stop, 9 times out of 10 it accelerates VERY slowly - like it dropped into a really low gear. Maybe related to the slipping? I don't know much about transmissions 🙁

I have to take this truck on a long trip tomorrow, and am trying to figure out if it's worth taking in or not.

 

[jlee]

ALso, the steering seems to work OK (no looseness, etc) but when I"m going straight, the wheel is cocked to the right,

An alignment should fix the steering wheel issue.

and when I stop the brakes pull hard right.

Brakes need work -- possibly the left pads/caliper(s) are shot?

 

[NutBucket]

Well, on the bright side those trannys are a dime a dozen😉

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: CadetLee

ALso, the steering seems to work OK (no looseness, etc) but when I"m going straight, the wheel is cocked to the right,

An alignment should fix the steering wheel issue.

and when I stop the brakes pull hard right.

Brakes need work -- possibly the left pads/caliper(s) are shot?

I thought the alignment would fix the steering...however, I took it in to have the brakes checked out, and they said there was "nothing wrong" with them, and that the pads were nearly new. That's why I thought the alignment may be to blame. Looks like it may be time to take it in to another place...

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
Well, on the bright side those trannys are a dime a dozen😉

Heh...I figured they would be, but I've got to go on a long drive tomorrow 🙁. Hopefully it will hold up.

 

[Evadman]

The brake issue can havea few causes, but it is likely an air bubble in the passenger side brake line. Bleed the system. It can also be a stuck caliper or pad, a bad line, and some other crap.

The transmission is a 700r4 I believe, which has an annoying ~50% throttle kickdown from overdrive. if it is not the kickdown, then your trans is slipping. It iwll only get worse.

I also believe there are 2 recalls on the early 90's vandura for brakes. One on the rotors and one on the master cyl. I don't remember what they are though, its been a while. I am also pretty sure there was a neutral safety switch recall as well on the tranny.